The last country gig I did was the perfect opportunity to put flats on my 5er and it sounded great for that style. Definitely want the lower range for that kind of music.
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When would a 5-string be required?
- Thread starter Jaycat
- Start date
I would probably go the octave pedal route before doing BEAD; the G is not so easily dispensed with IME.
I'm actually way more comfortable on my 35" 19mm spaced 5. I feel cramped on a 4 string. Sure, I can play one. I own several and bring them when they are the right tool for the job. But if I'm given the choice, I grab my #1.... the big fat 5.
It’s been a thing since the 50s and hasn’t really stopped in any situation that is adequately funded to support it, where live bass would be appropriate.
When I was in the corporate world it was an absolute requirement that I was clean cut. Short hair, short facial hair if any, tie and at least slacks and button down shirt. Now that I am old and retired I can wear shorts, t-shirts and flip flops. My hair and beard haven’t had so much as been trimmed in three years. In short I am my own man and since I am not concerned with being employed my appearance is my own business. If I ever become employed again (not possible since I am profoundly disabled) I would have to bow to the machine. Interesting enough I just got my first five string bass in twenty five years today. Absolutely loving the challenge and experience.
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I think we're talking about two different things. If you're talking about a "band" with fixed members, I personally don't see that here any more in the biz--the replacing of a visible band member with a session cat for the recording, on the down low. They'll just mold the regular bassist's part in production. But for a pop artist with a revolving cast of backing musicians, anything goes for sure. They'll get a Pino, or a Hurley or whomever--those guys. Otherwise very often the producer is programming or playing the bass part themselves and editing it into a convincing part. All of this is of course very genre (heck, sub-genre) dependent.
Yeah. It’s generally not public knowledge lol. Until years or decades later.
But yes. I’ll concede it’s not as common now that the profitability of recorded music has declined.
I’m a 4 string player mostly and I can’t think of a worse reason not to try a 5.
No amount of mastering adds a note that isn't there.
Also, lol. Golfers have different types of clubs for different terrain/distance/weather conditions. You think a golfer just uses one club?
It's the same concept. Different tools for different situations.
Of course, you can try different tunings, and that can work for you, too. But you can also just try a 5 string (and not condemn it, and say using one means you lack skill).
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I don't know why someone would have a problem with an ad that clearly states the type of tool needed to do the required job. If repertoire is written with a 5 string, it's reasonable to expect your player to have that tool.
If you don't, why not just skip over that ad? Sure you can have five or more pages of why some other tool will work or why you want to cling to the tool that's almost adequate, but what's the point? The job will go to the person who has the right tool and skillset to get it done. That's not you, OP, so you can move on.
If you don't, why not just skip over that ad? Sure you can have five or more pages of why some other tool will work or why you want to cling to the tool that's almost adequate, but what's the point? The job will go to the person who has the right tool and skillset to get it done. That's not you, OP, so you can move on.
Maybe so, but not because I wouldn't play a fiver. Rather, it would be because I would seriously consider the maturity and business acumen of a band that hires a bassist based primarily on the number of strings his axe has.
You said you but this isn't personal from me. The band may be quite mature and is weeding out the difficult people who can't follow simple directions.
I have seen major acts with million selling albums do it. You act like only bush leaguers do it and that’s not even close to true.
Or people who think they can fake their way through the repertoire without the proper instrument.
You wouldn't put a 61 key controller in front of a concert pianist, because she wouldn't have all the notes she needs to do the job. People can argue about workarounds, but if you don't have all the notes, you don't have them. BEAD will only get you so far - I have a song I play frequently that uses the octave G on the G string and there's no amount of substituting that will make that song work properly without rearranging an extremely iconic bass part. Sometimes you need all the range you have.
I took a job supporting an original artist a few years back and was hired on word-of-mouth, so no audition. The first thing I noticed with her material was a very heavy use of low D, C and B - heavy droning parts on these notes, no option to substitute an octave above. So, playing a 5-string wasn't my strong suit but it was the right tool for that job, and I ultimately got it done, and got more offers of work on the basis of shows I did with that band.
The way I look at it is this - you honor someone's repertoire if you are hired to play it by playing it as close as you can to the way it was written. This is especially true for original music that you are supporting as a touring player but it can be true for a variety of covers as well, depending on the band. If the band didn't care, they wouldn't be mentioning it.
The vast majority of the public could care less if the bass they hear is played on a whizz bang multi stringer or a guy with a horse hair strung across a plank. Out in the mosh pit it all sounds like an indestinct drone.
What a sad and pathetic way to approach playing music. Why even show up?
They might not be able to tell you what the difference is, but they will walk away with one of two opinions: 1) this band is great, or 2) this band sucks.
It's not hard to figure out all the elements that feed into those opinions and it's easy to see why so many bands end up with the second reaction but somehow think they do ok.
Assuming your audience is clueless is pretty disrespectful to the audience.
If a Beetles tribute band put an out advertisement for a bass player requiring that he played a Hofner Beetle bass would that be equally offensive? The way I see it is that the band has the right to set the requirements for the gig. If that bothers you don’t apply. Pretty easy really.
I sure hope that isn't what you took from my post.
In this particular case, anyone interested can listen to their music and determine for themselves if a fiver is needed or if BEAD or drop tuning will get the job done. A serious applicant doesn't need the band telling them what to play. They are not looking for a hired gun, but someone to commit to the band long-term and invest $$. They should be looking for the best player and compatible bandmate they can find rather than maybe limiting their choices.
