5 String E-C or 6 string B-C

[J_Bass]

Hello Janek,

I would like to ask you why you opted for the 5 string with E-C tuning, instead of a 6 string standard tuning.

Do you feel the low B doesn't add much to chords? Or is it the wider neck an obstacle?

What would you think pros and cons of this options are, assuming one would focus on just one bass to play everything?


Thank you very much.

 

[bassplace]

B did little for me. I did add a drop D tuner though

 

[user3653753]

I think you hit the nail on the head with the one bass thing...

I don't think, even early on when I only had two basses total, I was ever planning on just playing one bass.

The E-C on my main bass has never been an issue, as it suits my style on playing very well. I use the entire range of the instrument, and I can't say that's the case for a bass strung B-G. I think there's a huge tendency to overdo the low B stuff. And I get it, the fatness in the low end sounds and feels great. I just don't think it sits in the mix with a band that well when you over use it.

So my concept is quite simple: I like to be able to groove, which is no problem with a standard 4-string tuning, and I like to be able to play chords and melodies, which is greatly enhanced by the addition of the higher C String.

 

[J_Bass]

I think you hit the nail on the head with the one bass thing...

I don't think, even early on when I only had two basses total, I was ever planning on just playing one bass.

The E-C on my main bass has never been an issue, as it suits my style on playing very well. I use the entire range of the instrument, and I can't say that's the case for a bass strung B-G. I think there's a huge tendency to overdo the low B stuff. And I get it, the fatness in the low end sounds and feels great. I just don't think it sits in the mix with a band that well when you over use it.

So my concept is quite simple: I like to be able to groove, which is no problem with a standard 4-string tuning, and I like to be able to play chords and melodies, which is greatly enhanced by the addition of the higher C String.

Janek,

Thank you so much for the reply.

I will ask you a few more questions, if you don't mind.

I have been listening to your podcast and vlogs and they are great, it's great the way you explain things and it's truly refreshing to hear you approaching subjects so honestly.

Today at lunch I was listening to your podcast with the title bass playing with a pick. Very nice reflection about practice and listening to music and really listening to a whole album. I still buy CDs (lots of them) for that same reason, I like the physical copy, the interaction with the booklet.

I am currently waiting for a 5 string E-C. I also play 4 strings standard tuning. I thought that if I would add another string, it made more sense to me to go with the upper range than the lower one. I honestly never felt the necessity of the low B. I added a detuner just in case.


My question is, what would be a good practice to learn how to use the C string?
How to integrate it in my playing, naturally?

I am a hobbyist, but I love playing. I felt for some time that I was stuck in my evolution, stuck playing the same things and not evolving. You talk a lot about that in your podcast and you make a lot of sense. I need to challenge myself to practice different things.

So I bought 4 of your books last week. All the good stuff, Chordal Harmony, iiVI and Pentatonics.
My plan is to practice maybe one exercise of each book a week. 4 exercises total and practice them all week, really learning them, 12 keys, etc..

Do you think this is too little? I work a full time job and it's difficult to find time, sometimes. My thought was, maybe it's better to slow down and get it right, even if it takes a year.

Because I see your playing and explanations about the Chordal Harmony book, for instance, and I can see that if I practice the book, I will evolve greatly.

Can you give me some advice, regarding this?



Thank you again for replying.

 

[user3653753]

I think it's all about perspective. You have to set the goals, and then put in the work that's going to get you there. I know that might sound like a generic answer, but here are a couple of ways I manage that.

1) I record my practice sessions so I have immediate feedback on my playing, and can identify weaknesses and work on them right away.

2) I'm realistic about the goals. I'm not saying I don't have lofty goals that seem almost impossible to reach, but I am very aware of making the smaller steps that help you reach the goal, be just as important as the end goal.

3) Even if I sent a goal, it rarely stays the same. I'm constantly adjusting where the finish line is, and making sure I never actually reach it, so I'm always working hard.

And maybe the most important thing for me is that I love the work. No matter how crazy or how simple the thing I'm working on is, I simply love what I do, and we might not have a more powerful tool available to us than that.

 

[J_Bass]

Thank you, very well put.

I'll start working on the books the way I planned. If I feel I can do more that what I previously set, then I raise the bar.


Thank you for the advice.