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Should I learn 4 string or 5 first?

D

DBeeson

Jun 1, 2011
4
1
U.K.
#1
Hi. I've been lurking for a while but this is my first post! Please forgive me if I missed a decent answer to this on the search!

I've just started learning on an old entry level 4 string Yamaha bass, but I'm wondering if I'm making a mistake. Quite a lot of the music I like seems to be on 5 string basses, so I'd like to play 5 string eventually.

What I'm wondering is if I'm making things harder for myself by learning on a 4 string and then moving to a 5 string later, or whether it would be better to buy a 5 string now and learn on that before I get too used to 4 string and have to unlearn any techniques?

Thanks for any advice you might have!
 
#2
The majority of music past and present is done with 4string bass. The majority of pro players play 4 string bass. Get and learn 5string if you specifically are going to be doing music that needs lowB string. 5string necks are wider then four string ones so finding mfg whose fivers are with very comfortable necks is going to be a main thing.
 
#6
Hi, DB. Welcome to TB!

I say learn 4 string first.

Most will tell you that you should learn whichever you'll be playing, but throughout your bass playing career, you're likely to switch back and forth 100 times (like all the rest of us have). IMHO, it is easier to add the 5th string later than to subtract it once you're used to it. Also, if you learn on a 5, you're liable to think you have to use the 5th string all the time rather than think of it as an additional tool. You won't be doing yourself any disservice by learning your fretboard theory with the standard EADG.

Hope it helps.
 
#7
darkstorm said:
The majority of music past and present is done with 4string bass. The majority of pro players play 4 string bass. Get and learn 5string if you specifically are going to be doing music that needs lowB string. 5string necks are wider then four string ones so finding mfg whose fivers are with very comfortable necks is going to be a main thing.
Click to expand...

I agree but it also depends on the type of music you are playing. Many players who learn on a 4 find it difficult to make the transition to a 5. I'm sure the opposite is also true.
 
#9
You will want to get a 5 in order to play the music you like. Keep practicing on the 4 while you save up the money because there are skills/techniques that can be developed independently (e.g. right hand plucking/picking). There are plenty of affordable 5s out there; check for used to save $.
 
#10
You don't really have to unlearn anything in going from a 4 to a 5. The techniques are the same. What a 5 really buys you is two things - first the differing tones that the B string generates gives you a wider tonal palette to choose from (E on the B sounds different from an open E for example) and you can cut down on position shifting. The extra 5 notes come in handly sometimes but that's really a secondary consideration for me.

I went from 30 years on a 4 string to a 6 and then added a 5 a year later. It took all of a couple of hours to remember that the B string wasn't the E string and to get comfortable with the wider neck - not as much of a consideration on a 5 so I can honestly say I had no issues with the transition. Learning to take full advantage of the added flexibility is ongoing........
 
#12
It shouldn't make much difference. A 5 has everything a 4 has, just with an extra low (or high) string. The notes don't change. It comes down to what you're more comfortable with.
I started on 4's but not long after that I tried a 6 and then settled mainly on 5's for the last 9 or so years of my 12 actually playing. Went back and tried 4's a little but in the end 5's are where it's at for me. But they both have their place.
 
#14
DBeeson said:
What I'm wondering is if I'm making things harder for myself by learning on a 4 string and then moving to a 5 string later, or whether it would be better to buy a 5 string now and learn on that before I get too used to 4 string and have to unlearn any techniques?
Click to expand...

If you plan on playing five string, there is no reason to start on four, so you should DEFINITELY start on five right away. And I'm speaking as someone who played four string for 20 years before switching to five.

If you plan on playing both four and five, you should start on the bass you plan to play the most.
 
#16
dtsamples said:
Hi, DB. Welcome to TB!

I say learn 4 string first.

Most will tell you that you should learn whichever you'll be playing, but throughout your bass playing career, you're likely to switch back and forth 100 times (like all the rest of us have). IMHO, it is easier to add the 5th string later than to subtract it once you're used to it. Also, if you learn on a 5, you're liable to think you have to use the 5th string all the time rather than think of it as an additional tool. You won't be doing yourself any disservice by learning your fretboard theory with the standard EADG.

Hope it helps.
Click to expand...

Well put. The real goal I'd suggest is the ability to switch back and forth between them without fear. That's its own education and brings its own rewards.
 
#17
Use the instrument you own. 4 string is a fine place to start - and it will be a bit easier to get the hang of than 5.

You have so much to learn about how to just navigate the darned thing and play a clean note that there's no rush to add a 5th string.
 
#18
I agree with Big Old Harry, 4-string to start is a little easier. A MUCH more important question is how to start to learn bass. If you can find the best teacher in your area and go for lessons on a regular basis, you'll be way further ahead. Start that as soon as you can. Spend a lot more on lessons than pedals, bass magazines, or even instruments.

Also, spend a lot of time singing, try to learn to "hear" intervals and chords. Don't worry over how fast you can play scales and modes, focus on playing things you can "hear" first. Play along with CD's until you can play the parts exactly note-for-note. Practise a lot with a metronome and get your time together. Learn a lot of tunes and transcribe a lot. Have fun!
 
#20
Start with a 5. Ive noticed and know many others that find it a lot harder to get acustomed to an extra string. Even my instructor said i may as well start with a 5. Its easier to lose a string than try and play with an extra one youre not used to having there. I know there will be some uber pro bass players here that will say its easy to play either one regardless of how you start but why take the chance.
 

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