Idle thoughts: why is the G string string "1"?

[lermgalieu]

I installed some Labella strings last night, and they have those little handy die on them that tell you which is which (even though it's obvious). And it made me wonder - when you see tab, instructional books or setup guides that reference the strings on a 4-string bass, they always call the G string "1" and the E string "4." I believe this is true of 5 strings and guitars as well. It makes no sense to me, which might be just because I am a bassist. To me, just like I read left to right, I think of a string instrument from the lowest note up. So if I was in charge, the E string would be #1. Of course, I am not in charge, even in my own house, so this will remain an idle musing.

 

[michael_t]

So if I was in charge, the E string would be #1.

And what would you call the low B? 0 or -1?

 

[lermgalieu]

And what would you call the low B? 0 or -1?

On a 5 string, B would be 1. Look, if you use the existing numbering, the "1" changes depending on what the high string is anyway, so it really doesn't cause any more problems than the current way.

 

[michael_t]

On a 5 string, B would be 1. Look, if you use the existing numbering, the "1" changes depending on what the high string is anyway, so it really doesn't cause any more problems than the current way.

I was just idly musing... That's all.

 

[Inara]

Interesting ... I've always thought opposite of you, i.e., highest pitch string being 1. When I tune, I always start with the highest pitch string, for example. But as for why, I wonder if the origin of the numbering is due to the violin family: with a violin on your left shoulder, the string closest to your bowing and plucking hand is the highest pitched string.

 

[lermgalieu]

Interesting ... I've always thought opposite of you, i.e., highest pitch string being 1. When I tune, I always start with the highest pitch string, for example. But as for why, I wonder if the origin of the numbering is due to the violin family: with a violin on your left shoulder, the string closest to your bowing and plucking hand is the highest pitched string.

Yeah dunno. I always tune my E first. When setting up a bass/installing strings, I pluck the nearest fairly tuned bass (they are all around me) and rough the E by ear, then tune everything from there upwards, then when I am done go back and precise tune with a tuner. Whatever, I mean nothing is "right," so this could just be me!

 

[Inara]

Yeah dunno. I always tune my E first. When setting up a bass/installing strings, I pluck the nearest fairly tuned bass (they are all around me) and rough the E by ear, then tune everything from there upwards, then when I am done go back and precise tune with a tuner. Whatever, I mean nothing is "right," so this could just be me!

I'm really curious as to the origin of the numbering now .. I've never really thought about it before lol

 

[DCCat]

And what would you call the low B? 0 or -1?

Likewise for the High C.

 

[lermgalieu]

Likewise for the High C.

The same problem exists with numbering them from the top. If the highest string is always 1, then "1" isn't a fixed frequency/string. If the lowest string is always "1", same thing but reversed. The issue isn't putting an absolute number on each string/frequency; I don't think the current way of doing is attempting to do that either (that's why notes have letters). The question is whether you start at the top or the bottom of whatever instrument/number of strings you have.

 

[lermgalieu]

But yea, maybe my thread should be named "why is the HIGHEST string always '1'?"

 

[dbsfgyd1]

And what would you call the low B? 0 or -1?

5

 

[dbsfgyd1]

5

5. We do call them “5 String” Basses after all and what is the difference? A thicker One String?

 

[michael_t]

5. We do call them “5 String” Basses after all and what is the difference? A thicker One String?

I was simply responding to the OP's suggestion the E string should be #1 with the G being #4. This is all supposed to be "idle musing", remember?

 

[chadds]

Some people remove the G string last.

 

[RattleSnack]

It must have to do with naming (numbering) strings on guitar, and naming on guitar originates on classical instruments.
And why do classical instruments have such naming/numbering is probably just tradition, without some great explanation.

 

[Mechanical]

Some people remove the G string last.

I see what you did there.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I don't think I've ever seen a bass tab call a certain string a number. It's always frets and I think we'll unanimously agree that fret #1 is the one closest to the nut.

 

[Pings Bass]

Smallest string gets smallest number. Makes sense to me.

When I taught, that was pretty easy to convey. But the highest pitch string being the lowest in relation to the floor caused all manner of confusion with beginners.

 

[lermgalieu]

Smallest string gets smallest number. Makes sense to me.

When I taught, that was pretty easy to convey. But the highest pitch string being the lowest in relation to the floor caused all manner of confusion with beginners.

Acknowledged, but still doesn't make sense to me. Lowest string is closest to me. Notation even starts at the bottom and proceed alphabetically and physically upwards.

 

[nickpc]

It's the same as numbering floors - the one closest to the ground is 1 and count up from there.

Except where that is "Ground" and 1 is the 1st floor above the ground level...