MadMatt
Well-known member
Howdy Folks,
I recently swapped a 25th 4HH for a 5HH. This means I have to spend some time getting my head around doin' this 5 string thing. I though I will make this a blog, posting at regular intervals. This means you will read me try some things that help, and maybe others the don't.
Before I start I think it would be best I give everyone a brief Bio of myself so you know my experience level and what I play. I started playing Bass 2 years ago after sitting behind the drum set for a while. I play in a pop/rock cover band. I moved to bass after we lost our bassist and could not find a replacement (I've never looked back since). We cover a wide spectrum from the 60's to modern stuff. If we like a song then we'll play it. We all do this as a hobby and currently have only have one gig a year planned.
When you read this, one thing to bear in mind is that the main reason I decided to switch to a 5 string is so I can practice a song to the original, and then play it in the band without problems when we transpose it down a step or two. About half our songs are transposed at least one tone lower than the original. The ability to easily transpose forms the basis for how I am approaching the transition. This may be a mistake... we will see
I play mostly finger style but use a pick on only one song (German: Dein ist Mein Ganzes Herz) and (attempt) to slap only on Like I Do from Melissa Etheridge.
Another thing to note is that up until 2 years ago my knowledge of harmonics and musical theory was extremely limited. Some things I try might be obvious to the more experienced players but they may be monumental to me.
So, enough said now I'll start.
Day 1 - First impressions, Baby steps:
The 25th 5HH has arrived... I will not go into what an incredible instrument this is... I think you've heard it all before (See the quote in my signature).
The first time playing it I'm surprised that I can do a half way decent job of playing some songs. I though it would be harder. I do notice Its more difficult to get the groove or feeling right. For example the first time playing "Sweet home Alabama" it just did not sound right. My timing on some of the fingering, for example the A-B-D tap in the refrain just did not want to work. The Interlude felt and sounded a little weird. I decided to forget playing songs and I practiced scales for a while. Now I really don't like practicing scales. I only know 2: Blues and Major (that is enough to get me by for now)
I spent some time learning to do scales across 2 octaves That is something I never did well on my 4 string and it is surprisingly easy on the 5. I also did a lot of chromatic fingering using one finger per fret over 4 frets on every string. I did all these exercises slowly, not only concentrating on getting my fingers accustomed to the fretboard, but also on muting the open un-played strings with both my right and left hand.
After about 3 hours of scales and songs I feel pretty comfortable with it. Sweet Home is sounding a bit more normal I'm getting the hang of it.
July 18, 2010 - Learning everything all over again:
I did not have any time to spend with the bass until this morning. I've taken Grand Wazoo's suggestion and I am re-learning my songs, them while keeping my hand pretty much planted at the 5th fret postion. I am fortunate enough to be blessed with long fingers so spaning 4 frets, using the pinky finger on the B string, 8th fret (G) is working well. The one thing the really popped into my head is that the patterns of the chord progression seem to make more sense now Maybe its because I did not learn to play the 4 string correctly but I have the feeling the B string makes the fret board more logical and fall into place better. I can now cover 2 octaves on the C Major scale from E to E with only having to move my hand slightly on the D and G strings... this is awesome! Songs that previously required a lot of hand movement (Thats because I tried to avoid to playing open strings when possible) can almost all be comfortably played while on the 5th fret.
The greatest thing about I like about not having to move my hand as much is I now don't have to concentrate on my fretting as much. I can focus a bit more the sound and muting. Muting is not as big of an issue as I though it would be... I think mainly because I learned to mute correctly on the 4 string using both hands (Left mutes the the higher strings, the right thumb the lower strings). If you play finger style and are thinking about switching to a 5 string do yourself a favor and concentrate on muting the A string with the right thumb when playing the G string. Scales really help learn this.
Also I personally like having the B string to anchor on. I anchored on the pickup on the 4 string and always felt uncomfortable when I shifted my hand forward. Anchoring on the B allows me to move forward and back more comfortably. Also the position my hand naturally moves to is actually about 1cm closer to the neck than the pickup anchored position. I actualy like the sound better there so thats another win/win.
I'll be taking the advice below... and simply play, play play and not switching between a 4 and 5 string. My 4 string fretless beater has been packed away in the basement and the 25th 5HH is all I have to play (until my "new bass fund" has been sufficiently stocked)
July 23, 2010 - First Band practice:
Band practice was moved from Monday to Thursday this week. This gave me a few more days to practice. It went well enough but I still am not at a comfort level for a gig. Did few of the errors mentioned below, I started on the wrong string, got C und F mixed up or completely forgot the pattern that uses the B string and had to go back to 4 string mode.
What really intrigued my was how different the sound of he E, F, F# and G's compares between the E and B strings. Those notes on the E have more midrange and really cut though the mix. The same notes on the B have a bit less bite and blend into the mix nicely without getting lost. It was fun switching to the E string during the chorus or solo on some songs to get a little more presence and then step back for the refrain by playing on the B string.
Not having to move my hand so much is proving to be a huge help for the songs I dont have memorized. I can concentrate more on reading and les on where my left hand needs to go next. I am now starting to think more in position and scales than in individual notes. This musical theory stuff is actually starting to make sense I was actually able to improvise a small fill on one song that positively surprised our lead guitarist.
Next up: I'll post again in a couple of weeks after getting more practice time in.
I recently swapped a 25th 4HH for a 5HH. This means I have to spend some time getting my head around doin' this 5 string thing. I though I will make this a blog, posting at regular intervals. This means you will read me try some things that help, and maybe others the don't.
Before I start I think it would be best I give everyone a brief Bio of myself so you know my experience level and what I play. I started playing Bass 2 years ago after sitting behind the drum set for a while. I play in a pop/rock cover band. I moved to bass after we lost our bassist and could not find a replacement (I've never looked back since). We cover a wide spectrum from the 60's to modern stuff. If we like a song then we'll play it. We all do this as a hobby and currently have only have one gig a year planned.
When you read this, one thing to bear in mind is that the main reason I decided to switch to a 5 string is so I can practice a song to the original, and then play it in the band without problems when we transpose it down a step or two. About half our songs are transposed at least one tone lower than the original. The ability to easily transpose forms the basis for how I am approaching the transition. This may be a mistake... we will see
I play mostly finger style but use a pick on only one song (German: Dein ist Mein Ganzes Herz) and (attempt) to slap only on Like I Do from Melissa Etheridge.
Another thing to note is that up until 2 years ago my knowledge of harmonics and musical theory was extremely limited. Some things I try might be obvious to the more experienced players but they may be monumental to me.
So, enough said now I'll start.
Day 1 - First impressions, Baby steps:
The 25th 5HH has arrived... I will not go into what an incredible instrument this is... I think you've heard it all before (See the quote in my signature).
The first time playing it I'm surprised that I can do a half way decent job of playing some songs. I though it would be harder. I do notice Its more difficult to get the groove or feeling right. For example the first time playing "Sweet home Alabama" it just did not sound right. My timing on some of the fingering, for example the A-B-D tap in the refrain just did not want to work. The Interlude felt and sounded a little weird. I decided to forget playing songs and I practiced scales for a while.
Now I really don't like practicing scales. I only know 2: Blues and Major (that is enough to get me by for now)I spent some time learning to do scales across 2 octaves
That is something I never did well on my 4 string and it is surprisingly easy on the 5. I also did a lot of chromatic fingering using one finger per fret over 4 frets on every string. I did all these exercises slowly, not only concentrating on getting my fingers accustomed to the fretboard, but also on muting the open un-played strings with both my right and left hand. After about 3 hours of scales and songs I feel pretty comfortable with it. Sweet Home is sounding a bit more normal I'm getting the hang of it.
July 18, 2010 - Learning everything all over again:
I did not have any time to spend with the bass until this morning. I've taken Grand Wazoo's suggestion and I am re-learning my songs, them while keeping my hand pretty much planted at the 5th fret postion. I am fortunate enough to be blessed with long fingers so spaning 4 frets, using the pinky finger on the B string, 8th fret (G) is working well. The one thing the really popped into my head is that the patterns of the chord progression seem to make more sense now
Maybe its because I did not learn to play the 4 string correctly but I have the feeling the B string makes the fret board more logical and fall into place better. I can now cover 2 octaves on the C Major scale from E to E with only having to move my hand slightly on the D and G strings... this is awesome! Songs that previously required a lot of hand movement (Thats because I tried to avoid to playing open strings when possible) can almost all be comfortably played while on the 5th fret. The greatest thing about I like about not having to move my hand as much is I now don't have to concentrate on my fretting as much. I can focus a bit more the sound and muting. Muting is not as big of an issue as I though it would be... I think mainly because I learned to mute correctly on the 4 string using both hands (Left mutes the the higher strings, the right thumb the lower strings). If you play finger style and are thinking about switching to a 5 string do yourself a favor and concentrate on muting the A string with the right thumb when playing the G string. Scales really help learn this.
Also I personally like having the B string to anchor on. I anchored on the pickup on the 4 string and always felt uncomfortable when I shifted my hand forward. Anchoring on the B allows me to move forward and back more comfortably. Also the position my hand naturally moves to is actually about 1cm closer to the neck than the pickup anchored position. I actualy like the sound better there so thats another win/win.
I'll be taking the advice below... and simply play, play play and not switching between a 4 and 5 string. My 4 string fretless beater has been packed away in the basement and the 25th 5HH is all I have to play (until my "new bass fund" has been sufficiently stocked)
July 23, 2010 - First Band practice:
Band practice was moved from Monday to Thursday this week. This gave me a few more days to practice. It went well enough but I still am not at a comfort level for a gig. Did few of the errors mentioned below, I started on the wrong string, got C und F mixed up or completely forgot the pattern that uses the B string and had to go back to 4 string mode.
What really intrigued my was how different the sound of he E, F, F# and G's compares between the E and B strings. Those notes on the E have more midrange and really cut though the mix. The same notes on the B have a bit less bite and blend into the mix nicely without getting lost. It was fun switching to the E string during the chorus or solo on some songs to get a little more presence and then step back for the refrain by playing on the B string.
Not having to move my hand so much is proving to be a huge help for the songs I dont have memorized. I can concentrate more on reading and les on where my left hand needs to go next. I am now starting to think more in position and scales than in individual notes. This musical theory stuff is actually starting to make sense
I was actually able to improvise a small fill on one song that positively surprised our lead guitarist. Next up: I'll post again in a couple of weeks after getting more practice time in.
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