Is it possible to learn a 5 string bass guitar with no experience?

Question

im going to get a bass soon and im gonna learn how to play it..but i was wondering if i could just start at a 5 string instead of a 4

i play a 6 string acoustic guitar...do i have experience then?

Answer 1

you have to rid your mind that a guitar and a bass guitar are the same. The only thing they have in common is that they are similarly shaped. The low 4 strings on a bass are tuned the same as a guitar, albeit 1 octave lower, but apart from that technique and thought are totally different. However many strings you are working with, get the 6 string guitar out of your head and start anew

Answer 2

Hey Rachel

Buy the 5-string and start playing. If you know guitar already, then you do have the proper fingering. The only thing that you will have to polish up on is the right hand.

You have to alternate pick with the first two fingers of the right hand. If you decide to learn slappin, that will not hamper you technique which is why I disagree to using a pick on  a bass.

Go on youTube for tutorials. Theis is enough material there and don't let anybody alter that dream. You sound serious and willing and that is what counts.

The main thing to playing the bass, is to have rhythm and always keep the drummer in mind because, eventually, all bass player team up with a drummer.

Answer 3

it doesnt make a difference starting 5 string or a 4 string, its just one more string to do notes on.  Its liek hwo a 7 string guitar just gives you more chords to play without downtuning.  No you have no experience playing bass.  Bass is a completely different instrument than the guitar, just like a cello player has no experience playign string bass.  You might be able to play the guitar on a bass, but you won't be able to play bass.  Although quite frankly, playing guitar on the bass is all most people need, so long as you dont call yourself a bass player.  Real bass players will make fun of you and not like you.

Answer 4

If its something you want to learn.... by all means.. go for it.  

  The strings on a 4 string bass are the same as the top 4 strings on a standard guitar, tuned one octave lower.  On a 5 string bass, you have 2 options on what the 5th string can be.

  First, you can go with what most players choose, a "Low B String."  If choosing that, it will give the bass a lower range than a traditional 4 string bass, and what would be your top string on a 4 now becomes the second string from the top on the 5 string.  Another option... go with a "High C String. "  A lot of traditional jazz players choose this route.  (The low b and high c are the 2 added strings on a 6 string bass)

  I would also recommend a 35" inch scale bass rather than a 34" if you do go to 5 string.  Even if you dont go with the low b string.... down the road if you do, it will give you a lot better sound on the bottom end with the longer scale.

   I always recommend to new players to start out learning blues music.  Take a listen to Stevie Ray Vaughn's Texas Flood, and thats the perfect tempo for a new player to learn.

  Its not to fast, so you can hear how the bass and drums interact with each other, you can hear everything going on in the music, and also  there is great fundamental bass skills as well as some very good runs around the blues scales.  Any blues or even rock music in the 60 beats per minute to about 75 B.P.M. is a good starting point.

    While you might be leaning towards wanting to play faster music, at least give this a try.  Sure is easier trying to figure the basics out with music like ive mentioned rather than jumping into some speed metal or thrash... at 2-3 times the tempo and not knowing or being able to hear what YOU are playing.

   Good luck.... and ROCK ON!