thunderbird13 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Not that exciting of course - but at rehearsal last night I realised that I'm really struggling playing a 5 string. even playing simple stuff I make too many stupid mistakes ( hittting the wrong string, not hitting the string at all etc)., I've been playing one for about a year now and I would have thought that that should be long enough to get to grips with it ( although if I've never played a gig with one) The annoying thing is that I'm OK playing by myself but the added pressure of playing with other people makes me make more mistakes TBH the only reason I play a 5er is because the singer always drops the keys lower and its really helpful for me to change keys So what should I do - stick with it , give it up and go back to 4 or should I spend more time using string crossing excercises ( as opposed to practicing the set for my current band) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 What do you do when you practise with it? Its possible that your practice isn't sufficiently allowing you to build knowledge of the lower string, so when it comes to performance time your focusing so much on getting stuff on the B string right that your going to make mistakes because your not relaxed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Stick with it, if you can do it on your own you can do it with others (oooer). My usual advice is sit in a dark room, lights off (oooer again...) and see if you can still play (oooer....ffs) /Innuendo Post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbird13 Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='blackmn90' timestamp='1321443399' post='1439100'] What do you do when you practise with it? Its possible that your practice isn't sufficiently allowing you to build knowledge of the lower string, so when it comes to performance time your focusing so much on getting stuff on the B string right that your going to make mistakes because your not relaxed [/quote] Actually I should have said - its not the B string that gives me the problem - its A, D and G !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 OK, first caveat - I am not, never have been, bever will be a teacher - this is purely how it worked for me - I started off with 5 string concentrating on the fifth position and working on simple stuff like walking bass lines until comfortable effectively transposing stuff. From there I found it fairly straight forward moving down the neck, although I must admit, using open position did take a while longer. This may stem from the fact that I am not very happy playing in the open position in the first place having spent many years as a rhythm guitarist in a Big Band so playing a lot in Bb, Ab and Eb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='thunderbird13' timestamp='1321443677' post='1439106'] Actually I should have said - its not the B string that gives me the problem - its A, D and G !! [/quote] our posts crossed - I should add a further caveat - I very rarely venture as high as the G!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Agree with the above posts. It sounds like it's pressure that might be the problem rather than the fifth string. Why not try and find some relaxation execises that suit you. Use them before band practice and see how that helps. Like the idea of playing with yourself in the dark as well (Oh, shutup) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Play, play and play. I remember being stuck in a rut a long time ago. Simply get stuck in there and over time the inhibition and nerves will melt away as your confidence grows and the familiarity of the instrument takes over. You probably won't even realise it's happening until one day you look back and realise it has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 are you using floating thumb technique? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbird13 Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='blackmn90' timestamp='1321444632' post='1439131'] are you using floating thumb technique? [/quote] No a pick - it seems to suit what I play better - although floating thumb is my favoured technique - might go back to that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer61 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Me too, I tried and tried but ended up going back to a four and will never stray over to a five again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 maybe your pick technique is more suited to 4 strings? ie, lots of pick movement on a bass with tight string spacing would be difficult. It might be worth watching players such as anthony jackson use a pick, he has barely any motion in his arm or wrist when he does. Or go back to fingerstyle. Also a good way to get used to 5 string basses, play scales over 3 octaves using every string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanbrook Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 [size=5][sup]i think it took me about 2 years to get fully comfortable and i was gigging about 2-3 times a week.[/sup][/size] [size=5][sup]the only reason i changed was also because of a singer changing keys,but i am so happy i stuck with it.[/sup][/size] [size=5][sup]the tip about playing in the fith fret is cool it helped me alot[/sup][/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 (edited) [size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]You can do two things: [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]You need to get some confidence back when playing this instrument, so forget the B string and just play the top 4 strings. Imagine and play it like a 4 string. Stick your thumb on the B string and don’t play it, then, when you’re happy, gradually introduce B string notes. [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]Or, just put in the hours. Starting on the wrong string is a common problem. It just means you need to improve your technique and visualise the fretboard as a bunch of notes, not shapes starting from the bottom string.[/font][/color][/size] Edited November 17, 2011 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1321531801' post='1440194'] [size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]You can do two things: [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]You need to get some confidence back when playing this instrument, so forget the B string and just play the top 4 strings. Imagine and play it like a 4 string. Stick your thumb on the B string and don’t play it, then, when you’re happy, gradually introduce B string notes. [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]Or, just put in the hours. Starting on the wrong string is a common problem. It just means you need to improve your technique and visualise the fretboard as a bunch of notes, not shapes starting from the bottom string.[/font][/color][/size] [/quote] That sounds like good advice. Thing is, I start to feel comfortable on the 5 then when I go back to the 4 with its luxurious spacing and shallow neck I feel like I've taken off a big heavy coat and a pair of wellies. And a diving helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 OK, I've been playing bass (4 string) for 40 years, give or take. Year before last I decided I'd give it a go on a 5 string. Decided what I wanted and waited several months for delivery. It finally arrived, it looked great and sounded awesome. Spent a few months at home getting used to it before using it in the real world... To cut a long story short...I ditched it! I wasn't enjoying playing it. It was a bit like living with and loving a woman for 40 years, only to wake up one morning with another...great fun to start with, but the novelty soon wears off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 [quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1321533015' post='1440214'] OK, I've been playing bass (4 string) for 40 years, give or take. Year before last I decided I'd give it a go on a 5 string. Decided what I wanted and waited several months for delivery. It finally arrived, it looked great and sounded awesome. Spent a few months at home getting used to it before using it in the real world... To cut a long story short...I ditched it! I wasn't enjoying playing it. It was a bit like living with and loving a woman for 40 years, only to wake up one morning with another...great fun to start with, but the novelty soon wears off. [/quote] Could have been worse, like waking up with a woman and finding she has a little extra something down below I had to stop playing 4 stringers for about 6 months to get used to only playing 5 stringers. And then when I went back to 4 strings I'd get confused again on both. It took a while but suddenly I noticed I was having no problems going between 4 and 5, although 6 strings still throws me a bit. I probably need to go through the same process with 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 [quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1321533432' post='1440220'] Could have been worse, like waking up with a woman and finding she has a little extra something down below [/quote] A B string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Don't touch the 4....use the 5 exclusively..and play like a 4..as chris said...using the string the way you might anchor on a pickup. Then step out occasionally and go to the low B string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 To put it short, no matter how you look at it - you are playing the way you are practising (as rough as it sounds). You have to make your practice more efficient, first of all, stop watching TV, take incoming calls, look after kids, surf Basschat anything.. Then, concentrating on the practice process itself, and do the right exercises. It seems that you don't really know how to cure your problem, so your best bet would be getting a teacher - a good teacher would notice your issues even without telling him at first, just by playing. You might want to read this and that; http://www.joehubbardbass.com/494/finger-dexterity-exercises-for-bass-guitar/ http://www.joehubbardbass.com/332/bass-guitar-practice-principles-part-1/ http://www.joehubbardbass.com/317/bass-attributes-part-2/ take care, Laimis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 5 string bass is one string away from being a guitarist. You are on a slippery slope my boy. You have been warned :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jondeeman Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 How about sticking with the 4 and getting a Hipshot detuner thingy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 [quote name='Linus27' timestamp='1321548180' post='1440544'] 5 string bass is one string away from being a guitarist. You are on a slippery slope my boy. You have been warned :) [/quote] While this is true, 4 string bass is one step closer to being a drummer. Your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 [quote name='thunderbird13' timestamp='1321443677' post='1439106'] Actually I should have said - its not the B string that gives me the problem - its A, D and G !! [/quote] Oh, them three/, just cut them off. Proper answer, stick with the 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 all my basses are re-strung and tuned BEAD because; a) I'm playing ska/reggae influenced material and the low notes sound great I've never got on with 5 string basses, mostly due to the weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.