It occupies the same range as a guitar, but has a totally different sound, due to the longer scale length. Listen to some of Stanley Clarke's piccolo work to hear what I am talking about.
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Tenor Bass: Clever Idea or Oxymoron?
- Thread starter bassmanbucko
- Start date
embellisher said:
I know it sounds different. But if none of the strings are in the bass range, it's simply not a bass at all - piccolo or otherwise. And it's not a baritone either. It's just a longer scale guitar.
As for the original subject of this thread, well, there's nothing new about 5 or 6 string basses tuned like that, but "tenor bass" is a new term and it's definitely an oxymoron.
Like others, I too use a 5-string tuned EADGC. My main axe is a 6-string tuned BEADG, but I use the EADGC fiver mainly for slapping and popping since the open E slap is easier to pull off when the low B string isn't in the way.
While most of the 'magic' happens on the EADG strings (at least for me), I like having the low B and high C in case I want to do some exploring.
As for tenor basses and all that, if it fits the music/song you're doing, go for it. I loved Victor Wooten's tenor bass use in the song "More Love."
While most of the 'magic' happens on the EADG strings (at least for me), I like having the low B and high C in case I want to do some exploring.
As for tenor basses and all that, if it fits the music/song you're doing, go for it. I loved Victor Wooten's tenor bass use in the song "More Love."
DW said:
DW said:
Only if you take the words out of context. People like to do that just to start controversy and try to make themselves feel special.
In this context, the word bass is not the range in which the instrument plays, but what the instrument itself is called. Tenor bass and piccolo bass are not oxymorons unless you refuse to use the term in the context in which they exist, which, quite frankly, is closed minded and ignorant.
Both. It's an oxymoron and it's a clever idea. Tenor basses are awesome. I am a pround owner of one as of yesterday and I love it.
Blackbird said:
predate -> predator
Piccolos at tenors for breakfast
precede <- precedence
or
predecessor
(sorry, couldnt resist, it was so funny
)
I see..........but what about a Bass saxophone, baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone and soprano saxophone?Nick Gann said:
Shouldn't we have Bass guitar, baritone guitar, tenor guitar and soprano guitar?
Bass is tonal range like baritone, tenor and soprano. A piccolo is simply Italian for small...... I think (might be wrong)
Limo said:
Bass: Frequency range
The Bass: A musical instrument
A sax is an instrument that can be used and configured in different frequency ranges. A bass is an instrument that can be used and configured in different frequency ranges.
Again, it is all about context. My point still stands.
Well "The Bass" is a new term created by people but a "Bass guitar" is a guitar with the bass frequency. What about baritone guitar?? it's tuned in B like a 7 string guitar but it's considered a baritone guitar not "The Baritone"Nick Gann said:
What was it about Anthony Jackson and the Contrabass guitar?? Wasn't it because it had a B string and a 36" scale?? (I know nothing about it I'm just guessing)
john turner said:heh, that'd be a nice trick since he doesn't own any 9's yethe's a crazy 88
Hmm. If a multi stringed bass had 24 frets, how many strings would be needed to have more range than a piano?
I have always wondered that. And I also want a bass form of a piano one of these days.
HeheNick Gann said:What about the term "Electric Bass". It is an instrument, not an electrified frequency range
but you're perhaps missing my point, it's not the electric bass, it's the electric bass GUITAR just like electric GUITAR.
But you're missing my point, its the "Electric Bass" not the "Electric Low Frequency Range"
Let's agree to disagree, that will be the only solution
While the bass is a type of guitar, I think of it as another instrument. It is like saying the trumpet, tuba, and euphoniom are the same thing. As a tuba player, I cannot allow that
Let's agree to disagree, that will be the only solution
While the bass is a type of guitar, I think of it as another instrument. It is like saying the trumpet, tuba, and euphoniom are the same thing. As a tuba player, I cannot allow that
But I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just trying to get a solution because I think it should be clear what to call things. That is why I mentioned AJ because ,I guess, he though it wouldn't be appropriate to call it a "Bass guitar" so he called it the "Contrabass guitar"Nick Gann said:But you're missing my point, its the "Electric Bass" not the "Electric Low Frequency Range"
Let's agree to disagree, that will be the only solution
And I don't get that last comment you made. It's not the electric bass because it wouldn't be a full description of the instrument. It is the Bass guitar, so it would be Electric Bass guitar. We call it a "Bass" for short because it's stupid to say the whole "Bass guitar" all the time.
I see your point. In my opinion though, the term "Electric Bass" has become a title, not a description. Thats just my view. I see what you are saying, and I agree with you. In the context in which you are talking about.
Again, its all about context
I really don't understand the "contrabass guitar" designation Anthony Jackson gave the instrument. I was first under the impression that a contrabass guitar was a 6 string bass tuned EADGBE, not BEADGC. I think he just wanted to be different, so he made up a term to separate himself from the rest. But that's another discussion for another time
Again, its all about context
I really don't understand the "contrabass guitar" designation Anthony Jackson gave the instrument. I was first under the impression that a contrabass guitar was a 6 string bass tuned EADGBE, not BEADGC. I think he just wanted to be different, so he made up a term to separate himself from the rest. But that's another discussion for another time
So in this context the Tenor bass really is an oxymoron isn't it?Nick Gann said:I see your point. In my opinion though, the term "Electric Bass" has become a title, not a description. Thats just my view. I see what you are saying, and I agree with you. In the context in which you are talking about.
Again, its all about context
I really don't understand the "contrabass guitar" designation Anthony Jackson gave the instrument. I was first under the impression that a contrabass guitar was a 6 string bass tuned EADGBE, not BEADGC. I think he just wanted to be different, so he made up a term to separate himself from the rest. But that's another discussion for another time
Allright, I still think it should be more specific what to call things.Nick Gann said:In that context, yes. In the context I was refering to, no.
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" Perhaps that's true but if it would be called crapweed or stenchblossom everybody would think it would smell bad and wouldn't really be a proper name to describe the flower
If I were to purchase a "guitar" and receive a bass with piccolo strings on it I would be very disappointed. The term piccolo bass at least describes the instrument that is in based upon (bass) and the range thereof (piccolo).
I recently gambled $15 on a set of piccolo strings for one of my basses just to see what it was like to play one. It is interesting but I don't think I'll be making it a mainstay. The piccolo bass sounds different than a normal guitar but I think I'll just stick with my Tele when I want to cover the treble range.
I recently gambled $15 on a set of piccolo strings for one of my basses just to see what it was like to play one. It is interesting but I don't think I'll be making it a mainstay. The piccolo bass sounds different than a normal guitar but I think I'll just stick with my Tele when I want to cover the treble range.
