Playing drop D on a 5 string...

[DavC]

I always found while playing 5 strg ... I just ignored drop tunings ... I just wanna know the key/chords ..
in normal tuning , your hands/fingerings just won't look the same as the gtrs .. ! only You can figure out what feels and sounds right to you ... and which setup is most convenient ... if you tune down , you'll need to play everything up a step for songs in normal E tuning .. !? if you play in normal tuning , playing those tunes/licks from D, and across the 3rd fret, will definitely strengthen some fingers .. !!

 

[stigbeve]

I would just stick with a 4 string and drop the E to D

 

[Joeynone]

I play 5 string and we tune e standard and drop d and I have to flip flop a lot. I played 4 for the majority of time in my band... So for d songs I just drop my e so I do BDADG. It's easy to get used to. I just use my b to get real low when I need to thicken my parts

 

[Ric5]

For a 5 I prefer BEADG ... I have also tried ADGCF ... and DGCFA# could also work for you

 

[tuba_samurai]

On the occasions that I have played drop D on 5 string it has been BDADG. I simply ignored the B string. Nowadays, I switch to a bass specifically tuned for DADG.

 

[static0verdrive]

I don't like playing in drop D because my fingers are short and stretching 5 or 6 frets isn't easy. It's one reason I switched to 5 string a few years ago. My band's guitarist plays a 7-string and tunes standard most of the time, even though we play several songs that were originally done in drop D. The one I tune down for is Slither, which I found difficult in standard. My advice is to try it both ways and see what works best.

This post has my vote (and similar experience).

 

[friendlybass]

I personally drop the E and B strings so that I'm tuned ADADG but! Since you're new to the fiver learn both! It'll help you get used to it all

 

[obimark]

It depends on how the original was played- for many of the heavier tunes where bouncing off that D-tuned E -string is vital (ALA slither), there is no way to do it justice on a standard tuned 5er. It ain't happening. (unless you drop your E-string)

 

[Marley's Ghost]

I play most with the D on the B string. For "Slither" I drop the E to D cause I'm just not good enough to play it on the B.

 

[Jughead6]

FWIW my 5er is now tuned DGCFA# to do the silly stuff my guitarist sometimes likes to play. I never really made much use of a low B when it was tuned BEADG, other than to shake the foundations and scare small burrowing animals.

I once toyed with the idea of tuning it DEADG, with the low D string being a 0.105 and the E string being a 0.100. But buying strings became too complicated, and I like having extra notes in the upper register anyway.

Now, I have to buy 6 string sets to get the high A# string, which is still a bit of a PITA.

 

[Spectrum]

I have tried playing Tool on a fiver and it just doesn't work. A lot of their lines rely on that open low D string, either for bouncing or for droning, and they were written on four-string basses.

 

[Gearhead17]

FWIW my 5er is now tuned DGCFA# to do the silly stuff my guitarist sometimes likes to play. I never really made much use of a low B when it was tuned BEADG, other than to shake the foundations and scare small burrowing animals.

I once toyed with the idea of tuning it DEADG, with the low D string being a 0.105 and the E string being a 0.100. But buying strings became too complicated, and I like having extra notes in the upper register anyway.

Now, I have to buy 6 string sets to get the high A# string, which is still a bit of a PITA.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] sells individual strings - this might help you out in the future. They have a pretty good selection too.

 

[Jughead6]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] sells individual strings - this might help you out in the future. They have a pretty good selection too.

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, shipping costs to Australia are horrendous and it is easier for me to simply buy 6 string sets locally. Australia has a great selection of beaches but a terrible selection of bass products

 

[Gearhead17]

I have tried playing Tool on a fiver and it just doesn't work. A lot of their lines rely on that open low D string, either for bouncing or for droning, and they were written on four-string basses.

Exactly. To play so

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, shipping costs to Australia are horrendous and it is easier for me to simply buy 6 string sets locally. Australia has a great selection of beaches but a terrible selection of bass products

That really sucks! I did not realize you were in Australia. I glazed over that detail. At least you have some backup strings right?

 

[Amrit Karki]

Standard tuning and just play the notes only ... That might be easier for you now ..... Later you can get all the infos automatically ... (Y)

 

[bassmeknik]

I was asked to perform "Slither" in my last band and found it very challenging to play on a standard tuned 5er. I have several 4's to use but was otherwise able to play through the night on one 5 string bass at that time so I used a capo on the 3rd fret to get through Slither. I now often carry 2 basses (a 4; Squier VM Jazz and a 5; Dingwall Combustion) to most gigs and the 4 has a Hipshot D tuner. IMO they are a must for a stage performer who must switch back and forth from standard to drop D tunings. There has been a few songs mentioned in this thread that are really written for a drop tuned 4 string bass. If you are asked to play one of them it is up to you how to accomplish your goal. I use standard tuning for everything and the D tuner gets me through drop D songs requiring an open D string (or a capo on your 5er if you are creative). I like the idea of installing a D tuner on the E string of your 5er. I will likely try this on my next bass.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

I was asked to perform "Slither" in my last band and found it very challenging to play on a standard tuned 5er.

Thanks man. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one that can't finger that song on the B.