5 String Tabs on a 4 String BEAD Bass?

[Leilacore]

So I just bought my first bass and I’m patiently (not really) waiting for it to arrive. I chose the Schecter Stiletto Stealth 4 Pro EX because I wanted the 35” scale and BEAD string setup. I’m not an ABSOLUTE beginner but I’m a beginner nonetheless..my question is this..how do I adapt bass tabs for a 5 string for my 4 string BEAD bass?

 

[Plucky The Bassist]

As in transposing E-A-D-G tuning tabs to B-E-A-D?

Tabs are a handy tool to quickly learn songs you like, but fundamentally a note is a note. You can play an open note on the A string or 5th fret on E to play the same note. Might be a good exercise in transposing to do it manually.

Other than using Guitar Pro or some other software tool to transpose it for you (and back when I used it, that option was less than optimal), you'll probably have to do it on your own. Not calling your preference for 4's or tuning into question, but a 5-string would keep this sort of thing from becoming a problem. Did you not find any that suited your tastes?

 

[Leilacore]

As in transposing E-A-D-G tuning tabs to B-E-A-D?

Tabs are a handy tool to quickly learn songs you like, but fundamentally a note is a note. You can play an open note on the A string or 5th fret on E to play the same note. Might be a good exercise in transposing to do it manually.

Other than using Guitar Pro or some other software tool to transpose it for you (and back when I used it, that option was less than optimal), you'll probably have to do it on your own. Not calling your preference for 4's or tuning into question, but a 5-string would keep this sort of thing from becoming a problem. Did you not find any that suited your tastes?

Thank you for the info! I agree that it would benefit me way more to transpose on my own. As far as preference..I just like the feel and playability of the narrower neck that a 4 string provides. It’s a comfort thing. I’m not wanting to rely on tabs in the beginning but it would be cool just to get a groove down and jam out and get a feel for the bass when I get it.

 

[SteveCS]

...
my question is this..how do I adapt bass tabs for a 5 string for my 4 string BEAD bass?

The only time you need to think about it is when you run out of strings. In the simple illustration below you can see that measures 4 and 5 contain the same notes. Adapting the TAB is simply a case of adding 5 to the fret number for anything that appears on the 1st string* of the TAB then playing that on your 1st string.

* Strings are counted highest pitch to lowest - on your bass the D string is 1st; on a standard 4- or 5-string bass the G is 1st, and on a 6-string bass in standard tuning the high C is 1st.

 

[Leilacore]

The only time you need to think about it is when you run out of strings. In the simple illustration below you can see that measures 4 and 5 contain the same notes. Adapting the TAB is simply a case of adding 5 to the fret number for anything that appears on the 1st string* of the TAB then playing that on your 1st string.

View attachment 7022452

* Strings are counted highest pitch to lowest - on your bass the D string is 1st; on a standard 4- or 5-string bass the G is 1st, and on a 6-string bass in standard tuning the high C is 1st.

Thank you!!!

 

[Plucky The Bassist]

..As far as preference..I just like the feel and playability of the narrower neck that a 4 string provides. It’s a comfort thing...

Totally get that, I'm predominantly a 4-string player myself for the same reason. Only 5'er I've ever gotten used to was the Ibanez CT5 and that is VERY discontinued

 

[nickpc]

Option 1: Shift the tabs "down" a string (tonally it's up a string). For anything on the G string add 5 frets and play it on the D string
Option 2: Shift the tabs "down" (toward the body) 5 frets. Songs played with open strings now need that note fretted, which can complicate the fingering
Option 3. Combine the two as works for you.

Basically, the E string is still the E string, whether the bass is tuned EADG or BEAD. It's just not the string closest to your face with BEAD. So the tab is still there (mostly), you just have to adjust the fingering for some of the notes. Which I find I do anyway - sometimes a high E as the 2nd fret on the D string sounds/feels better than the 7th fret on A, regardless of what the tab says.

 

[Nuage420]

So I just bought my first bass and I’m patiently (not really) waiting for it to arrive. I chose the Schecter Stiletto Stealth 4 Pro EX because I wanted the 35” scale and BEAD string setup. I’m not an ABSOLUTE beginner but I’m a beginner nonetheless..my question is this..how do I adapt bass tabs for a 5 string for my 4 string BEAD bass?

Are you trying to start hording basses? Because this is how bass hording starts . Great choice for a first bass! Mine was a stiletto 4 with humbuckers and it's still in my possession. Extremely comfortable body and a chunky neck.

As far as transcribing you'll only really be adjusting the G string notes.