Question...is this bass part written for 5 string? How could I play it on a 4?

[Diesel Kilgore]

Trying to learn Silent Night for a Christmas song in notation. But it appears that it's written for a 5 string. The first 4 bars and most of the main parts start in B.

Not having much experience with a 5 or learning the bottom of the ledger for one. It seems to be written for a 5.

It's about the best free sheet for the song I've found online.

Could I move it up and start it on the 7th fret or 2nd fret on the A and learn it that way?

I'm trying to re-learn proper notation and reading so I'm sorry for a possibly simple or silly question. Just trying to learn. Thanks for any help.

 

[biguglyman]

Probably written for piano. It's actually in b-flat so you'd have to tune down even a five string to play it.

 

[skwee]

Just displace/play those low notes in an octave you have available on your instrument. All will be well.

 

[Diesel Kilgore]

Thanks for the fast response guys!

I was just trying to check if I was on the right track and I believe I am.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

Bass is a transposing instrument. The notes we play are actually one octave lower than written. So for piano, the pitches indicated by those low B flats are actually in the same register as those at the first fret of our A strings.

 

[SLO Surfer]

What others said, this looks to be written for piano so it should be played up an octave on your bass.

 

[Tbsx]

Here's how I'd play it:
Drop the B string down to Bb
1st measure:
Bb: open B
F: 7th fret B string
D: 5th fret A string
Bb : 9th fret D string

The reasons I bought a 5 string was for better positioning and to be able to play the same notes as a piano.

 

[dreamadream99]

Not sure that tango bass line is your best choice. I’d stick to roots, with a little motion before a chord change.

 

[Tbsx]

Here's one you can play on a 4 string:
Silent Night

First Bb is the 6th fret of the E string.

 

[Paulabass]

Did I miss something here? Play notes a octave up! This is the problem with reading- you forget common sense. Yes, I read...once...then I play it without music in front of me.

 

[Tbsx]

Did I miss something here? Play notes a octave up! This is the problem with reading- you forget common sense. Yes, I read...once...then I play it without music in front of me.

Yes. Going up one octave was already mentioned.
We're simply providing alternatives such as playing the music as written.
The op (or anyone else) has the option to choose what they want.

 

[Need Gigs]

 

[craigie]

Not sure that tango bass line is your best choice. I’d stick to roots, with a little motion before a chord change.

I agree that might sound ok on piano but would probably sound terrible on bass. Just use your ear and head for the roots (and play long notes). I think it’s a rhumba-waltz. I’m not familiar with any tango-waltzes.

 

[obimark]

Piano music bass lines usually sound like CRAP on electric bass. I'd transpose where needed- I find VERY few pieces that really need a low C or B for instance...