I've been playing a 4-string off-and-on since 1995, but only playing seriously and consistently for about 3 years now. I have just bought a 5-string and may win another on eBay. What tips and suggestions do you have on making the switch- fingering, when to drop into the B & when not to, etc. I do primarily play with my church & we play a wide range of musical styles from fast rock, folk, blues, and some traditional hymns, usually updated a bit. Thanks guys & gals!
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Tips for making the 5-string switch?
- Thread starter sum dum gai
- Start date
Well one thing I'd seriously consider is adopting Todd Johnson's floating thumb technique (it's different to what most people consider "floating thumb" to be - search his name on youtube for a lesson).
It cuts down on sympathetic vibration, and if you anchor your thumb on the pickup or the E (now B) string it can save some serious stretching.
I'm a recently converted 5 player (been about a month) and it help a lot.
It cuts down on sympathetic vibration, and if you anchor your thumb on the pickup or the E (now B) string it can save some serious stretching.
I'm a recently converted 5 player (been about a month) and it help a lot.
One Tip ;
Play the thing.
I've never understood the trouble people seem to have with a switch from 4 to 5 etc.
...Just play the thing and you'll be fine.
Play the thing.
I've never understood the trouble people seem to have with a switch from 4 to 5 etc.
...Just play the thing and you'll be fine.
Believe it or not, ignore the low B string for a while - just sort of use it as a thumb rest & get used to it being there. I hope your 5er has wider string spacing or it may be harder to get used to -19mm will feel like a Jazz bass. Slowly start reaching for some low notes and staring your scales on those lower notes. I got pretty hooked simply by playing 'Unchained' by Van Halen & just bouncing along on the low D. The tricky part for me was keeping the low B string 'out of my way' when slapping. Have fun & welcome to the club!
+1 to ignoring the B. get used to playing all of your favorite 4-string tunes, and the use of the 5th string will come naturally IME.
Actually, I bought an Ibanez because I liked that the strings were closer together and the neck a similar width to what I am used to, but I also play a 6-string acoustic guitar so my fingers have become fairly well trained to fit in tighter string spacing. We'll see how it works out, I'm awaiting delivery. 
Forget that the bass is different. Grab it, play it, enjoy it. Eventually it will be second nature.
Yeah. If you pay too much attention to the B, you'll hurt yourself. Ignore it and get used to the feel, then gradually incorporate it into your playing style.
I didn't think I could do it, been playing 4 string bass since the mid 70's, but in practice, it took very little time to grow accustomed to that extra fat string. Now it's second nature, though the 5 string gets less play time than my 4's, but when I do play it, it's very natural.
I picked up an '02 Fender MIM 5 String Jazz Bass last month.
I've been ignoring the B string pretty much. Just getting used to looking at the neck while playing as usual with the 4 strings.
Now I'm translating some runs where going to the A from the E is the usual into going from the E to the B. Getting used to the fingering, wrist position, wider neck and different string sizes.
The neck on this 5 string doesn't lend it self to wrapping your thumb around it cause it's wider than my regular 4 string JBass that I've been playing for many years. For me, it's more like playing the wider PBass neck.
Keep on practicing. You'll get it in awhile.
I've been ignoring the B string pretty much. Just getting used to looking at the neck while playing as usual with the 4 strings.
Now I'm translating some runs where going to the A from the E is the usual into going from the E to the B. Getting used to the fingering, wrist position, wider neck and different string sizes.
The neck on this 5 string doesn't lend it self to wrapping your thumb around it cause it's wider than my regular 4 string JBass that I've been playing for many years. For me, it's more like playing the wider PBass neck.
Keep on practicing. You'll get it in awhile.
...there are only five notes on the low B string that aren't on any other string: B, C, C#, D and Eb, so how often will you really go there? I have a 5-string Fender J Bass that I thought I'd only use on tunes with drop D tunings. Well, it started out that way, but once you take the advice I already saw posted "Just play it," it will become second nature and you'll find your 4-string becomes a "back-up only" bass. At least mine did. If you're like me, you'll find yourself favoring that low D more and more as time goes on.
Remember, that E string is now the second string, not the top string. It took a while for me to reprogram myself to that. Also, learn to mute the B string with either the floating thumb technique or with your palm. It'll sometimes want to ring out when it's not being played, especially when playing slap.
And like everyone else said, play the freakin' thing. The best way to get used to a bass is to play it.
And like everyone else said, play the freakin' thing. The best way to get used to a bass is to play it.
- Mar 24, 2005
- 1,625
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- 81
- Disclosures
- Seymour Duncan/Basslines SMB-5A Endorsing Artist
I've been exclusively playing out with the 5-string for over 10 years now . . . and I often find myself playing as if there was a capo at the 5th fret, playing (on the B string) what I would've played on the E string of a 4, playing (on the E string) what I would've played on the A string, etc.
I usually only find myself playing on the first 4 frets when I'm looking for a "thinner" sound or when I go down to the D, C and B (and the Hipshot-dropped A) . . .
I've really gotten used to the notes being closer together, with more notes available . . . you can easily play a 2-octave scale (over 5 frets) on a 5 string bass!
.
I usually only find myself playing on the first 4 frets when I'm looking for a "thinner" sound or when I go down to the D, C and B (and the Hipshot-dropped A) . . .
I've really gotten used to the notes being closer together, with more notes available . . . you can easily play a 2-octave scale (over 5 frets) on a 5 string bass!
.
- Mar 24, 2005
- 1,625
- 44
- 81
- Disclosures
- Seymour Duncan/Basslines SMB-5A Endorsing Artist
Another thought . . .
when playing a 5 string bass, muting becomes more important . . .
If I'm playing a note on the 3rd string, for example, I'll use the rest of the fingers of my left hand to deaden the 1st and 2nd strings and use my right hand thumb to deaden the 4th and 5th strings . . .
when playing a 5 string bass, muting becomes more important . . .
If I'm playing a note on the 3rd string, for example, I'll use the rest of the fingers of my left hand to deaden the 1st and 2nd strings and use my right hand thumb to deaden the 4th and 5th strings . . .
As others have stated, once you get into the realms of 5 and beyond, muting is a much greater issue. Floating thumb is invaluable with 5+ strings.
I would say Learn to treat it like convenience...
I no longer have to change my fingering to play in the key of E cause I can use the 5th fret on the B, or I wanted to throw in a low 5th but my root note is G...now I can without going an octave up...play like a 4 use the new string to make life easier and for the occasional "that sounded really low and caught my attention"
The big secret is 5 looks harder but in reality its easier... shhh, don't tell anyone.
I no longer have to change my fingering to play in the key of E cause I can use the 5th fret on the B, or I wanted to throw in a low 5th but my root note is G...now I can without going an octave up...play like a 4 use the new string to make life easier and for the occasional "that sounded really low and caught my attention"
The big secret is 5 looks harder but in reality its easier... shhh, don't tell anyone.
- Mar 24, 2005
- 1,625
- 44
- 81
- Disclosures
- Seymour Duncan/Basslines SMB-5A Endorsing Artist
