4 String or 5 String Bass | Which Should You PRACTICE With?

Рет қаралды 7,596

3 ай бұрын

Does it really matter which bass you practice with? In today's video I use a 4 string and a 5 string bass to highlight some of the major differences between practicing with each instrument.
I always try and challenge myself to practice outside my comfort zone in a quest for exposing weaknesses in my playing, and am always looking to build that trouble-shooting muscle whenever possible.
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Пікірлер: 53

@Scomelbasses

I say just practice, doesn’t really matter on what instrument. I only own 5 strings, haven’t owned a 4 string since 1990.

@WCruttenden

I usually bounce between a four string P with flats, and a six string with fanned frets. Very different from each other but good for me to play and learn on both.

@OlettaLiano

For the past twenty years I've been playing an ESP Six-String tuned E A D G C F. I wouldn't want to play anything else.

@patrickr.5821

That double reverse P bass is probably the best bass sound I have ever heard.

@maxthub

I played 5 and 6 strings for 10 years. For the last 5 years I’ve played short scale 4 string almost exclusively. Recently I pulled out an old 5 string with a high C tuned down a whole step and I’m loving the way it makes me think differently about the instrument.

@joaniepeters2565

I think you should practice with the instrument your going to be performing with, you need the feeling of the muscle memory for any type of improv and also for written parts for that matter, it will make the “gig” easier

@nabsdmusik

Thanks Janek, I actually don't owe a 4 strings bass I have a 5 fretless and a 6 strings basses.

@DVDFRMN

ONE BASS to Rule them all... My 5-String Ibanez SR1205, I was worried i would not adapt easily to the 16mm string spacing after being in 18mm world for years. i Love it and now a regular 18mm bass seems like a huge chasm between the strings...

@TwoBadBassist

I tend to practice all of my technique drills (scales, arpeggios, thirds, finger dexterity/speed) on my Yamaha JP2 (6 string). Then when I go to play my 4 or 5 string basses, they feel easier/simpler.

@fuzzylogickben

I used to do the opposite of restricted practicing... "unrestricted writing" maybe? I'd play a shorter scale bass so all the notes were closer to hand and improvise parts for songs I was writing. I'd come up with phrases that were unlikely to come from my usual basses. Then I'd recreate the parts that I liked on my "real instrument"

@Redtenbachersfunkestra

Janek! Keep up your brilliant work! Just awesome! Nobody can beat you at your game...you are the GOAT in that!

@dr_b_bass

Repertoire I always always practise with my 6 string ibanez BTB(im a 6 string player for 20 years now, aka its what i use for gigs and work), however for reading I generally start on 4 string as most written bass I come across (I'm relearning to sight read properly again after 20 years of exclusively playing by ear or jazz charts)

@edburdo

I have 5 string (Sire M7) and a Kala UBass. Switching between those is dramatic... but really does make you think about your practice in a more tightly focused manner.

@mikeoneill7671

GREAT VIDEO! I find picking up a Bass I haven’t played for a while can inspire me to practise more and somewhat differently as well.

@justinmills556

I have a series 1 TRB 6 string that when I played or practiced on would force me to clean my technique up because of its huge neck. Then my gig would feel easier and more comfortable after the good stretch and extra thought I would have to put in to get the notes clean and clear.

@RDog4484

I mainly practice on a 6 string, since that's the main instrument I play. However, I do have a 5 and a 4 string that I will practice and play on to get outside of my comfort zone.

@andrewpinner3181

Thanks Janek for giving your precious time to make these videos which give inspiration & motivation !

@Dimitrivsky

Thank you for the insights, Janek! I have been switching between 4 and 5 string basses, but spent most of the last 3 years on a 5 string. Now that I only have a 4 string, it seems a bit odd to me as I need to 'remember' that my E string is no longer a B 🙄