5 String Bass: What You NEED To Know!
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- Опубликовано: 24 мар 2022
- The 5 string bass is an awesome instrument. But who uses one? When do you need one? How do you use the 5th string? What patterns and techniques can you use?
Find out in this 5 string bass guitar tutorial.
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Видеоклипы
Tried a five string, for the first time, just a few days ago. Running through a few of my usual riffs, when I looked at the fret board and thought "Ooh, I could play that G on the B string!" I was surprised at how quickly I adapted to the convenience of the fifth string. Now I want one.
Sounds like you need to get one… 👊
Once you get used to muting the B string, a five just fits into everything - a big thing to consider is the string spacing; I use everything from fenders 19mm Jazz five, OLP/Sterling 17mm, and the ultra skinny Ibanez Roadstar 5 which is 15mm between strings. The wider it is, the better it is for slap and aggressive playing - but for pick playing the skinny Ibanez is awesome. …. B strings sound best when the neck pocket is super tight and stable, and I’ve added an extra set of neck bolts on a couple basses making them six bolt instead of four as it adds stability and sustain on the lower notes.
I completely agree with you, that B string is mainly for impact and it doesn’t have to be played on every song
This is exactly why I picked up a 5 string, more depth, other bass players on RUclips swear that you don’t need a 5 string bass, I don’t care what they think. Great job in showing the advantages of moving up to a 5
🙏🙏
At 72,switching over from an upright double bass to bass guitar I find this intriguing and fun. You’re never too old for anything just keep on plucking!
Absolutely! Keep it up.
Well at your age and my age we are both too old to be given a 21st birthday party but on balance you are 110% correction and yes my percentages go up to 11 (Spinal Tap)
What is is to grow older disgracefully 🎸
You‘re a rare species.
A youtuber that actually worked in the real world. I can tell by the content you provide.
Great job man.
Thanks very much! I’m thankful to still work in the industry and hope I can pass on a few tips.
I always use 5-string basses, and many of the songs I play go down to deep C or even B. It also requires less movement of the fret hand when playing around the 5th fret. And if you really want to make a statement, try playing open E on string 4 and closed E on string 5 at the same time. I do regular BEADG tuning.
Been playing low B 5 string since 1991. Never looked back. They can be a bit heavy and the neck wider or strings closer together, but as you said, find one that works for you. Really handy when singer says can you play it in Eb.
Absolutely!
I have been playing 5 strings since 1987. I fret all my notes, so I can shift up the neck. (Open strings = no control).
It allows for easy excess to two octaves.
When playing with groups that play/change keys, I learn 'patterns'. This allows me to just change to the root position and the pattern remains the same.
It is always fun playing with someone live and off the cuff, when they play an acoustic guitar with a capo. G+3=Bb. Transposing is a lot easier.
Cheers!
i do the same thing on my 5 string....tried explaining it to a few players in our group, and they just didnt get it....its the same idea as using a capo. glad to see im not the only one that thinks/plays like this. love the low B!!
Agree with both of you here with one caveat - when I play fretless I like to have an option to use an open string to help calibrate mid set.
I find the 5 string the most natural - naturally maps out circle of 4ths.
Open means no control? I don't follow as I've used them my whole life. Sometimes you don't need control, just let that sucker ring and sustain. Or, you simply left or right hand mute it in passing
@@zyenathalousScott of Scott's Bass Lessons has a video about why you should and shouldn't use a 5-string. He made the point that you must relearn the instrument and fully utilize the B string just like you did with the E on a 4-string. That means you play positions where your key root note is on the B for half the songs. And when you do this, you get two octaves without changing positions. This seems like the CORRECT approach.
@@Gruuvin1 i've seen it. thanks.
As a bass guitarist, I'm looking at getting a 5-string (Harley Benton) but with a high C rather than low B. I understand I may have to tighten the truss & get another nut, but after playing 4 strings for over 50 years, I think the 5-string would better suit my playing style, as I'm currently playing in a trio with a drummer, & guitarist/vocalist.....
I just bought my first 5 string. Had a few 4 strings, then bought a 6 string. I love it to death, it’s my favorite instrument that I own….but I never seem to use the high C string that much. So when I’m not using it, it just adds unnecessary width the the next. Got a short scale, 4 string fir when I was out and about and had time to fiddle, then noticed I kept wanting the low B after realizing how convenient it actually is. So here I am a year later waiting on my 5 string to show up in the mail. I think that will be my sweet spot. I wont sell my other instruments thought, they all come in handy in different situations lol Plus I have a hard time letting them go. I’ve sold 2 guitars in my life and I always look back and wish I hadn’t.
Lee Sklar addressed the floppy B string by explaining why fan fret basses work so well :)
Yup. I’d love to try one.
8:34 Muting! Probably the most important part of this tute, well explained. Thank you.
Yes, it’s very important! 👍🙏
Dan, I love how calm your teaching approach is. It's refreshing! On the note of the BEAD 5 string...I have a Yamaha BB235 and it is brilliant for the price point. If I pair it up with my Boss GT-1B, I can get pretty much any tone I want without having to swap instruments. My personal biggest issue with playing the 5 initially was accidently hitting the B while plucking on the other strings. My workaround for this was to use a floating thumb approach, as opposed to anchoring, which gives me a bit more control and reach. What I love about the sound of a 5 string is it adds a different tonal palette to play with - an E, F and G on the B string will sound fuller and richer than played on the E because the string is thicker. Not always appropriate, but you have to love that punch it provides.
Well said!
Great video. I only play 5s after years of playing 4 strings. Skipping between 4 and 5 was difficult, so I put my old basses away until I mastered 5 string...now I just stick with what feels natural, which ,for me, is 5 string basses.
I have played 5 string for a long time. Notes below E never sounded all that good to me even in the 35" I own. The real power of 5 string is being able playing mostly in the 5 fret position instead of the open position. 1) Notes there have a lower fundamental sound. 2) Notes are closer so in long gigs you will be more confortable. 3) if you have smaller hands they can be a blessing. This makes them very popular for Latin, Afro and Dance music. I recently found at that this little to do with having 5 strings and everything to do with the scale. By playing on the 5 string you are shortening the scale. You can similar benefits from a lower scale bass. They are becoming popular now these 33" basses. In a shorter length 5 tuned E-C, your E will sound with more beef your high C will sound rounder. is I think matt garrison's bass is like a 32-33".
Thank you sir from across the pond. After using 4 strings forever I too often wondered what to do with the fifth string as it didn’t seem or sound right to use it constantly. I just picked the 5 up yesterday and was quite bewildered by the low B. I at least now know it’s not an every measure string to bomb away in, just tastefully here and there to get the “ Point “ across
Thanks for the video: it confirms what I have been thinking about 5-strings. I started on a 4-string 5.5 years ago. I have my first 5 on order: a Sire P5 (a passive p-bass). It's only 34" scale (scale length was something you missed discussing), so I am hoping the B is not too floppy.
More ramblings: I love playing patterns and dislike the *idea* of drop tunings. The lowest D on a 4-string is really not that low. The low B allows you to play the fifth below all the lowest notes on the E-string. You can play familiar patterns higher up on neck (I am thinking of an F major arpeggio with my middle finger on the F -- 6th fret of the B string).
I tune my 5 String Bass down a half step (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) so that the higher notes are less of a strain on my voice, especailly when I sing.
I am a beginner on bass and I always liked the idea of the functionality of a 5 string bass. But, when you come from "idea" to the practical part, things differ. The first time I tried a 5 string was in a music store, it was an Ibanez, can't remember the model, not from the more expensive ones for sure, and I was shocked in a negative way. B string felt fat and loose, like this string that howsewives hang the clothes to dry! Several months later I managed to buy my first 5 string, an updated ver 2 Sire M7, bought some nice DR Pure Blues strings and tried to adapt. B string sounds bad by itself, more like you can get away with it only if you hit a note rarely here and there in the mix. Even when you play "Superstition" at around 2:48 that fat Eb somehow doesn't sound very "normal", I don't know if I could play the whole song using this loose Eb as my root note. I am still trying to figure out the whole "Do I need a 5 string?"
I like the new thumbnails, good job
Thanks very much. Bit more arty!
I've only ever owned 4 string basses for the past 15 years (5 basses in all). When I've tried to play 5 strings, I found them to be too wide for my comfort. But as of the time of this comment, I'm planning on grabbing my first 5 string later today. Sometimes it's very important to explore outside your own style in order to find a broader perspective. This was a fantastic video!
Thanks! It takes a while to get used to the 5 but it’s a great instrument in my opinion.
Moving from a 4 to a 5-string was hard for me at first!. Now I play exclusively 5-string and occasionally a 6-string. Another great video!!!
Thanks, Keith! 🙏
Been playing a 5 string bass since 1995. I agree with all your reasons for using a 5. Also if you're in a cover band and your singer needs a key change to do the song comfortably then a 5 is also useful there. Had a Stingray 5 and loved it. Now I have a Spector Euro5LXTW. Love it even more. Better, bigger, tighter low B.
so great tip on the muting part it feels like a hack!
Thanks Dan perfect
Harley Bentons are great sounding and inexpensive
I often refactor patterns up the neck on a 5 string from what I'd normally play on a 4 string because in addition to the extra space, you also benefit from the tonal evenness. I have a nice Yamaha 735a now, really playable and versatile, great active sound and passive is great too. I'm now looking for a fretless 5er.
Thanks Dan much appreciated 👍🎸🎸
Cheers, Paul.
I love my 5 string more videos on them please
I like his method of teaching
I have found that my MM Bongo 5 hh is so fun to play and sounds great for practically everything.
You educated me. thanks.
Thanks for watching.
so pleased I discovered this bass channel. Got absolutely sick of many others with their endless hard sell and " you must do THIS!!! etc".
Glad you found my channel! Hope you enjoy the lessons.
Nice work Dan. I play mostly 4 strings, but I also have a Yamaha TRB 6 and absolutely love it - for all the reasons you've described.
Cheers, Todd. 🙏
Love your technique and how well you explained everything so well! Will be resorting to this video in the future when my 5-string comes in :) Much love from Canada!
Thanks! Enjoy your 5 string.
I have a 4 string bass and when I play with it I feel I'm missing something, I Love 5 string bassists I have one fretless and one freted, nice video.
Great video man.
For me my bass I call home would have to be my Schecter Stiletto Studio 5. That bass has been my go to bass for a long time. I have a 4 and it’s fun as hell to play as well, but in the band I’m in we’re playing anywhere from E standard to drop A# and thanks to my 5er (named Ol’ Reliable) I don’t have to swap basses/change tunings for anything. Most I have to do is hit my hipshot dtuner to drop the B to A for the tunings lower than B and I’m covered.
The muting issue is something to consider but with practice/technique before you know it you’re playing and have a technique down for muting. Everyone’s is different, you just gotta find yours.
And for the songs in E standard i just play the songs as normal and add some notes from the lower register tastefully in key parts of the songs.
I've had both 5 and 6 string basses over the years (first one was an Ibanez 5 when they first became available in the mid 1980s), but have been playing 4 string almost exclusively for the last 15 years or so, mainly because I really have no need for 5-string (playing mostly classic rock and funk). I have had a 5 string off and on over the past few years, but the low B tends to just be a thumb rest, so I just stopped using them. That said, I have been planning on getting another 5 string. The new wide spacing G&L 2500 CLF bass looks to be a killer bass, so I'm sort of lusting after it. That bass is so versatile in tone and pickup switching, it could be a one-bass-does-it-all. And as you said in the video, if the fifth string is needed, it's there. If not, well, like I said, it's a convenient thumb rest.
I’ll have to check that G&L out! 👍🙏
Great as always, and when I get a little more of the fundamentals under my belt I'll start your video classes. At 61 I don't learn as fast as I once did. But I am tenacious and will succeed! Going through the Hal book now. Thanks for your videos and free e-book. I think you are a fantastic teacher.
I started at 64 (I think. I can't remember. LOL). I've been playing two years. I feel like what the hell am I doing?! But I love it. Progress seems slow but if I got back even a few months, I can see a difference. I wish I had someone to play with but it's hard to find people who aren't interested in making a career out of it. Anyway, great to hear another seasoned person getting into playing bass. Keep at it and have fun!! I've learned a lot from Dan. I'm sure you will too.
Thanks very much, George. 🙏👍
@@OnlineBassCourses Really like seeing older guys learning to play the bass. I’m 81 and starting about 4 years ago, mainly to keep my brain active and because I love music. Strickly a utube student and I think Dan Hawkins is the best. I know I will never be as good as Dan. My fingers just aren’t as fast, no matter how much I understand what I’m trying to do. All the patterns have helped me to sound like I know what I am doing. I play to a lot of NO BASS BACKING TRACKS and my aim is to sound decent enough to eventually play with my church choir. Also use a Stingray like Dan’s.
@@Bracken1765 Don't bother trying to sound like me, just find what YOU sound like and stick to that. StingRays rule... Thanks for the lovely comment!
Ditto! Lifetime drummer, picked up the bass 6 months ago and going through the Hal book. Not looking to perform but have always loved the bass. Sending positivity to all late starters!! ☺️
Thank you. I saw a 5-string in the music store yesterday that's been calling me (I can't stop thinking about it) on the very same day you dropped this video.
If it’s calling you…get it!
Same thing happened to me this week. I will be answering the call soon.
Thanks for the great lesson Dan! I hope you’ll have more videos about 5 string bass. I started playing 4 string bass almost 4 years ago. I recently got a 5 string (Yamaha TRBX605FM) primarily for community theater pit bands. This bass got very good reviews and since some of the shows I’ll be playing are outdoors I didn’t want to spend thousands for a bass that could be out in the weather. I love my 4 string basses but nearly every bass pit book has songs with notes below E. I find that the low B string allows me to stay “in position” on some phrases where I would have to make shifts to play the same thing on a 4 string. I’ve played bass trombone for decades so I’m used to reading bass clef. I dug out my copy of Ostrander’s “Melodious Etudes for Bass Trombone” which has been great for learning my way around my 5 string.
Great tip with the book - I’ll check it out!
Fantastic! I use a Hipshot de-tuner on a couple of my basses and have only had a cursory understanding of how a 5 string would benefit my playing more. This really broadens my appreciation and desire for acquiring a 5 string. Can't wait to dive in and explore this more. Thanks, Dan!!
Thanks for watching, Allen! 👍
Love 5 string play 4 string for slap and lessons most books are written for 4 string bass
I absolutely love a 5 string bass. I have 5 of them with another one on order. I also have 2 four strings and a 6 string. I use the 5 and 6s for almost everything. The 4 strings rarely come off the shelf so to speak.
You were saying that you add the B string with taste but my favourite technique is to take a tune that uses strictly the 4 strings and change it to add the B string to chamge the sound compared to the original. I do it to Fortunate Son by CCR where i use the B to do the chorus which totally accentuates the song.
I also use it on various other songs to allow me to change the 'mood' of it for lack of a better term.
That’s fantastic. Great use of a 5!
@@OnlineBassCourses i absolutely love my 5 strings. I think they are the perfect basses.
I ❤ my 5ers! I find I actually had to teach myself how to play that low B. When I started playing bass there wasnt much instruction out there for 5 string basses. I did figure it out and wouldn't be without it! But yeahhhhh...I def had to learn some things by figuring it out. 😉
That’s the way to do it! I was 13 and didn’t have a clue. Figuring it out for yourself is often the best way because you’re forced into THINKING… 👍🙏
I used to play only 4-string and wouldn‘t touch a bass with more strings. Eventually, I got two Warwick 5-string basses, liked the low B, but struggled with the narrow string spacing (16.5mm iirc). Now I own two Marleaux 5-stringers (one fretless, one fretted) with 19mm spacing, and a Marleaux 6-string with 18mm spacing. My 4-stringers mainly collect dust…
Those Marleaux basses are amazing.
I have a 4-String 20-Fret Silvertone By Samick Precision Bass that I got from my Mom as a birthday gift back in 2006. Then I had a 5-String ESP LTD B55 Bass with 24 Jumbo Frets. I gave it to a friend of mine because he gave me a free Electric Guitar that someone told him to give to me. That person just had it laying around his house. It needs some work dun on it though. But any, I now have a Sterling by Music Man Subray5 5-String 22-Fret Bass with two of those humbucker pickups, a two band EQ containing Bass and Treble, and it also has a 5-way selector switch for the pickups that goes from bridge to neck like so: Full bridge pickup, Outer Coils of both pickups, both pickups on full, the inner coils of both pickups, and the neck pickup on full. And it is an army Green color with a Navy Blue strap. And then I have an Ibanez 6-String 24-Fret Bass with two humbucker pickups, a pickup pan knob, a three band eq containing bass, mid, and treble, and a coil selector switch that I think goes top coils, bottom coils, and a mode called power tap which I'm sure you guessed it, both top and bottom coils. So you go from the most basic 4-string to in some ways, the most versatile 6-String that I have at least. And the 5-String is the Goldy Lox that sits in the middle. I also have a 4-String 21-Fret Acoustic Bass from Best Choice Products. And it is just fun to pick up and play on. But I have played it in a bon fire session with some friends of mine. And there was one time we had an acoustic session at a church I used to go to where I did use the little saddle pickup in the bass. So all my basses are covered. Pun intended.
Good stuff, John!
Cool
I always thought that the low 5 string was tuned to A because some bassist tuned it to that for a song. I think it was Bush.
I'm a 4-string player, but my 5-string comes in really handy in two of the bands I'm in, and another that I sub in occasionally. I started out only using the B string on songs that require me to play below a low E, but pretty quickly I started using the higher register of the B string to play more basslines higher on the neck. And often it just makes it so I don't have to shift nearly as much. It's a 35" scale, so the low B string is super clear. If anything I need to get a set of those ground-wound strings on it to tame the tone 😂
🤣
man, that bass sounds awesome. debating a Jazz vs Stingray. Jazz just seems more versatile though.
It probably is more versatile. I use my StingRay 5 a lot live but probably do want a jazz 5 of some sort.
I bought a Lakland 55-01 skyline deluxe a little over 1 year ago on a gut feeling that I would really enjoy playing a 5 and I was right. 35” scale, 19 mm spacing, heavy, “the beast” as I call it, and I thoroughly enjoy it. Great video as usual!
I have 5502 love 5 string and 2 sires p7 4string and vintage v7 5 string
That sounds like a cool bass!!
Love my 55-02!
Fascinating and informative. The way you present your videos is like talking with a friend in the pub although I'm not sure how many friends take a bass guitar along when they're going out for beer? it is all about the bass though.
when I do become a patron your channel is a top contender but at the moment have too much on my plate immediately play it open stages in jam sessions. If I became a patron it would be like joining a gym and never going😂😭 now ill send a question 👍👍👍
Thanks! Mine’s a pint 🍺
Just picked up a j5 essence from Anaconda. Still wrapping my brain around the extra string, but love the bass - absolute tone monster.
Anacondas are great basses.
Thanks Dan! Didn't know, those Elites Strings are still available. I used to play Elites Stadiums (stainless steel) a lot a few years ago. Very good reasonally priced strings!
Thanks. Yes, I really like them. £5 worldwide shipping!!
Very informative as usual. I hope to buy a 5 string in the near future
Thanks for watching.
I've used a 5 string Status for years, and although I love 4 strings the 5 is so much more versatile. All this "if 4 was enough for Jacko" and the like misses the point entirely, and there's plenty of room for every taste. It's not like anyone's trying to outlaw the 4s, after all. Thanks for the video!
Agree with you 100% Geoff! It’s a very strange argument indeed (IMHO).
Hello I'm a five string player also, and play tuned down to A (A,D,C,G,F). Similar to Andrew Gouche! Great tuning for church songs especially for those male lead singers that like singing in E flat or B flat or even A!
Great idea - must sound awesome!
I have recently gone the way of 5 string and am enjoying getting it under my fingers. I got a Dingwall so having to wrap my brain around multi scale too. I think one of the biggest advantages, and one you didn’t mention, is key changes - so much easier on a 5 string so if you’re playing a gig with singers who may need to do a last-minute change a 5 string is a godsend
Thanks! Did I not mention that? Because it’s the number one advantage for me too. I’ll probably do a separate video on that one…
I just recently picked up the 5-string more, because in my new band we play "Strutter" by Kiss and I was just too lazy to tune the bass down half a note every time we play it. XD
And it also reduces the need to shift in other songs. So it's really nice to have. But I still prefer my four string basses to be honest.
👍
I have recently purchased a 5 string Music man stingray. Im loving it. I play in a 2000's pop punk band that has 8 drop D songs. To play them on a five string is a doddle, I love it. Oh, and the punch f the music man is just awesome.
As an owner of Ray 5. Only problem is G string is easy to push out of finger board.
Probably super helpful for drop tuned songs and maintaining consistent instrument intonation. But, 5 strings seem like an instrument for working bassists or serious hobbyists. Still working on cleaning up the muting technique on a 4.
Thanks Brendan. I think you’re right. Or for bass players who play music requiring the extended range. Otherwise, you don’t need one.
Beautiful Stingray man!!!! I got 6 myself!! Love them like my children lol I’ve never tried a hi C but have thought of it for years. Might be great to try I love chordal arrangements
6?? I need more…
@@OnlineBassCourses definitely!! I tell my woman that too. She knows I’m on the prowl for a dingwall next lol 3 basses ago she said how many more do you need and I said one more lol.
@@bassimprovjams3772 the correct answer…
My 5 is hanging on the wall and it's calling me.I need to use it more.5 is the limit for me, though I've an 8 string course bass but that's a horse of a different color.
I play bass reason well but I am definitely not a musician. no more than I speak English, but I am not a poet. I wish people would understand the difference. I guess I would call myself a rock God😂😂😂
after a 51-year break I started playing again and it's such a pleasure and such fun and I have never been drawn to a 5 string And one reason is that most of them appear to have white necks and for me are not aesthetically pleasing.
however, I recently bought a Harley Benton barritone as not only is it beautiful but it reminds me of the Fender 6 I had for week circa 1968😂
I didn't realise how complicated the potential tunings are and it is advertised and I bought it as an octave below a conventional six string.
THE QUESTION Do you have any tutorials on using a baritone guitar please?
I bought it mainly for fun and the challenge and I don't use a pic so believe me it is a challenge and also I'm not a musician😂😂😂
I didn't buy it to try to be a lead guitarist and I only know a few chords but
1) a D fur example sounds awful and muffled but that is probably me not playing the chord well 🤣
2) I'm really not a fan of Bass solos but I do like bass brakes And interesting walking patterns in Blues numbers and I thought with 6 strings my random walking bass breakes can be even longer but when I move across to the B and E strings They sound very thin aaaarrrrhgggghhh
thank you for reading this and my comments tend to be longer than a drum solo which is a worry 🎸🎸🎸
HELP I need somebody to quote the song
Unfortunately I don’t! I’d like one though. Welcome back to bass…
great vid !!!!
what's your opinion about marcus miller v5 5string? I'm about to start playing with 5 strings and I think its a good option ...
Thanks! No opinion as I’ve never played one. I hear they’re good though…
I have two five string basses, both of them strung with low B. Sire V7 and Yamaha trbx505. I also have a fretless 4 string. My workhorse bass is Sire V7 with ash body and maple neck, it is a nice active jazz-ish bass. Yamaha has two humbuckers and a tone of its own, I would like to sell it cause the tone is not apealing to me anymore, but I like the bass because it weighs almost nothing and for 24 frets . The only 4 string I have is my first bass ever. It is a Frankenstein made from Stagg. I put better pickups (Seymour Duncan) in it cause the stock ones were broken and had it defretted. It sings. I would like to try other five string tunings, with High C or with a low F sharp (lower than B).
I chose 5 string cause I play covers and sometimes not in the original key, so the 5th string makes playing easier.
I have way too many guitars and basses - my excuse is if the Mrs needs different shoes to match her outfits then I can have different colours and string combos :-)
SX is my 5 string fretless - low B.
Sire M2 is my 5 string fretted - low B
Steinberger Gibson Spirit is 5 string - decided E to C.
The rest are 4 string fret/fretless.
The Steinberger is moving into guitar territory and super for travel / lightweight / balance.
The SX allows haunting tones.
The Sire has that active preamp - bit bright.
All of them benefit from FX pedals.
I have fender mustang what string would recommend for it, I still have the factory strings on it, I definately want to change them for something better. I truly enjoy your lessons they have been most helpful thank you.😎
Thanks, Henry. I have the standard ones on mine so I can’t really recommend anything. Justin Meldal-Johnsen recommends some in this thread: www.talkbass.com/threads/jmj-road-worn-mustang-bass-detailed-photos.1382356/#post-22210483
I'm feeling still as a beginner and feel quite comfortable on my 4 string and all my favorite players like Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten are naming it on there 4 strings....but I want to give it a try with the 5 string.....but actually I want to be save with my 4 then try the 5......Thank you for the video!It is very informative and motivating as always to continue my path!Cheers
If you just starting and you are interested in a 5 get it now because 4 and 5 strings are different If you start on a 4 string you will have to relearn some things when you go to the 5 I play both started on 4 went to 5 i switch back and forth But sometimes I still hesitate when I get confused between which bass I'm playing and I have been playing 47 years . So I would say to save yourself some time and confusion just get the 5 string now and get used to that
@@calvinwilds46 thanks for the tip!great advice I will consider it deeply
@@nikolasmareske1200 I'm in a similar position. If you want to play a 5, get it now, don't wait to "get good" with a 4 string. I'm playing my 5 string for ~2 months now and it's second nature to me, I don't think about going back to 4, since there's literally no reason to.
@@AlexandarShmex thank you!!!I will go for it!!!Cheers
Thanks, Nickolas. No need to change if you’re happy and still exploring. Keep it up! Like I say, you can always add a cheap one later.
"How do I use my B string more?" Would anyone ever ask, "How do I use the 21st (or 22nd, 23rd ...) fret more?" How often do any players play the highest fret? Yet we still like to have them there.
Thank you. Some points are very accurate. Especially when it comes to flavor when using very low notes.
Why did you choose Stingray and not, for example, Jazz Bass or G&L L-2500 or something else?
Nearly 20 years ago I had two of my main basses (both 5 strings) stolen after a gig - along with all my live gear. I needed to get back up and running as soon as possible as I had a lot of work in the diary.
Went to the Bass Centre and the StingRay and a Warwick were the two basses available that I liked. Went with the SR5 and have loved it ever since.
To be quite honest, I’m not too bothered about brands. I reckon I could make do with any good instrument (of which there are loads!). 🙏
@@OnlineBassCourses thank you. Sad story, of course.
But I didn't focus on brands. It seems to me that the B-string on the Stingray sounds more clearly than, for example, on the JB.
Didn't Tony Levin use B string in Don't give up?
I’d have to check; not sure!
Tony Levin plays Stingray 5, so it's likely.
Thanks for this lesson Dan. I have thought about a 5 string, but I don't really need it. I was thinking about it as a few guys I know want me to join them but they play everything a semitone lower and I tried it once at a gig but after the gig I started having issues with my bridge. I was wondering if I that extra string if I can use that to get around it.
I used to be in a band where they tuned down and I just played on a 5. Many do tune a 4 down though. Maybe you could ask a luthier to help set your bass up for that?
If they get really serious and have gigs lined up then I will invest in a 5 string rather then getting my set up adjusted.
Dan, you were a Vandella band member? So cool,I grew up on the music.Dancin' in the streets,Jimmy Mack,Heat wave and Nowhere to run among many hits.Takes me back to being a kid in the 60s.So cool
I wouldn’t say member but I’ve played with her many times, yes!
@@OnlineBassCourses Your at least an honorary.Almost as good as being a Pip.😆🤣
@@kevmac1230 😅
I D-tuned a whole step to DGCF and found I loved it. Now I tuned my 4-string to BEAD and I love that. So I think I'm going to move to a five string. Plus thanks to your video, I love the idea of ease of doing 2 octive patterns. Sounds great! Thanks Dan!
Very cool! I think Ross Valory from Journey was one of the first to tune BEAD.
One interesting video would be on how you achieve your sound which ilikevery much
Thanks, Olivier. I think I did one of those quite recently! Have a search on my RUclips channel and if you want something more specific, let me know.
Have been tempted by a 5 string, not sure there is much call for a 5 string in punk 😂 😂 😂. Would be nice to see some more lessons with the 5 string though
Yeah, I think you’re right about 5s and punk! 👍
Is it good for slapping and piping.
Yes. Maybe a bit more difficult but still fine.
This video is just what I needed as I’m considering getting a 5 string. If you could do another video like this about fretless basses that would be awesome!
Get a fretless 5 string ;-)
Great idea, Matt. I’ll probably do that next week. 👍
@@jonniegibbins I've been thinking about it! The idea is to have the functionality of both a 5 string and a fretless in one.
I was watching your video and I couldn’t help but notice it seems like your action is pretty high on that music man stingray or is that just an optical illusion? Do you set up your own basses? Would that be a good video to do? Do you setup your basses…your playing sounds great.
Thank you! I sometimes do setups, I sometimes take it someone. Different basses have different setups.
I also don’t really bother too much - I just play it the way it is unless it’s very bad! I live in an 80% + humidity country which is not great for necks.
The action on the StingRay is actually not high though.
At first I couldn't play a fiver. But then it suddenly just clicked. I can easily switch now between 4 and 5.
All the reasons and tips you mention - I can totally relate.
What's that bass, which headstock is on the preview?
Zoot Funkmeister 5 made by Mike Walsh.
@@OnlineBassCourses Cheers!
what strings come with the b string tapered where it goes over the bridge?
I’m not 100% sure…
5 string are great can change it to D I don't want more then a 5,👍
Hi Dan,
thank you for that introduction into 5 strings. I have two 4 strings right now, but I wanna try out a 5-string, because sometimes, I miss a tune right below E. So as you metioned in your video, I want to use the B string rarely.
I ordered my first Harley Benton 5 string yesterday and I'm geeting curious how this will work for me with the more narrow string spaces. Anyway - the critics on HB basses are not that bad and they are pretty inexpensive. So I will loose that much money, if it doesnt work for me.
Greetings from rhine-main-region, germany 🤘
Alex
Thanks, Alex. They’re so good/affordable that you can’t really go wrong.
@@OnlineBassCourses Hi Dan,
I received ime last saturday. It's all good - I just have to adjust the strings a few millimeters closer to the fretboard. What I'm currently struggeling with, is playing that beast. But I've already heared, that I have to re-organize all my synapsis, when coming from a 4 string and start practicing with a 5 string.
elixir strings.
He tells me truth I use my thumb to keep
The strings from humming
Dan do you recommend any books for someone coming from double bass (upright) over to bass guitar. I can read bass and treble clef fluently but need something more in the way of technique for the bass guitar. Any advice is appreciated.
Well, I have written a bass technique book as it happens so I’m going to recommend that! Complete Fingerstyle Bass Technique. It includes articulations, shifting, plucking etc. etc. you can find it on Amazon or check my site for links to a PDF version. The technique is different on bass guitar so it’s work really learning some exercises and all the different ways to mute etc.
Thank you for the information I will get a copy
Hello Dan, I don't know anything about the proper use of a fret wrap. Is it a tool that helps to eliminate harmonic ringing when you play a 5 string? So I can use this along the with floating thumb technique? Or do you typically use one or the other? When I was an absolute beginner I bought a 5 string bass guitar and found out that I didn't have the muting skills to eliminate the harmonic ring. So I quit the 5 string and sold the guitar just learned to play on my 4 string basses. Now that I can play a little tiny bit,😂, and understand more about playing bass, I want to give the 5 String bass another try. Now I wish I hadn't sold my 5 string bass.😡
Always the way! Those wraps are really good for tapping and slapping techniques where the hands are too busy to mute.
I am trying to learn yet i am stuck with should I learn in person or use videos? I have an Ibanez 5 string...
If you find a good teacher, go for it.
If you're used to playing stuff in Drop D on a 4-string, what would be your suggestion of how to adjust to play these fingering patterns that would normally occur on the "low D string" to map between the B and E string(s)? Particularly if you're sight reading a fingering chart that assumes a 4-string in Drop D? Hopefully you can infer from my question that I am not at the pro level but still learning.
Or would you still recommend retuning to a Drop D for those songs and leave the B alone?
It’s personal preference. Because I started very early on a 5, Drop D on a 4 string is confusing to me as I don’t really know the shapes.
If I had to, I’d just practice for hours until I got used to it. I think that’s my advice. Just play loads until the thing that was unfamiliar is now familiar.
In my experience reading music or charts, nothing is specifically written for Drop D. Most players would use a 5 string to cover the 5 notes below E.
You might be referring to TAB though, I’m not sure…
But, playing in different keys on a 5 is really easy because the shapes are the same as a 4 string. With Drop D, they’re a bit different. You’ll get used to it.
@@OnlineBassCourses Yes you're right, I think I meant tabs. Thanks so much for the advice and the quick reply!
Would like a recommendation for a neck-diveless 5 string under $1000 (USD) if anyone has one.
Is there a need for me to buy a special kind of bass guitar if I want a high C tuning, or can I just do that to my low B, 5 string Bass?
I think you can modify a normal 5 string but you’d probably need a new nut and bridge or at least some adjustments made.
@@OnlineBassCourses Oh...that's what I thought...I was asking specifically for the Yamaha TRBX 305...Thanks for the info...This helps
Another brilliant video Dan. My main concern is, if I’m still trying to learn 4 string, do I really need a 5?
Thanks, Mark. I’d say you only need a 5 if you need/want one. Otherwise, stick to the 4 for now! The transition isn’t that hard in my opinion.
I think it is like language. I know a couple where the husband is bi-lingual, the wife not. The husband speaks to the children in english and to his wife in spanish. The wife speaks Spanish to children and husband. The children are fluent in both languages! Therefore, get a five and play it along with the four occasionally. That way you won't get ridgidly bonded to the four making learning the five another difficult thing to do and giving up like I did.
@@moeb4348 I actually got a 5 then last month I got a 6. I love all my basses but probably play the 4 the most. It’s one massive learning curve.
Would you negotiate that bass?
Trade for Yamaha Trb 5p?
Not for sale, thanks!
I’ve played fives for most of my gigging life, I almost never bother with a four
Most of the challenges of playing a 5 string, like spacing and muting, are fixed with a few hard core practice sessions, or getting a bigger amp/speaker. The biggest downside to playing a 5 string, and certainly the most difficult to remedy, is the annoying derision of the 4 string purists that feel a need to point out how long ago Leo designed a P Bass, how many players, and who doesn't need a 5 string, and all the other stupid ways to make a 4 string more versatile. This is the one downside that doesn't have a reasonable remedy.
Anyone that insists that a kid that's into modern music "start out on a 4 string and then move up to a 5" is wasting that kid's time and money, and validating their own antiquated outlook.
I'm beginner on bass, but i like metal song, which 1 better, 4 or 5 strings?
Hard to say… it depends what songs you want to play. If lots of them are going really low and those players use 5 strings (and not a 4 tuned down) then it might make sense to get a 5. Otherwise, start on a 4, learn the fundamentals, play all styles of music (I highly recommend this), and then get a 5 to add to the collection.
@@OnlineBassCourses @Dan Hawkins Bass Lessons thanks for the advice,🙏this will be considered. i like to hear slipknot, BMTH, and flea RHCP also good.
What's your opinion on why the two greatest bassist in the world play 4 string basses ? Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten.
I’ve seen both play 5 strings before (when needed). I don’t really have an opinion. They both decide to mainly play 4 string fretted bass. It doesn’t really mean too much that they do.
@@OnlineBassCourses Thanks for the reply Hawk . I'm thinking about getting a 5 string bass soon . Which brand do you think has the most space between each string? Thanks .... Love your content !
@@redd6399 Thanks! I just got a comment about the new wide-spacing G&L 2500 CLF and that looks worth checking out. Otherwise, just check the specs of basses online. I think Sadowsky do some wider necked 5s but always check (and then try out for yourself).
@@OnlineBassCourses THANKS HAWK ! I appreciate it .
@@redd6399 👊
I just use my wrist to mute the strings when slapping on my five or six-string basses. It's not that hard, really.
The bass audio is much lower than the speech/voice and so I have to ride the volume to hear what you’re playing.
Thanks for the feedback. Weirdly enough, this end, it sounds ok - the bass is really loud and I can hear the vocals fine. What are you listening on?
@@OnlineBassCourses I was listening on my phone speaker. Perhaps that’s why.
Thank you 😊
@@avellat2002 I think that’s almost definitely the reason! It would be better to use headphones - at least - or listen on better speakers to really hear the tone. 🙏
I don't know. It is what it is. You like it - or you don't.