I’m actually glad that I found this video. My grandpa came to visit us and he randomly brought me a 6 string bass so I was just like ‘ok, guess I’ll learn it’. And this actually helps me understand the bass a bit better
I love your explanation of not needing to learn 4-string in order to learn 6-string. Just learn the instrument. I watched your other video where you play Anthony Jackson and you showed some great technique to keep my lower strings quiet when playing higher strings.
Great tutorial and history. I am a new player and I am starting on a 6 string bass. I was advised to start on a 4 string bass. However, I wanted the additional range when composing music. I am originally a singer, then flautist and keyboardist.
I love the sound of bass, and six string bass especially. I play guitar, but I've always admired the bass, and I say hats off to anyone who plays it well, but hats off to anyone who chooses bass as their instrument. It's still growing and there is a lot of creativity in the bass world. It is much more than a rhythm instrument, and has huge possibilities as a solo instrument. What is happening with the bass is more interesting than what's happening with the guitar, which has pretty much stagnated. I believe in the future that bass will lead guitar to a better place.
People that dont like 6 strings are not adventurous or original musicians. I just started really playing bass and I went with a ODT 6 string FIRST! I love experimenting with sound and having a full range is so amazing. I play guitar all the way up to 12s and played since I was six, been playing drums and studying percussion since I was 4 and having more to play with is WAY worth it!
Thanks very much! This is one of the best video's on why play the six string bass. For some time now I've understood it's perfectly logical for even a beginner bass play to learn bass on a whatever bass 4,5 or 6 string, that the student has on hand or even wants to buy. But this view while still not in majority, is more prevalent. Again thanks and remember: Master Bass Player Anthony Jackson on Playing the Six String CONTRABASS Guitar said: ”My feeling is; Why is the standard four and not six? As the lowest pitched instruments of the guitar family, the bass should have had six strings from the beginning. The only reason it had four [strings] was because Leo Fender was thinking in application terms of an Upright Bass.”
Thanks very much! Yeah, I think more bass players are learning on 6-string basses these days. You can get good 6-string basses at entry level prices now. So, there's nothing to stop people learning with 6 strings. When I started learning bass 25 years ago, getting a good 6-string bass was quite a big investment, but that's not really the case any more.
Excellent, I hope you love your new bass! Let me know if you'd like to try a free 30 minute bass lesson on Zoom with me. I'll help you get started with it. 👍🎶
I just uptuned my P 5 to a high C. Now, it's a new guitar with amazing range and a whole new set of skills emerging... but, I miss the B. Try a six, you say... Good vid, I'm in. belled
I started out on a 4 string. Moved up to a 5 and I'm waiting for my 6 string to be delivered. I will keep all 3 because I love playing them all and I just can't get rid of them. I'm excited to start playing a 6. Rock on 🤘 🤘
I have a 5 string bass and I love the low b because you don't have to move around the neck as much, but lately I'm thinking of switching to a high c setup. The reason is that I am a guitarist, and I often play bass with a lot of phrases that are inspired by shell voicings and inversions. When you do that, sometimes the g string isn't enough to play stuff like a maj9 or minor 9 arp with the A string as the root, or something like a minor 11 or maj13 that spans 5 strings on a guitar. You can just play those chords in one place on the fretboard with a guitar, but on the bass you have to compensate by moving up the neck to get those extensions, or switch to the b to play them, which also results in kind of a janky feel. Those methods just seem counterintuitive to me and requires a lot of movement up and down the neck that I could just omit if I had a high c string. Idk, I know I could probably just get used to it, but as a guitarist who plays bass for the sake of recording my own music, it just seems like a lot of effort and time for something I could bypass with a 6 string or a high c setup on a 5.
Hi, yeah, having a high C-string really increases your options with chord voicings. Especially when you're playing extensions. One extra string makes a massive difference. 👍🎶
I'm a percussionist and have loved Bass since I was a kid, I don't know how to play Bass, but I'm going to use my brother in laws 6 string Bass and start practicing and find my way around it. A friend told me to start with a 4 string, but I want to start with the 6 string because I guess I'm hard headed hahaha....wish me luck!!!!
This video really helped me consider my approach with my six. My biggest challenge is properly muting strings, especially when shifting say from.. B to A with the E in the middle.
Just a tip (take with a grain of salt , as with all tone its your personal preference) In terms of the Steve Bailey signature 6 string Warwick bass, try this take out the Seymour Duncan preamp and put in an Aguilar OBP-2 (or 3) BIG IMPROVEMENT , brings out the bland, neutral sounding Duncan pickups better than stock ( lots of Bassists doing that ) Also those other Warwicks you have there, try taking out those mass produced MEC pickups and try "proper" GERMAN pickups from DELANO or Haeussel (yes custom DOES make a BIG difference) for a player of your skill level and experience I think you deserve better, a lot of "grey area " with MECs from what I have found...
I'm learning to play bass guitar and I got a brand new 6 string bass guitar brand lehnon and I like it because first of all looks way tougher than a five or four and I just love it I don't use my other bass guitars no more😁😁😁
i play guitar. 4, 5, and 6 string basses. i have to adapt to every instrument in an instant. that is not very hard if you use your time to PRACTICE cheers from germany.
Great video, thank you. Just found your channel through it. Got an amazing deal on an LTD 6 string with a satin finish and spalted maple top today. Sounds amazing, plays amazing. Can't wait to dive in further. Thanks for the history, perspective, and tips!
Awesome! Thanks. I hope you love your new 6-string bass. Would you like to try a free 30-minute bass lesson with me on Zoom? I can help get you started with the 6! 👍🎶
For a second, I was going to say it's a little ironic to be holding a Warwick bass and saying that you should get a 6-string with approximately the same spacing as a 4-string, because Warwick is known for their relatively narrow string spacing on 5-string and 6-string basses, but then I realised it's a Steve Bailey model, which is built on Warwick's Streamer LX Broad Neck platform. I love the Streamer LX, but I found I couldn't get on with the narrow spacing of the regular Streamer LX5. If I get one, it would definitely have to be a Broad Neck.
I've been playing six-string bass since 2012 and I love it, but I don't use standard tuning. I tune mine from low E to high F because I do a lot of two-hand tapping and need to higher range.
Great video!, even though I haven't had a six string out of the case for a while. I've been playing for 47 years and I am still eager to learn and hear others peoples ideas. I usually can stand about 15 seconds of most bass instructional type videos, but I enjoyed yours all the way through, and agree with you completely on the importance of good left hand technique. I would like to know what kind of bonehead hacks could have possibly gave you a thumbs down. Bookmarked your website, and agree with you on your 5 tips for better practice too. Of course, being as anal as I am, I'll have to watch all of your videos in order now. I read your little sidebar about Dylan; I took lessons from Dave Van Ronk for three and a half years in the early 1990's, he was a great teacher and friend, I like to say I was his favorite student. I f you don't know of him, you should check him out, Dylan lived with him in the early 1960's when he first came to New York USA. I have a brother who is 7 years older, and because of him, I've been listening to Dylan my entire life too, and Jack Bruce since I was 5 years old (1969). Keep teaching and passing it on. Thanks, Rich
Hi Rich. Thanks so much for your kind words and for taking the time to comment. I certainly know who Dave Van Ronk is. I've read Chronicles Volume One and watched the Scorsese documentary. Didn't he write "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" from Dylan's first album? I've recorded a few Dylan songs recently, just as a fun lockdown project. You can find them in this playlist ru-vid.com/group/PLx1KgWy7_XsywfLAxW50lf4sQoQ9yWkpP. I really appreciate you taking an interest in my videos, but I definitely wouldn't recommend watching all of them 🤣! One of these days I need to go through and delete the videos that aren't up to standard. 👍🎶
Thanks for the meaningful content. That Warwick Steve Bailey 6-string instrument you have is one of the best. Watching you on the fretboard reminds me of Steve Bailey (on his fretless) and Alain Caron. I started on 4-string 3-yrs ago, but for some reason the 6-string really appeals to me, perhaps because I've played the organ/keyboard for decades so my ears are accustomed to melody. Again, thanks. Be well.
Thanks very much! You're very kind! Both Steve Bailey and Alain Caron are wonderful musicians. Yeah, I see what you're saying, if you've already been playing chordal harmony on a keyboard for years, then 6 string bass definitely sounds like a logical choice for you.
Johnny Cox Music , thanks for your response. I’ve been learning bass via Hal Leonard Books accompanied by a couple of other bass song books for practical music (I.e., songs that people know). Is there a particular book or book series you could recommend for learning the 6-string bass? Be well.
@@powerforward1955 Unfortunately, there aren't many books available specifically for 6-string bass. And I can understand why. I would love to write a book for 6 string bass, but the economics just don't work out. It's hard enough to make money from any bass book. And if you make your book specifically for 6 string bass then you immediately cut off the majority of your target audience. Because most bass players don't play 6. I hope that one day I will release a book specifically for 6 string, but it won't be for a while. In the mean time my advice is to learn the notes on the first and sixth strings and then adapt all the exercises that you've seen for 4 string onto 6 strings. Hope that helps.
Johnny Cox Music Abundant thanks...I agree regarding the economics. Accordingly, perhaps I should consider a 5-string as there many more tutorials, etc. available. Your technical knowledge and competence on the 6-string is awesome. Keep the music flowing...Be well.
honestly, i had a 6-string and some 4 strings basses and i often run out of strings on 4 and wish i had a 5th, never ran out of strings on the 5s. the 6 necks are too fat. I wanted to learn the 6 and i found that i either get a 5 string with one string in the way or have to tune so stupid-low (F#0) that the range doesn't get along with amps. I just feel like 5 is enough for me, and never feel like i'm missing anything. Hell i got a 5 up-tuned to drop C for extended high range for whittling and its great. to each their own but i spent a year hating my 6-string until i modded it into a 5.
Nice presentation, straight forward and clear! Still something missing: i feel that the difference between base VI ( e to e tuning) and 6 string ( b to b tuning) is really worth mentioning , since the Bass VI is more played like a guitar and holds its own place ..
Im looking at buying a 6 string in the near future. Im sort of unsure about it, because I dont feel like with my current skill I'll make much use of the C string, but I really wanna give it a shot and see what I can make of it.
If you do decide to get a 6-string, let me know and we can do a free 30 minute lesson on Zoom. I'll give you some exercises to get you started using the C string. 👍🎶
I’m a bassist too but I’ve been considering the 5 string this due to a lot of pop and modern metal and heavy metal utilizes that fat B-string. 99.9 percent of music I don’t see music that uses that high C string. But I’m not hating because it’s useful. I personally tried the 4 and the 6 string the 4-string is too thin for my hands. And the 6 is too wide. I always though the 5-string was the best for me. But again it’s your decision which bass you want
6 string bass is surely superior compared to 4 string. You have same 4 strings EADG on the 6 string one anyway. Also, with 6 string bass, you can play as "Second guitarist" job;
Respected teacher, I need some guidance with my bass guitar studies. I live in the far northeast part of India, and unfortunately, I don't have access to high-quality teachers who could guide me properly. I've been playing a six-string bass for 10 years now and can currently play at the level of Grade 8. However, for the past three years, I've been trying to master everything on my own, and it's been overwhelming. The range of scales, modes, and arpeggios to learn is vast, and I feel lost trying to cover it all. My goal is to become a jazz fusion bassist, but with the expansive range of my instrument, I'm struggling to focus on what's most essential. I want to improve and make meaningful progress, but I need help narrowing down the key modes, scales, and arpeggios that I should master, especially considering the full range of the instrument. I apologize for asking for your valuable experience for free, but any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time and guidance!
Loving the tone you're getting on that bass, I came across your video looking for some advice on left hand technique. I've been exploring the 6 string for 5 years now and I love using wide chord phrasing but now I have to put the bass down for a couple weeks because the base of my left thumb is hurting due to what I think is my technique. On wide/stretchy chords, where would you place your thumb so you can keep playing for a couple hours without messing your hand up? I think I overstretched a tendon with how I went at it. Would love if you could get back to me, in the meantime I'll explore your blog a little, great stuff!
That style of finger playing with thumb, like on classic guitar - is it playable in band ? in any music other than playing for other bassists ? It takes out all playing rythmic energy of bass, no corresponding to drums, just only playing itself.
you say you dont need to learn 4 string bass first but how do you learn the 6 string without knowing the 4 string? i mean, there arent that many songs played with a 6 string bass you can learn with so you would just end up using the middle 4 strings. thats just what i think though, i would really want to learn the 6 string
How do you wear your 6 string? When you are sitting, do you balance it across your eight leg, or your leeft? Do you see an advantage to either? How do you position it when you're playing in a standing posit? Thank you!
Hi Roy, I think those are really important questions. I feel that it's better ergonomically to balance the bass on the left leg with the neck raised. I think balancing the bass on the right leg can cause problems with posture and wrist position. Standing, I want the bass to feel like it's in the same position as when I'm seated, with the neck raised. Neck dive is a common problem with 6-string basses. 👍🎶
Im a beginner guitarist and I've been looking more towards getting a bass (six string bass to be specific) I have no clue where I could get lessons for such a rare Instrument! Do you have any places you know of where I could learn?
@@trey7270 Hi. There are 6-string basses that are made to be tuned like guitars but an octave lower. Check out this article www.fender.com/articles/tech-talk/the-bass-vi-baritone-guitar-or-bass. But those instruments are tonally more like guitars than basses. They usually have a shorter scale length than conventional 6-string basses tuned B-E-A-D-G-C. Let me know if you'd like to try a lesson with me on Zoom. I can do the first 30 minute lesson for free.
Hi Oscar. It doesn't come with a CD but you can download all the audio here www.fundamental-changes.com/download-audio-form-bass/ Just put in your name and email address and select my book from the drop down list.
Hi Michelle. Yes, the middle four strings on the 6-string bass are usually tuned the same way as a 4-string bass in standard tuning. So, if you know how to play on a 4-string bass, you can play all the same things on those middle strings. The 6-string bass gives you extra range on both the low and the high end.
Thanks for this Great & helpful video. I’ve just bought a used Carvin LB-76. I’m happy to play it as is, but I’m curious if I can restring & retune it to get typicsl 4-string bass range plus two high strings, rather than one low & one high. I’m interested in approximating the range & sound that Peter Hook & Kristian Dunn (respectively of Early New Order & El Ten Eleven) coax out of that lovely but impossibly rare Shergold Marathon Six, which seems to straddle the range of a 6-string bass & a baritone guitar.... Centrally, I want to maximize space to noodle around with melodies in higher registers, but I’m new to bass & am not sure if that re-orientation of strings would be physically possible. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Hi Matthew. You can try it. The bass will need a setup if you change the string gauges because it will change the tension on the neck. You'll need to adjust the truss rod, string heights and intonation and then just see how well the bass plays. Let me know if it works.
Johnny Cox Music : thanks so much, Johnny.. That’s all very helpful to know. I’ll probably just get my bearings on the Carvin as it’s currently strung, then experiment at a later date. I look forward to checking out more of your videos, & I appreciate your taking time to write back with those suggestions. Best wishes, Matt
Any advice on sitting down with a neck heavy 6 string bass? Perhaps a strap? Or a heel!? i found it confy playing like that, are there any even to buy? xD Im feeling slite pain after a while, im a guitarist mainly.
Hi, thanks for the question. I think balance is so important on a bass, and it's hard to find a 6-string bass that is perfectly balanced. When I'm sitting with a bass, I prefer to sit with it on my left leg. I learned to play with my bass balanced on my right leg, but I've discovered that it balances better on my left leg. It's also slightly better ergonomically for my right and left hand positioning. But honestly you should try anything to get your bass to balance better. What works will depend on the specific instrument. In the past I've tried putting weights on my strap and moving the strap buttons to get my basses to balance better.
Guys help me out. Passive or active? And why? I'm a new in bass community, been playing for about 2 years and about to buy my own bass. I need your advices
Hi Eusebio. Most 6-string basses are active. Having an active bass means that you have an onboard preamp and you can adjust the EQ from the bass. That's useful when you're playing through a DI box. But it's unnecessary if you're playing through a good amplifier because you can set the EQ on the amp. I like basses that can switch between active and passive. But I honestly don't think it's important whether you play an active or passive bass. I have several basses, some of them are active and some are passive. More often than not, I play my active basses with the active circuitry switched off.
@@bassicallyandre It's because all the intervals between the open strings are 4ths on bass. Guitars in standard tuning have an interval of a 3rd between the G and B strings. I guess it's advantageous for playing some chord shapes if you have the 1st and 6th string tuned to the same note. However, I do know a couple of really good guitar players that tune their guitars in 4ths, E-A-D-G-C-F.
All my 6-string basses are made by Warwick, and they're great basses. But it depends on how much you want to spend. There are a lot of good basses around now at different price points.
Hi. I don't think it's that important. Most 6-string basses do have 24 frets to maximise the range of the instrument. But I'd rather have a good instrument with 20 frets than a bad one with 24.
its really not hard, its an easiertuning than guitar, and just heavier, which only wimps complain about (im not a big tough guy, im pretty lazy,6 string bass is not too heavy guys ..) there should be no concern playing a 6 string bass if you arent someone who reads tab
The idea that one should learn to play a 4-string bass first, before ever picking up a bass with more strings, is really just an artifact of shame. There's this fallacious idea that you shouldn't play a bass with more strings than 4 unless you are a highly technically accomplished player, and that people who do play basses with more than 4-strings who aren't highly technically proficient are worthy of ridicule. As Johnny rightly notes, taken to its logical conclusion, no one should start to play a piano with 88 keys, and no one should play a guitar with 6 strings as a beginner. Really, the only thing that makes basses with more than 4 strings slightly more difficult is the fact that it has more strings, and they are often more closely spaced than the strings on instruments with fewer strings, and that requires some attention paid to detail. I personally started on a 5-string bass, because I felt the neck width of 4-string basses was too narrow and uncomfortable. Don't pick up a 6-string bass and feel like you have to play it the way anyone else does. Pick up a 6-string bass if it appeals to you, and ignore the taunts from the peanut gallery. Play it how you like. Even if you rarely venture onto the outside strings, you'll find they are nice to have when those rare occasions arise.
