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Transitioning to 5 String

jlerner

jlerner

Sep 12, 2009
32
0
Arlington, VA
#1
I bought my first 5-string bass. And I'm struggling! I'm fine playing pattern based stuff, but whenever I need to play like an actual written note, my fret-board suddenly seems like something totally foreign. Probably doesn't help that I used to play guitar a fair amount.

I got it on June 26. So it's been about 4 weeks, although, truth be told, it's not like I get to practice on it much more than just the weekends.

It sounds great, and, I think I get the value of the 5th string.

Will it take me a year? More?

Thanks!
 
#2
When playing a 4-string, I would usually rest my thumb on a pickup. When moving to a 5-string I was doing the same and was constantly playing the wrong string.

Here's what I did. I changed my right-hand technique to a semi-floating thumb. Instead of resting my thumb on the pickup, I would rest my thumb on the 5th string, with two benefits: it dampened the 5th string when unused and it kept my plucking fingers in my normal position in relation to the 4th string. To play a fifth string note, simply lift your thumb from the fifth string when plucking it.

That made the transition easier, but you still need to spend some time getting used to the extra string. These days, switch between 4 and 5 strings without thought. That said, I don't really care for playing lots of low 5th string notes. They sound too low for me, so I tend to play my fivers like a four, grabbing the fifth string when I want to accent a really low note or when when I use it to make fingering more consistent across the fingerboard.
 
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#3
bwildt said:
Here's what I did. I changed my right-hand technique to a semi-floating thumb. Instead of resting my thumb on the pickup, I would rest my thumb on the 5th string, with two benefits: it dampened the 5th string when unused and it kept my plucking fingers in my normal position in relation to the 4th string. To play a fifth string note, simply lift your thumb from the fifth string when plucking it.
Click to expand...

This x 1000

You got the bass 4 weeks ago, but how many playing hours?
 
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#5
I switched after many many years playing a four string. I found simply putting the four string down and not touching it until I had my head in the five string worked. I didn't change my technique much, but did add a little floating thumb for muting more than I did on the four string, which was hardly ever.

For me, it was about two months of playing it before it was as natural as breathing. I practice scales about an hour a day, starting very slowly. Now I love the b string thumbrest, which allows you to float all over and find great places to play.

I use the D on the b string quite a bit, and it allows me to not have to worry about drop d tunings the way guitar players or four string players do. I also like playing in fifth-twelfth position, while retaining the low notes on the b string. It's quite versatile.

Anyway, there isn't any secret. You just have to get some consistent hours working up muscle memory...
 
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#7
You may suffer the "4 strings" technic syndroms ... A lot of 4 strings bass player have a hard time adjusting on the 5 or the 6 why ? Because they anchor their thumb on the pickup and have flawed technic that work on the 4 but show the flaw on a 5 or 6.

You need to mute the B strings at least ... thumb over the neck may be difficult because the neck is wider so many can't adjust to using the thumb on the B or floating thumb or avoid the thumb over the neck.

In my case I got a 5 like 2 or 3 years after I started playing bass so it was an easy transition after two or three weeks of playing. Before I haven't lay my hand on one, I wanted one and I already knew what notes I would find where ... so easy transition. Same thing when I got a 6 strings, it was like I always played one.

But I know some people that can,t abandon their flawed technic
 
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#9
When you strap it on always feel the strings by resting your fingers on the same string, i use the A string.
So for me, regardless of bass, when i rest on the A string i have an E string under it, with B under that, and a D and G string above that A string.

For me i feel the A string is the "centre line" so options either side of it.
It goes without saying a floating thumb technique helps as i don' t mistake the B string for a E by "leaning on it".

As my use of the A string is consistant ...then so is my thinking, and therefore my instinct when playing.
 
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#10
jlerner said:
I bought my first 5-string bass. And I'm struggling! I'm fine playing pattern based stuff, but whenever I need to play like an actual written note, my fret-board suddenly seems like something totally foreign. Probably doesn't help that I used to play guitar a fair amount.

I got it on June 26. So it's been about 4 weeks, although, truth be told, it's not like I get to practice on it much more than just the weekends.

It sounds great, and, I think I get the value of the 5th string.

Will it take me a year? More?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
as long as you're not physically set back by the 5(having small hands or maybe not very good flexibility in your hands) it really doesn't take that long. I went from to 4-5 years ago and don't remember doing much other than jamming along to albums I liked. Going from 5 to 7string was a little more difficult for me because the higher strings shift all the other strings over, going from 7 to 6 string was a breeze.

I does seem like pick players struggle more with the transition as it is another string you have to control(mute and so on) and I think most fingerstyle players take to using the low B as a thumb rest when they aren't playing it fairly quickly.

If you continue to struggle one method I recommend that I used when I went from 5 to 7 string was I bought a normal 5 string set of strings and then bought some single coated DR strings. You could do this the same for 4 to 5 by buying a set of strings for a four string bass and then buying a single low B online and get a coated string like DR black beautie or DR neon. Looks a bit goofy but that visual aid might help speed things along and it's simple to change the strings again once you're comfortable.
 
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#11
I play 5's. I think the way I got there was a little unorthodox. I started with an Ibanez that had a pretty narrow neck, so even thought it was a 5, it was only a little wider than my 4, which helped a bunch.

At first I didn't play it like a 5. I just used it like a 4 with 34" thumb rest made out of a bass string.

The way I got the 5th string going is that I started playing some of the more common root notes on the 5th string. Like that uber low E on the 5th Fret, the f# on the 7th, The G and the A below that, you get the ideal... I was still playing it like a 4 string with a big long thumb rest on it, but now at least I was using it to play some of the really cool low notes when appropriate.

That was the gateway drug, now I'm hooked and can't go back. Crazy as it my sound, it's just a more fluid version of what I just said. I play arpeggios with a 5th string root, but to me I view it like a 4+1 string. Playing the really low notes is cool and all, but it's like candy. A little is awesome, but too much can make you sick...
 
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#14
maturanesa said:
Use the 5th string just as a thumb rest until you incorporate the idea of having your "old 4 strings" below it..
Click to expand...

What I did was just "memorize" (for lack of a more accurate word) where some of the primary 5th string gems are located. That low A, the F#, E, G... heck, they're all gems but start with one or two of those and then build from there. Find a tune you are doing where one of he notes on the low B would work better and force youtself to use it.
 
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#15
I do the same thumb rest thing, as mentioned by others. It takes a little getting used to, but like most things, practice is the answer.

As far as trying to play written notes, and memorizing the notes on the extra string, that again comes with practice. I came from guitar as well, but I had a leg up since I regularly played 7 string guitars with a low B. I remember starting out I would just practice scales starting on the low B string and going up and down the fret board. That helped me get comfortable with what notes were where on the extra string, even though, truth be told, I'm more of a "play by ear" kind of person.
 
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#16
Glad I found this thread... After playing 4 strings for 30 years, I grabbed a five string for the added lows... and admittedly it is frightening. I've been using the B as a thumb rest... The gentleman I purchased it from actually threw in a black beauty B string as a "training wheel" of sorts. Trying to not use it, but..

Terrified of mistaking the B for the E inadvertently mid song and crashing and burning.

The neck width is not as harrowing as I anticipated.. it's that whole hitting the wrong note thing. LOL
 
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#19
I'm going through this same thing as I need to play a fiver this coming weekend. It gets easier. What has helped me the most has just been practicing a lot with the fiver, avoiding the fours, and playing other material with it besides what I have to learn for this upcoming show. Yesterday I had a practice with a different group and I started playing my four; it felt weird to me. That's when I realized I am really getting comfortable with it. I went and got the five and did the rehearsal with that.

It just takes time. Orienting with floating thumb, using the B string as a thumbrest when you can, can help. I still do stupid things; I'm used to orienting on the fretboard from the E string down and I'm still having some trouble finding the D string with my right hand sometimes. But overall I think if you just keep playing it, you will find it getting easier pretty quickly.
 

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