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#279504 - 01/09/10 02:11 AM
Re: Is it a good Idea to get a Five String Bass
[Re: DaveBass]
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Bassface7
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 30/09/09
Posts: 197
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I love my 5 string for feel more than anything else, i just prefer the broader neck, i find it suits my playing style better. Also resting my thumb on the low B instead of on the pickup for the majority of playtime is more comfortable for me. But tonally i find i rarely use that low B except for the odd octave.
- Nick
_________________________
"Bassface" When four feint lines are present across the face of a guitarist, usually following an incident involving rock 'n' roll, booze and a clumsy bassist.
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#279761 - 09/09/10 09:24 AM
Re: Is it a good Idea to get a Five String Bass
[Re: Bassface7]
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Annoying Twit
Forum Council Member
Old Timer
Registered: 05/05/08
Posts: 3144
Loc: East Midlands, UK
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I have 4, 5, and 6 string basses. One of each. I mostly practice on the 4, but only because it's available. I don't think there is that much difference, but from what I've read, I think others have more trouble with the wider necks than me. When on more strings, I definitely use them. but, I'm not a professional, I only play for enjoyment.
Others are more experienced than I, but I don't see a problem with starting on a 5. It depends on how much you like the extra low notes. Some love them, some aren't bothered.
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#280078 - 25/09/10 04:50 PM
Re: Is it a good Idea to get a Five String Bass
[Re: mikemandolin]
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Danmeemusic a.k.a. BB
Forum Council Member
Old Timer
Registered: 02/01/02
Posts: 1898
Loc: Manchester or Shropshire
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You know, a lot of it depends on the style of music you play. I think as a rule of thumb, you can play pretty much everything on a 4 that you would play on a 5. The only real differences are basically what DaveBass says. If you play drop-D, or in Eb or Bb a lot, then you'll find the extra string useful. I play a lot of soul music, as well as funk and jazz, and tend to use it a fair amount. There's nothing like the rumble you can get playing a low C.
Most of the time, you'll still find you stay within the normal range of the instrument. What I mean is that it's quite common to have extended ranges in different instruments, take the saxophone for instance. A standard baritone sax used to have a lowest note that was slightly higher, but you could get extended range ones with a low A (concert C) key, but most of the time you'd still play down to the original lowest note (I can't remember what it was btw).
You'll probably find that you use it more for playing up the neck. Take the song Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder, He constantly writes in B, and the break in this song is quite a tricky one. Nate Wattss (the bass player) used to play a 4 string tuned down a semitone, but now mostly plays a five. Anyway, the break is quite difficult to fit all the notes in comfortably on a 4, but put it on a 5, and it sits really nicely. You'll find that 2 octave scales are much easier as well because there is much less of a position shift between the octaves.
Other than that, I mostly use mine for dramatic effect, letting it rumble when it needs to, and using the sub-E notes when I'm in a flat key or something.
I'm sure I could go on an on, and really bore you with other stuff, but I'll try not to this time. Good luck with it, I'm sure you'll be able to have a lot of fun finding your way on it!
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