That's exactly what I do. The reason behind it is in the shape of the octaves and the use of a low d being used with notes fretted higher on the neck. Pretty simple really.
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Why are TBers so against drop or detuning?
- Thread starter Burlington
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
I get the idea of a "drone" note like a bagpipe drone or pedal tone, but why is it a C in so many of your band's songs? Is there any musical reason for having a C as the drone/pedal tone so much of the time?
Some people think that happens every time the subject comes up. It's largely a self-fulfilling prophecy. IMO there is nothing wrong with taking the easiest route to playing a song. OTOH IMO if there's another way to do it that doesn't require retuning and only requires an initial stray from one's comfort zone, that's where "I" would go. Spending the time working on hand positions pays off. So I could play "Would" with any vocalist in any key on the fly without retuning and still have plenty of low end.
Yes, I know many people only play songs in original keys. I like not having the limitation.
Nobodies said this yet, correct me if i'm wrong. I think your pointing more towards the idea that metalcore,hardcore,deathcore,death metal types of genres all tend to refer back to the lowest open note in alternate picking quite a bit. this is true. If your band plays in drop D, i recommend a four string and dropping the E. I personally play five string almost exclusively, bands i've played in have ranged from drop C to B standard to Drop A. For drop C bands, tune up the five string a half step a string so it is tuned C F Bflat Aflat. then learn all their songs in C standard. For any B standard or Drop B bands keep standard tuning, and with my band i just drop the B to A and keep everything else standard. all depends on what situation you are in. A real problem would be if fingerings for your band are only possible on a bass in DROP c not c standard and you have a 5 string, then you might want to pick up a 4.
Where did I say it's impossible to play a C on the B string of a 5er?
The fingerings and patterns of our songs make playing them on a standard 5er not possible. The parts were written for drop C tuned guitars, and the bass part is usually the exact same.
Not every one of our songs is bouncing off that open C, but a few are. It's just how the songs are written.
On a side note, thank you for your compressor reviews. They've helped me alot.
Because it's the internet.
Is it really the overwhelming majority of TB or just a few dogmatic post-happy people?
Please explain to me how fingerings could not be possible on a 5 that you could play on a dropped-4.
Notes is notes.
If you are referring to the ease of fingering, then 'easier on a dropped-4'. But to write 'only possible' seems a bit misleadling. Even then, I still have a hard time imaging fingering being harder/easier just because of an additional string. Guitar players have 6 and that hasn't seem to slow them down from complex parts. So, how could a 5-string get in the way of 4-string technique?
If all you have ever played is a 4-string, and that is where your muscle memory is, and don't want to switch, then...okay. Just say that. You want to stick with a 4, and play with tuning. Have a ball wit dat.
The number of strings, ultimately, doesn't really matter. It comes down to individual skill with whatever tool you have in your hand. If it makes the music, it is a good thing.
bongomania
Commercial User
I admit it's not the exact same thing, but the implication is that you couldn't fret that C. I bet you could. Note I am not ragging on you, just saying there is a difference between "I don't want to fret that C" and "it's impossible". I guess if a lot of your playing is up in the higher registers then it would be difficult to move your hand position between there and the fretted low C quickly--so is that it, that most of your playing is up high on the neck?
So is it a question of using the same fingerings as the guitars? Is there a reason for that? I know some guitarists like to see the bass player copying them exactly--is it just a visual thing?
Note again I am asking so I can understand, not to bust on you.
Way, way too much dogmatism in here. It's so annoying sometimes.
It's worth noting that open tunings can go up, not only down.
I use open tunings on 5 string basses too anyway.
As for tuning the same as the guitar, I rarely do it but there are benefits tonewise, especially in heavy music with a lot of unison playing.
It's worth noting that open tunings can go up, not only down.
I use open tunings on 5 string basses too anyway.
As for tuning the same as the guitar, I rarely do it but there are benefits tonewise, especially in heavy music with a lot of unison playing.
I play a 4, drop E to D as needed. Been doing that since the 80's, it is just what I am use to. I figure if I decide to go 5, I may as well go 6. Otherwise, what I do works for me. That is the key. Whatever works for your given circumstance. I think you will find that the majority of players out there will agree. There are a lot of haters/trolls on these forums... ignore them. 
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Why do 4 string players get upset when somebody says get a 5 string? I don't get upset when somebody prefers a 4 to 5.
I play 5 string basses and if someone said get a 6 I wouldn't be upset at all. If I needed the extra high notes I would get a 6.
Also nobody in the audience is going to dis your band if the bass player plays a low D fretted instead of open. THEY WON'T NOTICE. only the guitar player notices and he can get over it.
I am still waiting for someone to tune a 5 string DGCFA#.
In the grand scheme of life there really is no right and wrong here ... it is all opinions.
I play 5 string basses and if someone said get a 6 I wouldn't be upset at all. If I needed the extra high notes I would get a 6.
Also nobody in the audience is going to dis your band if the bass player plays a low D fretted instead of open. THEY WON'T NOTICE. only the guitar player notices and he can get over it.
I am still waiting for someone to tune a 5 string DGCFA#.
In the grand scheme of life there really is no right and wrong here ... it is all opinions.
1 string is 25% of the original 4, so a 5 would be 25% more strings than 4. One string on a 5 is 20% of that grouping.
Egads, you didn't need our collective input on this, you play the same parts as the guitarist a lot and he is tuned to drop C so you do the same. Understandable. Your situation is probably a 1%er, so the rest of us were not getting it. A lot of people may not get that(it took about 20 hours for that to come out HERE(, so maybe they tried pressing a 5 on you because they thought you weren't getting it.
Anyway... Idea: If you got a double course 4(8 strings) and tuned to drop C, you could get rid of one of the guitarists. Have it wired to send the neck pickup to a bass amp, bridge pickup to a guitar amp, throw some effects on the bridge output.....(joke)
Egads, you didn't need our collective input on this, you play the same parts as the guitarist a lot and he is tuned to drop C so you do the same. Understandable. Your situation is probably a 1%er, so the rest of us were not getting it. A lot of people may not get that(it took about 20 hours for that to come out HERE(, so maybe they tried pressing a 5 on you because they thought you weren't getting it.
Idea: If you got a double course 4(8 strings) and tuned to drop C, you could get rid of one of the guitarists. Have it wired to send the neck pickup to a bass amp, bridge pickup to a guitar amp, throw some effects on the bridge output.....(joke)
Brilliant! Possibly the first time a guitarist has been replaced by the bassist.
I like when you drop the E to D! It sounds hot and I like to play Tutu with that tuning, although Tutu is played originally from G
Back in the day, I would drop tune in the middle of a song (mostly for effect) These days I rarely drop. The type of music I do can be done in standard or Eb tuning. I think most of the "anti" drop tuning people look at drop tuning as a short cut to actually learning where the notes are on your neck. It's akin to the tab vs notation argument. There are lots of musically educated people that drop tune and some that play all their material in non-standard tuning. So for me the argument is rather silly to say the least. In music their really is no "right" way to play. As long as you are making music that makes you happy then go for it.
