do you prefer to play lower on the neck closer to the nut on the E string for your root or do your play the root higher up on your B string I know its a tonal choice, preference and opinion but which do you choose?
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Question for 5 string players?
- Thread starter Milk_Steak
- Start date
I am comfortable in many positions. Really depends on what I am doing but I do not prefer one over the other, I use both. For really repetitive songs I've been known to do both. Just to cut back on the boredom. That is if it doesn't adversely effect the song some how.
Means2nEnd
Supporting Member
Depends on tuning and what I'm doing in the song. I tune B, D, A, D, G 99% of the time and I like the tone of the second fret E on the E string. If youre standard it will ring more and be a little louder as an open string note. Good for chorus and build ups. Nice laid back verse the B string E is mellow and won't stand out as much. I see it as a pallet of colors the same note in different positions on the neck. Up on the B presents efficiency of movement most times as well.
Of course it's not an absolute rule, folks...
...resist the urge to have the definitive answer.
I LOVE the shorter scale notes 5 frets up and a string down.
I can play big and fuzzy and fat all day up there and drop down the neck to drop big bombs.
That being said, I so often forget about playing open strings as I would on a 4 string that I should probably hold off with the fatman basslines sometimes.
...resist the urge to have the definitive answer.
I LOVE the shorter scale notes 5 frets up and a string down.
I can play big and fuzzy and fat all day up there and drop down the neck to drop big bombs.
That being said, I so often forget about playing open strings as I would on a 4 string that I should probably hold off with the fatman basslines sometimes.
This more than likely has a lot to do with my bad bass, but i defenitly prefer playing in as low of position as possible on the E when it comes to things like that. I think the tone rings out a lot better than playing on fret 5 B, and cuts in the mix more, but again just my bass more than likely. I also prefer this because I play both 4 strings and 5 strings interchanglably very often. This makes it easier to pick up a 4 string. The only time I ever root my hand on the E on the B string is if I'm playing some lick that invlolves all 5 strings in one position. Also, playing with an open E allows for an open string obviously. I can play a lot cooler licks when i have open notes in the key signature, especially when i have the tonic as an open string.
