5 string novice

[kingbee]

Hey brothers and sisters,

Well, after years of reliable service my old Fender Precision had to go into the shop for some hardcore truss rod problems. I'd been hoping to get it back in time for worship this Sunday but on Friday the parts to repair it hadn't come in. I had used my backup bass (an Epiphone Viola) for rehearsal but it just didn't "feel" right for the style our worship leader is going for -- Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton, etc. I was resigned to making the best of it by my wife very generously encouraged me to go out and buy a replacement so I wouldn't find myself stuck without a means of confidently expressing my best for the Lord.

I'd been tempted to make the jump to five strings (and active electronics) so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity. I got a great deal on a beautiful mahogany Ibanez SR505 and after playing it for a couple of services this morning, I know I made the right decision. It sounds brilliant and boomy, is easy to play and looks spectacular.

Since I wasn't used to playing five-string, I played through some of the changes last night and, casting my anxieties upon the Lord, brought it to worship this morning and decided to go with it. Overall, it went okay; my old four string instincts got me into trouble on more than a few occassions. I'd sometimes wind up playing a fourth below everyone else, and when I was able to get on the right string my hand position and technique would still sometimes just set that B-string ringing. The other musicians and worship pastor could definitely tell I was struggling a bit but they were very encouraging.

I know that I'll get better with practice but I wanted to check with you folks to see if you had any tips or exercises that might make it easier for me to make the transition. Any thoughts or comments would definitely be welcome.

God bless.

[Pfinesse]

kingBee

The five string is the same as the four string when you start from the fifth fret, you just shift up a string.  The "B" string strarting on the 5th fret resembles the "E" string starting on the open at that point and the note follow in the same order.  Also get a hair scrunchie (I thinks that's what its called?)  and place it over your strings at the nut or a little bit in toward the bridge, this will help with the "B" string ringing.  It tends to do that if your muting technique is not there yet.  You may also have a concern with your speakersz being able to reproduce the low "B" sound clearly.  The low "B" is in the area of 30 hertz and can cause your low notes from the 5th fret down to the open "B" to sound somewhat muffled and flappy, if you are playing with spealers that are not designed for that range.  Carvin has speakers that are designed for the low "B" range if you have this problem.

I find that the five string is invaluable to me in playing todays gospel music, I like the ability to play mid fretboard and the ability to hit a really deep low "B" that moves the congregation.  I play with a Peavey Cirrus that's active.  my rig is the Carvin BRX-410, 1200 watts (you need the head room) it allows for clear notes at the low end.  Ibanez is an awesome brand as well, you should be very happy once to get acustomed to your 5 string, you may not go back :-).

Expressing God's Low End,

Pfinesse