• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Learning 5-string made me a better 4-string player

Rod Barchetta

Rod Barchetta

Nov 1, 2020
1,145
3,397
64
Davie, FL.
www.youtube.com
#1
I decided I was going to learn to play 5-string after playing 4 string for over 30 years. The only way was full immersion. Put the 4-stringers away and play only 5 until it was just as natural as the 4. I was prepared to practice as long as it took. It took me three or four weeks.

When I finished I found that by becoming accustomed to the tighter string spacing, my playing stroke had to become more compact. It ended up making me faster. When I went back to the 4 string, I brought that same stroke technique and the floating thumb to my playing style. I now find I play the 4 string faster and cleaner.

When I slap I really prefer the 4 string just so I don't ever have to worry about banging into the B string (I like to go a little crazy when I slap, who doesn't?). But in most other cases, I have no problem or preference to playing either. I am just as comfortable with 16.5 mm spacing as 19 mm. I think now I prefer the tighter spaced 5 string so my left hand has no problem reaching across the fretboard. It definitely makes chords a lot easier. But I'm pretty sure I could play a 19 mm spaced 5 string almost as easily.

The bottom line is it definitely made me a better bass player. Just one bass player's experience. I would be interested in hearing yours.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WillyW and lowdownthump
#2
I’ve always been a 5’er. I picked up a gig and bought a 4 to force me to learn it. Did the same thing with a 6 later on. Weird how each instrument requires a really different approach. It was harder for me to go from 5 to 4 than it was to go from 5 to 6 because i tropically anchor my thumb on the low b most of the time. Very fun though. For the record, I no longer own a 4 though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rod Barchetta
#4
Jrussblues said:
I’ve always been a 5’er. I picked up a gig and bought a 4 to force me to learn it. Did the same thing with a 6 later on. Weird how each instrument requires a really different approach. It was harder for me to go from 5 to 4 than it was to go from 5 to 6 because i tropically anchor my thumb on the low b most of the time. Very fun though. For the record, I no longer own a 4 though.
Click to expand...

I have read that many players that learn the 5 sell all their 4s. I have six of them and they aren't going anywhere. I may pick up another 5 one day. But it's going to have to be something special.

I really like the 5 on blues tunes. Most of the songs my band covers doesn't need the 5, but if you change keys to help the singer, the 5 comes in handy.
 
#5
Rod Barchetta said:
I have read that many players that learn the 5 sell all their 4s. I have six of them and they aren't going anywhere. I may pick up another 5 one day. But it's going to have to be something special.

I really like the 5 on blues tunes. Most of the songs my band covers doesn't need the 5, but if you change keys to help the singer, the 5 comes in handy.
Click to expand...

Once I made the switch to a 5, I sold all my 4's. They just felt weird and the back. Uncomfortable, and strange, going back and forth felt pointless. Can't see myself owning a 4 again because even in a scenario where I don't need a 5, I prefer the spacing and neck of a 5.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rod Barchetta
#9
Rod Barchetta said:
I have read that many players that learn the 5 sell all their 4s.
Click to expand...
I'll never sell my XL2 but I play the 6s mostly and only one of the 5s on occasion.

I agree with your comments re technique variations between the different string configs and playing different spacing does help how you change your thinking about how and what you play - I find the "I can only play 4's" mindset a little odd and I'm surprised there's not a few comments like that in this thread.

I much prefer 16.5mm now for everything except the SS6s (SRC6, 10.8mm) as I fingerpick them like my guitars.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rod Barchetta
#10
Well I find myself playing more and more 5 string. 16.5 mm seems more and more natural. But I'm not ready to throw out all my fours.

I'm selling my 4 string Sire P7 for a 5 string Sire P7. This bass has 18 mm spacing, so I will see how that affects my technique. For the record, Sire makes an amazing bass guitar, especially for the price.
 
#11
Rod Barchetta said:
I decided I was going to learn to play 5-string after playing 4 string for over 30 years. The only way was full immersion. Put the 4-stringers away and play only 5 until it was just as natural as the 4. I was prepared to practice as long as it took. It took me three or four weeks.

When I finished I found that by becoming accustomed to the tighter string spacing, my playing stroke had to become more compact. It ended up making me faster. When I went back to the 4 string, I brought that same stroke technique and the floating thumb to my playing style. I now find I play the 4 string faster and cleaner.

When I slap I really prefer the 4 string just so I don't ever have to worry about banging into the B string (I like to go a little crazy when I slap, who doesn't?). But in most other cases, I have no problem or preference to playing either. I am just as comfortable with 16.5 mm spacing as 19 mm. I think now I prefer the tighter spaced 5 string so my left hand has no problem reaching across the fretboard. It definitely makes chords a lot easier. But I'm pretty sure I could play a 19 mm spaced 5 string almost as easily.

The bottom line is it definitely made me a better bass player. Just one bass player's experience. I would be interested in hearing yours.
Click to expand...
That is really funny! I'm doing the same thing right now and finding the same result. I recently bought an Ibanez BTB745 after wanting one for 20 years and it is Awesome! I find my playing is much better on my P bass than before. Having a low B is Awesome! Still love my 4s but 5 is great too. Thanks for the post, it's good to know I'm not the only one that wanted to attempt to master 4 strings before 5.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rod Barchetta
#13
Come back when you get to church organ. :cool:


...

Just kidding. :p

---


This is as true for almost every other instrument too.

Learning how to play a different instrument, whatever that might be, than 4 string bass will make you a better 4 string bass player.

I started out learning how to play guitar and did so for a couple of years or so, before picking up a bass and falling in love with the sound and feel of it, soon having my main focus and becoming my main instrument of choice, as it turned out I really had been thinking much more like a bassist than a guitarist, but already having some useful theory and techniques that could be transferred to bass it made me a better bass player, and with time playing bass actually also made me a much better guitarist.

And I am quite convinced that this is not only true for instruments that share some similarities, like for instance electric guitar and bass, or in your case 4 string bass and 5 string bass, but would have been equally true if one had started out on for example drums, or even piano, saxophone or flute, and then converted to mainly playing bass.
 
Last edited:
#14
I’ve been playing 5’s only for about 15 years and recently picked up a cheap 4 (Ibanez TMB100) to keep in my work truck. Of course since I’m at work longer than I am at home, I play the 4 90% of the time. I found that after playing the 5’s for so long, I definitely play the 4-string a lot cleaner, especially with slap technique. The the 5, I have learned to make minimal motion with the thumpin’ and pluckin’ hand in order to be more precise and energy efficient. Transferred that to the 4, works great. I’m actually considering getting a higher quality 4 since I don’t have one…like a USA G&L JB
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rod Barchetta
#15
I sold my only 4 string in 1991 to buy a 5 string. Since then...
bought 3 other 5 strings. A 5 string is also a 4 string with a great thumb rest.
Recently bought a 4 string for fun but 19-20 mm is throwing my plucking hand
off on fast runs.
 
#16
MrLenny1 said:
I sold my only 4 string in 1991 to buy a 5 string. Since then...
bought 3 other 5 strings. A 5 string is also a 4 string with a great thumb rest.
Recently bought a 4 string for fun but 19-20 mm is throwing my plucking hand
off on fast runs.
Click to expand...

I understand; it is amazing the difference a few millimeters make.

But you have to remember all the great bass lines that came out long before 5 strings were around. I play all my 4 string songs on my 5 so it becomes natural no matter which I use. But there are songs that just call out for the 4 string. I think having the flexibility to go between differently spaced bass guitars is a quality worth developing.

I read Billy Sheehan has a 4 string bass with BEAD strings so he can play 5 string parts on his 4 stringer. So there are other ways to skin a cat. But I think having a 5 string bass is almost a necessity now. If I can only bring one to the gig, it will have to be my 5 string.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back