Switch from 4 to 5

[10emmanuel]

Hello mates!

I've been thinking about going for a 5 string bass. But my fear is that after playing for +3 years, I might loose this "notion of freedom and orientation " that I have achieved. Like I'd be re-learning how to play. I grabbed a 5 yesterday because I am interested on it and I could not play a song. I was just lost. People around me must have thought I did not know any of the songs I was trying to play. So I wondered If it really worth to get a 5 , since honestly, I dont needed it, I dont play that much music that requires the low B, I just crave for it to expand my range and because I like low bat notes.
People all over say that " if you practice enough it should not be a problem", but since I am not a professional musician, I can't dedicate a huge amount of ours to practice. So I am afraid that I don't get any good in the 5 and that I loose touch with the 4.

I dont know if you understand what I mean.

 

[Killing Floor]

You might. But only for a few days depending how you practice. When I started 5 I found the fret hand went quick but was constantly plucking wrong string high or low but within a week it never happened again. I started looking at my pick hand (my right) for several days and that fixed it. Everything normalized and now I easily transition 4 to 5 and so will you. You’ll learn to appreciate the economy of motion you gain. And still comfortably grab the 4 when you want it. I don’t know your life but I am certain you’ll nail it very quickly. Don’t panic if it is a little ugly the first real practice session.

 

[nostatic]

Hello mates!

I've been thinking about going for a 5 string bass. But my fear is that after playing for +3 years, I might loose this "notion of freedom and orientation " that I have achieved. Like I'd be re-learning how to play. I grabbed a 5 yesterday because I am interested on it and I could not play a song. I was just lost. People around me must have thought I did not know any of the songs I was trying to play. So I wondered If it really worth to get a 5 , since honestly, I dont needed it, I dont play that much music that requires the low B, I just crave for it to expand my range and because I like low bat notes.
And since I am not musician, I can't dedicate a huge amount of ours to practice . People all over say that " if you practice enough it should not be a problem". So I am afraid that I don't get any good in the 5 and that I loose touch with the 4.

I dont know if you understand what I mean.

Then why do you own a bass and why have you spent 3+ year playing it? There is no right or wrong answer, but sounds like you enjoy making low noises. If you're not being held accountable in a band situation or by your own goals and milestones, then you don't really have much to lose by picking up a 5'er. If you don't get good on it, does it make a difference? If you lose touch with the 4, does it make a difference? Do you enjoy experimenting and feeling lost or do you like always being in control and limiting variables?

None of the above is meant to be perjorative - there are many valid reasons for playing an instrument, and only you can determine why you're doing it, and what path you want to follow.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Get an affordable 5. Keep the 4. Woodshed the 5 for a solid month. Re-position all the songs you know to incorporate the B string.
The first two weeks will be difficult.after that you're gonna wonder how you lived without that B string for 3 years!

 

[CaptainLeisure]

I found the five string confusing as heck when I started it. My advice, and this will make serious 5 players apoplectic, treat the B string like a thumbrest and gradually get used to playing it rather than shifting position. That's a slow and steady way of expanding your mental map of the fretboard. Playing a five doesn't cause you to forget how to play a 4.

 

[MMiller28]

You'll get used to it in a week, maybe less.

 

[mellobud]

Spacing makes a big difference in comfort too. I found my fingers were getting jumbled up on tight spaced 5 strings. I probably could have practiced my way over that hurdle but I chose wider spacing instead so that it felt more like the fender four string spacing I was used to.

I also found myself referencing off of the A string on a five versus the E string when I played a four string. Eventually you just get used to the feel. I found need of the low B string for worship songs and maybe 2 of my gigging band songs.

 

[MrAB4003]

I've been thinking about going for a 5 string bass. But my fear is that after playing for +3 years, I might loose this "notion of freedom and orientation " that I have achieved. Like I'd be re-learning how to play. I grabbed a 5 yesterday because I am interested on it and I could not play a song. I was just lost. People around me must have thought I did not know any of the songs I was trying to play. So I wondered If it really worth to get a 5 , since honestly, I dont needed it, I dont play that much music that requires the low B, I just crave for it to expand my range and because I like low bat notes.

You can try to tune it EADGC. That way, you won't have the unnecessary B string but you will have a high C string to play more chords, arpeggios, solos, and melodies. Plus, the E will be the lowest string which is what you're familiar with already.

 

[2112]

Here's my story, maybe it help you:

My Journey from 4 to 5: The Memoirs of a Convert

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

Start out in second position.

 

[Snert]

Re-position all the songs you know to incorporate the B string.

I agree 100% with the rest of this post, but for the OP, this is very important. Rework all your fingering to use the B string for everything, as though it's a different instrument (in a way) rather than a 4 string with a wire thumb rest that you use to play a few extra low notes on occasion.

Better still, get a 6 as the 4 string still exists symmetrically in the middle and might be an easier change for you.

 

[Gearhead17]

Lots of great advice shared already!

My thoughts: I believe you are overthinking EVERYTHING. Purchase a 5 string you like, and start practicing. You will not know how it will effect your bass playing world until you try it. Have fun!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

When I got my first 5, I took it on a gig the first night….and ate $£!+.
But now after 30 years of playing bass, I go back and forth from 4 to 5 and back to 4 without missing a beat. Maybe that’s something to look forward to.

 

[G On Bass]

As others have said: Play the 5 like 4 at first, not feeling obligated to play the B. Then used the B for a fretted E occasionally. Then incorporate it more. If the 5 doesn't work for you then it doesn't work. Play what does. But at least give it a good shot.
FWIW, I play only 5's and really only use a few of the first 5 frets on the B, But when I need 'em, I gotta have 'em. I tried to go back to 4 and was lost. Couldn't easily get through songs I'd known for years.

 

[J Wilson]

It will take new learning. You will probably have to mute differently, learn playing across 5 instead of 4, and probably a bigger neck and obviously wider fingerboard.

The short answer is if you're not willing to commit time to it when you can to integrate yourself to a different instrument (and fives are more than a four with an extra string), I would simply wait until the time comes when either you're ready to do so, or you ultimately decide a four does everything you need. Either answer is correct.

PS: I played only fives since the late 80's and bought a four on a whim a few years ago, and the fives had actually made my four-string playing better.

 

[GTHintz]

Hello mates!

I've been thinking about going for a 5 string bass. But my fear is that after playing for +3 years, I might loose this "notion of freedom and orientation " that I have achieved. Like I'd be re-learning how to play. I grabbed a 5 yesterday because I am interested on it and I could not play a song. I was just lost. People around me must have thought I did not know any of the songs I was trying to play. So I wondered If it really worth to get a 5 , since honestly, I dont needed it, I dont play that much music that requires the low B, I just crave for it to expand my range and because I like low bat notes.
People all over say that " if you practice enough it should not be a problem", but since I am not a professional musician, I can't dedicate a huge amount of ours to practice. So I am afraid that I don't get any good in the 5 and that I loose touch with the 4.

I dont know if you understand what I mean.

When i got my first 5 string I set the 4 string down until i got used to having the e string second instead of on top. Its easier to switch back to 4 than it is to first get on a 5. Just tough it out and itll be fine. You won't lose anything but gain versatility which will help you play anything.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hello mates!

I've been thinking about going for a 5 string bass. But my fear is that after playing for +3 years, I might loose this "notion of freedom and orientation " that I have achieved. Like I'd be re-learning how to play. I grabbed a 5 yesterday because I am interested on it and I could not play a song. I was just lost. People around me must have thought I did not know any of the songs I was trying to play. So I wondered If it really worth to get a 5 , since honestly, I dont needed it, I dont play that much music that requires the low B, I just crave for it to expand my range and because I like low bat notes.
People all over say that " if you practice enough it should not be a problem", but since I am not a professional musician, I can't dedicate a huge amount of ours to practice. So I am afraid that I don't get any good in the 5 and that I loose touch with the 4.

I dont know if you understand what I mean.

Just, don't get an expensive one. Go for one that has a smaller neck/tighter string spacing. That way it'll feel more comfortable. 5 string necks are big. 6 strings are enormous. You need to be comfortable while playing it, or it won't ever work out for you. The big curve on having extra strings, is muting. You now have extra strings to mute, but you dont have any extra fingers. You get used to it, but it takes a bit.

 

[coy garcia]

I played 5's for many years and went back to 4's. I felt the low B wasn't the best sounding/feeling string, I only got a few extra notes out of it and the neck added size. It was never unfamiliar from a 4 cause my the B became my thumb rest 9 out of 10 songs or more.

 

[Topkat13]

The main thing to do is not get excited.

 

[Jogobass]

I was on a jazz jam and someone who usually plays electric upright 4 string asked to play my fretless 5 string. He figured it out in one song. You can do it. There's no progress if we don't get out of our comfort zone once in a while.