Tough weekend.....first gigs on the five-string!

[mrjer]

As a follow up: good gigs this weekend. I am still getting a bit lost when I zone out on the "show" side of things. This bass is also my first active bass and I am loving that! I've changed lots lately, as I've crossed into bass obsession territory. I spend too much time on this forum, I'm buying too much gear, and sometimes I don't even want to go to work because it gets in the way of practice!!!!

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Rockmusician]

Tom Hamilton said in an interview that it took him about 6 months to feel comfortable on a 5 string. I switched from a 4 a few years ago. It was challenging for a couple of weeks but I got used to it.

 

[Lazylion]

...I just made the jump... decided to bust out the five string and just go for it... It was quite uncomfortable and I felt a bit lost. I felt like I was ignoring the crowd because I was concentrating on my playing. At the second gig, I made several flubs. I guess I am just feeling a bit down and frustrated...

When I switched over, nearly 20 years ago, I was gigging full-time, 5 nights a week minimum. It took me about 3 months to get comfortable. Lucky my bandmates were a patient bunch. I did get "The Look" a few times! Took a while to get used to the idea that I had a "middle" string (the A).

These days I can switch between 4 and 5 no problem. I've got 4-string basses tuned in E, one tuned in Eb, one in D, the 5 is BEADG, and my new Squier 4-string Jazz will be BEAD. Variety, the spice of life!

As players, I'm sure we are our own worst critics anyway. It's just that I had all these tunes DOWN.

And you'll have them down again, only better. Like others have said, just gotta reprogram the muscle memory, it takes time. Well worth it IMO.

I've changed lots lately, as I've crossed into bass obsession territory. I spend too much time on this forum, I'm buying too much gear, and sometimes I don't even want to go to work because it gets in the way of practice!!

Attaboy! Welcome to the club. = the new you!

 

[Ace Marconi]

20 years in the basement on a 4 string, and 5 years gigging on and off. 1 year gigging every weekend on a 4. Finally found the right bass. 6 months to get comfy, and now at a year and a half on the 5, total obsession.

Two days without playing = dreams where I'm playing. 4 days without playing = nightmares of the nastiest sort, either about THE BASS, or THE HANDS. Yup. totally obsessed.

As for the muscle memory, you know you've got it when your hands go for the notes one string down, and you realize after, that you used the b string without thinking.

It's nice to double the last note, an octave down, during the fade, especially the B, or the C. (cold shivers)

Keep at it, embrace the obsession!

 

[skb5string]

Yup, bassically )) just put the four in the corner and dive in.. I did about 20 years ago, mistakes and all. I started using a 6 about 15 years ago and did the same thing..although 6er's have come and gone through the years a 5 is always here. I recently got another 6 after not owning one in a year and had 2 big sight reading jobs in the last 14 days..I just went for it mistakes and all but it came off well and I'm much more comfortable..baptized by fire..sometimes the best learning

 

[mrjer]

The obsession is hillarious to me!! I suppose it's much healthier than other addictions. The strange thing is that I have ALWAYS played music. Sax was first, but I became close to mediocre on lots of instruments. I've been gigging since before I was old enough to drink in the bars I was playing. I played bass on and off in different bands. About two years ago, I decided to audition for a cover band. In my area, there is a bass-player shortage. I started getting into technique and becoming a strong player. It just exploded into full obsession!!! I just want to play constantly.....I need to find the tone......I switched to rack gear.....I'm learning five-string....I want the bass clef tattoo....I expect to be on a top GB band when I'm 70.....I browse this forum for hours every night....I have a problem!

On the plus side, I am about to win some cash in my fantasy football league...between $600 and $1000. Saving for a Musicman!!!!