String Bass Lessons

Sometimes a specific bass line or groove really calls out for the deep low end you can only get from the low B of a 5 string bass. But what do you do if you only have a 4 string?... buy a 5 string?! What happens if you prefer the feel of a 4 string bass but you know that some of your bass lines could really do with that deep low end?

Well in the past I've found myself in that very same situation - even to the point where more than once I've been playing in a theatre band and the music has been written for a 5 string bass with lots of low C's and D's etc but I've been playing my trusty 4 string Overwater jazz bass. So what's the trick?!

Well this is how I do it...

I use an EBS OctaBass with all of the original ('normal') signal rolled off, the 'Octave' up full and the range switch set to 'low'. This setting will basically make your bass sound an octave lower than the original signal. This means that when you play the B on the 7th fret of the E string it will actually sound like the low B of a 5 string bass! BOOM - instant 5 string! The only thing to watch out for is that anything below that B tends to start sounding a bit weird - but on a 5 string bass you wouldn't have anything below that anyway.

So here it is in action...

This video was recorded in rehearsals for Umbria Jazz Festival with East Park Reggae Collective. In the chorus section of this song I really needed the deep low C of a 5 string bass so I used the exact same settings as described above and I think you'll agree... if you listen to it through decent speakers or headphones the bass sounds MASSIVE!

If you like this make sure you hit the 'share' button! :)

As always, see you in the shed...

Scott :)

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