Using a B string “correctly”

[kicklock]

*background info here to start, you can skip* I’ve had a bit of change of heart lately. I recently moved to a new church where I am probably the most knowledgeable bassist. As such I don’t have anyone telling me how to play (as happened in my last church). In my last church I was told to use my B string heavily. I was asked to use low C, D, and E, etc. as the root of many songs and to use the B strings notes as much as possible. Since that is how I learned to play, I thought that was just the way it should be. However, the sound was usually very muddy in the PA, and we always thought it must be a high pass filter/crossover/low frequency problem. I’m now suspecting it was the heavy B string use. I was told to use it often so that the low end would be very present in the church and because playing higher would make me lost in the mix.

*The question: was I using the B string the “wrong” way? I’m starting to think that it should only be used for accents and not as a starting point for songs (at least not a starting point for anything below E). If I play in regular 4 string territory, will the overall low end of the band be lost? I’m the sound tech at my church as well so any mixing advice is appreciated as well (I’m still learning). Thanks for any help in advance![/QUOT


I think the B string should be used sparingly, and for
(1) that powerful, low effect of the strings below the E, and even the E itself, since there is a difference between the sound of the open E on the E string, and the fretted E on the B string. Take for instance, a one note pumping bassline on the low E - when it's done on the open string, there is a airier feel. When it's done on the on the 5th fret of the B string, it has a tighter, punchier feel, since you are actually fretting the string. If you had to get the same feel off the open E string, you would have to do some serious fretting hand muting to achieve that result, IF that is what you are going for.
(2) If, for instance, you prefer playing a bassline in one fretting hand position, the B string comes in handy. This is convenient for bassists who sing while playing, since you don't have to be looking down at you fretboard, too much, and it can be used at any position on the fretboard.
(3) Again, for dramatic effect, you want to drop from a D on the A string, to it's lower octave, the B string facilitates that. Also, the other notes, the E, Eb, Db, and C are similarly available, as is the open B.

Before I started using a 5 string bass, I read a lot of online, and Bass Player articles. Some advice I took, and use, are

(1) Only really good 5 string basses have B strings which actually sound defined, and not muddy. Therefore, a VERY good 5 string bass is necessary ( and I bought a Sadowsky Jazz ).
2) The B string should be used SPARINGLY, to add drama, or effect, and NOT to be a constant part of a groove ( this is a generalized view, as such a thing works for some people in some genres ), as AGAIN, the muddiness issue.
3) And this is the MOST IMPORTANT OBSERVATION : However hard we play/pluck the other strings, we SHOULD play the B string, WITH A SOFTER TOUCH than the other strings. AGAIN, the muddiness issue.
4) On the AMPS/ SPEAKERS - We SHOULD NOT add to the bass frequencies, since the lows inherent on the B string ( and basses in general ) already cater for that. In this way we add clarity, and definition.
5) Another bassplayer once told me that we should make the distinction between playing the bass in such a way that our notes a clearly defined, and playing just to add bass frequency, which I think is called, "Boom".

So, get a well made 5 string with a GOOD sounding & playing B string. Then adopt a SOFTER TOUCH attitude, and plucking style for the B string. That's my take. Hope it helps.

 

[jessestern]

I must admit, it does fill the room gloriously. It is my favorite note on the 'B' string.

D is the best note in any octave.

 

[retslock]

The proper way to use a B string is as a thumb rest

Jaco only needed four

Really? Does that mean we should all play a fretless jazz bass too? Does it also mean we should all try to play like Jaco? I always thought that he was a great soloist and innovator - a lead voice - but he was not the way we should all try to play. Each if us can find our own musical identity. With Jaco in your band you still needed a bass player. Music is way broader than one player and one style. “Jaco only needed four” is one of the dumbest things I’ve heard.

 

[charlie monroe]

Really? Does that mean we should all play a fretless jazz bass too? Does it also mean we should all try to play like Jaco? I always thought that he was a great soloist and innovator - a lead voice - but he was not the way we should all try to play. Each if us can find our own musical identity. With Jaco in your band you still needed a bass player. Music is way broader than one player and one style. “Jaco only needed four” is one of the dumbest things I’ve heard.

I guess 2 smilies wasn't enough.

I will try to include more next time so you are alerted to levity.

 

[rjw2000]

I’ve been playing double bass and bass guitar for about 50 years, mostly American Fender Jazz basses. I like the JB w Tomastic flatwounds, because they have a more double bass sound, and the timbre is pretty even along the range of the string. (I’m a classically-trained double bass player, with 58 quarter-credits of Applied Double Bass. I kinda prefer that sound. However, I play more bass guitar today because it’s easier on both my body and string bass.)

I switched to 5-string bass guitar about 20 years ago. I use B-E on the B string sparingly. Many rooms, amps & PAs are just not made for those notes.

Occasionally I’ll use those notes for a final note in a song, or, if the ensemble is big enough, I’ll go down in the deep mud, play fewer notes and work on just keeping the group together.

If the group is smaller, I’ll come up a bit and get a bit more active, especially at the end-of-phrase fills, if they’re empty.

That being said, I think the real advantage of the fifth string isn’t the low notes; it’s the flexibility in fingering. It’s like the trigger on a trombone that allows the player, in effect, a second horn, pitched maybe a fourth apart. On a five string, this is where you get more flexibility playing C on the E string, rather than the A. If you want to shift to a F chord outline, your hand just moves to
The next string rather than up a fourth. In some keys, like Bb or F it makes life a lot easier. Of course, you want to find strings that have much the same timbre all the way up to the octave. Does that make sense?

 

[Johnny Vance]

The correct way to use the B-string is how one uses it.

Just got a 5 string Yamaha BB435. Hard To Hard is fun to play again. Open B baby.

 

[retslock]

I guess 2 smilies wasn't enough.

I will try to include more next time so you are alerted to levity.

Sorry about that. My mistake. I’ve actually had someone make the Jaco remark directly about me because I play a 5 string so I guess I could be a tad touchy.

 

[Screnshaw]

*background info here to start, you can skip* I’ve had a bit of change of heart lately. I recently moved to a new church where I am probably the most knowledgeable bassist. As such I don’t have anyone telling me how to play (as happened in my last church). In my last church I was told to use my B string heavily. I was asked to use low C, D, and E, etc. as the root of many songs and to use the B strings notes as much as possible. Since that is how I learned to play, I thought that was just the way it should be. However, the sound was usually very muddy in the PA, and we always thought it must be a high pass filter/crossover/low frequency problem. I’m now suspecting it was the heavy B string use. I was told to use it often so that the low end would be very present in the church and because playing higher would make me lost in the mix.

*The question: was I using the B string the “wrong” way? I’m starting to think that it should only be used for accents and not as a starting point for songs (at least not a starting point for anything below E). If I play in regular 4 string territory, will the overall low end of the band be lost? I’m the sound tech at my church as well so any mixing advice is appreciated as well (I’m still learning). Thanks for any help in advance!

Most of the time It isn't an issue with use but with the string itself.
Low B tends to be chosen too light and as a consequence sounds undefined and boomy.
Mount heavy strings and okay just like on any other string.

I find the B string most helpful to provide variety to 1,4, 5 (country type) songs. Other than that it is a good thumb rest

 

[swarfrat]

The easiest way to tighten up a muddy low B is to call it C# instead.

 

[LukeM]

If I'm above the 5th fret, and I can play it without it getting boomy or flabby, I'll use the 5th string. If I need a pedal tone for a measure or two (E down to C#), I'll use the first position, and play it with my thumb to have it gradually swell. For some reason, that works well on my system. My cabinet rolls off severely around that low D, so unless I'm in the BIG sound system, I won't go below those notes.
I figure the real trick is to get the volume and attack of the B string to sound like the others. It has to do with the mass of the string: it takes a bit longer for the note to resolve.

Hope this helps.
Luke M