Writing for 5 string Bass

[Docdb04]

I'm writing a piece of music for a bass player that has a 5 or 6 string bass (Using PrintMusic 2010).  I'm seeing negative fret numbers on the program. For example, when I enter ledger notes below E natural (4th string), is when I began to see the negative fret numbers.    What do they mean?  I am assuming, unless you do it by hand, that most music programs does not allow you write a tab for 5 or more strings.
 

[jeremyr]

I am assuming, unless you do it by hand, that most music programs does not allow you write a tab for 5 or more strings.
 

yup.  There might be a preset somewhere that will let you change the bass, but honestly it sounds like the program is writing out tabs opposed to sheet music, which imho is a crutch and a bad habbit for the bass player to get into

[phbrown]

have you tried something like note flight?

[Docdb04]

yup.  There might be a preset somewhere that will let you change the bass, but honestly it sounds like the program is writing out tabs opposed to sheet music, which imho is a crutch and a bad habbit for the bass player to get into

It is also writing the notation.  Actually, I input the notation, then convert it into the tab.  I figure, that it is better to have both notation and tab, instead of just tab.  I haven't found a preset as of yet, but I'll continue to search. 

have you tried something like note flight?

 

I have never tried note flight.  I've been using PrintMusic ever since I started.  How is note flight?

[SavnBass]

Noteflight is great. I use it to help me pick out bass parts since I don't read very well.. at the moment. Check it out.