Six string verses a Four string in jazz.

[spade2you]

I always thought jazz was about expressing yourself. If he has a problem with your basses, I know I wouldn't stick around. I have a job that pays me to get bossed around, and very nicely paid at that. Thus, during my free time, I don't put up with nearly the amount of BS.

 

[lyle]

6 strings

 

[spade2you]

6 strings

Patitucci. Oh, that n00b.

 

[Tired_Thumb]

Four points:

1. You're only slightly worse than Steve Swallow, so that must be good news.
2. I must really be horrible, because I need 6 strings, and I'm not even talented enough to utilize frets!
3. It sounds like he's only going to keep pushing buttons until you explode. I say get out of there and find yourself a good playing opportunity outside of school, if you can. My former trumpet teacher ended up quitting his high school band his senior year, and his professional career wasn't injured in any way.
4. As said, there are enough idiots in the music world to sink a continent, and they're not sailing away anytime soon.

 

[AZNBassist]

Hey man, 4, 5, 6, 7, or whatever string bass, play whatever bass you want because of the sound and because the instrument fits you and don't let other people tell you otherwise.

As for your band director, well, they can be a little...misinformed and/or ignorant sometimes. It's alright, I learned the easiest way to deal with band directors is whenever he says something stupid is to just nod your head and ignore him

 

[Earwigger]

Well said Tired. My high school jazz band used a beautiful full sized double bass for our music and the bass player did not like it, as he wanted to play his nice vintage Thunderbird. He quit over it and the teacher took over on bass. I wished I would have jumped on it.

 

[spade2you]

Four points:
[*]I must really be horrible, because I need 6 strings, and I'm not even talented enough to utilize frets!

Hmmmmmm, I'll be suffering from that soon...perhaps next week.

Sorry for posting this, just excited it's finally done. I will fart in the direction of anyone who tellz me I can't use it.

 

[Andre_gt7]

Holy Guacamole, Nice Conklin.

as for the OT. Play whatever makes you feel good. and don't forget about the groove. A 6 string should be great in Jazz.

Steve Bailey..
John Patitucci...

so on..

 

[jacobsmithbass_]

alright cliff!

 

[Brad Johnson]

It's threads like this that remind me of just how lucky I've been.

 

[cnltb]

The better instrument is the one that makes your job easier and makes you play better. If you think the six is a better sounding bass and it makes positions easier for you, then use it. While its probably uncommon for a high school jazz band to have a 6 stringer, its not at all a bad thing. Why don't you explain that they are the same instrument, one with extended range. Tell him you like the position possibilities on the 6er and the options it opens for soloing. I wouldn't quit, even if they make you play a 4, music is filled with idiots, get used to it now. Good luck.

+ BIG NuMBEr

 

[Tired_Thumb]

It's threads like this that remind me of just how lucky I've been.

Strangely enough, I did get one comment when I played a five string that the extra string was highly unusual, yet since I've switched to the six, I've only had positive comments regarding the six strings when I've gigged out with it. I guess I'm lucky too, knock on wood.

 

[iamlowsound]

I would almost expect that a six string would be REQUIRED these days in jazz.

lowsound

 

[Brad Johnson]

Not really... though for "Smooth" Jazz a low B would be handy.

 

[Geezerman]

I like how the OP shows a clear bias that more strings = more talent on his part. heh

 

[spade2you]

I like how the OP shows a clear bias that more strings = more talent on his part. heh

It certainly requires certain techniques that aren't required on a 4. Why is it easier to assume it takes less talent with more strings?

 

[Brad Johnson]

Why assume either?

 

[Hoover]

Good grief, the OP is a quadruple-threat (plays electric, upright, tuba, and alto sax)...and the school band director wants to alienate him?!?!?!

I think the band director is scared of him.


Bring the six-string to rehearsals, and while you're there measure his office to make sure all your stuff will fit.

 

[DistantTremor]

Just get EXTREMELY GOOD on the Six String, bring it to rehearsal, and noodle away like crazy on EVERY NOTE you have access to.

lol, seriously though:

Good grief, the OP is a quadruple-threat (plays electric, upright, tuba, and alto sax)...and the school band director wants to alienate him?!?!?!

I think the band director is scared of him.


Bring the six-string to rehearsals, and while you're there measure his office to make sure all your stuff will fit.

I couldn't have put it any better.

Don't stand for it. If he's willing to listen, explain to him how he shouldn't assume that it takes less skill to play with six strings than with four strings. Jazz is about the music, not the image.

 

[bassrique]

Anyways, I tried out for my jazz band and I play a six string and a four string. I used the six, because the song he wanted me to play has a high C and I find, instead of switching my position for one note, I'll play a bass I am far more comfortable with finger-wise. I find it much easier to slap a four but finger a six. So, the conversation after I finished went something like this:

Too many 6ers play w/out switching positions all that much [they use the xtra string as a "crutch" in other words]. This is "boxy" thinking in his mind I bet. I suspect he wants you to have more fluidity up and down the neck.