Comments on: Reaching the Low Notes http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html double bass news, stories, downloads, podcasts, and more! Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:37:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Tuning in fifths versus extensions : Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-17464 Tuning in fifths versus extensions : Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:03:46 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-17464 [...] It’s always interesting for me to learn about some of the reasons why players adopt tuning in fifths on the double bass. The following comment just came in on one of my classic (i.e. old) blog posts about reaching the low notes: [...] [...] It’s always interesting for me to learn about some of the reasons why players adopt tuning in fifths on the double bass. The following comment just came in on one of my classic (i.e. old) blog posts about reaching the low notes: [...]

]]> By: Roger http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-17460 Roger Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:11:52 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-17460 I also use the fifths tuning. Joel Quarrington's website persuaded me to try it, and my experience has borne out everything he says (from the other end of the food chain - I'm an amateur orchestral player.) Not only do you get the low notes without the problems of either 5 strings or extensions, but the bass resonates and sounds far better. I also use the fifths tuning. Joel Quarrington’s website persuaded me to try it, and my experience has borne out everything he says (from the other end of the food chain – I’m an amateur orchestral player.)

Not only do you get the low notes without the problems of either 5 strings or extensions, but the bass resonates and sounds far better.

]]> By: Anonymous http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-4687 Anonymous Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:05:53 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-4687 :!: :smile: :shock: :arrow: :lol: :mad: :eek: :!: :smile: :shock: :arrow: :lol: :mad: :eek:

]]> By: Jess http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-3877 Jess Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:45:34 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-3877 I have played with my bass tuned in 5ths for a few years now. I bought a set of 5th tuning strings from Lemur and a lutier friend modified my nut/bridge a little for the C string. It improved the tone of my instrument (50s plywood Kay) substantially. I love getting that low C without the extension or extra string and it really makes the higher notes a lot more accessible. Hardest thing was re-working my left hand. Playing with a 5th tuning involves a lot of small pivots and shifts. I haven't taught a lot of students, but I have found that introducing 5th tuning really depends on the student. I'd say you either start early before the student has locked into 4th tuning patterns, or later on after the student is fairly proficient at the instrument. Anything in-between might complicate things. I would also recommend it for High School and College age students. the C string takes a bit of muscle that younger students might have trouble with. . I have played with my bass tuned in 5ths for a few years now. I bought a set of 5th tuning strings from Lemur and a lutier friend modified my nut/bridge a little for the C string. It improved the tone of my instrument (50s plywood Kay) substantially. I love getting that low C without the extension or extra string and it really makes the higher notes a lot more accessible. Hardest thing was re-working my left hand. Playing with a 5th tuning involves a lot of small pivots and shifts.

I haven’t taught a lot of students, but I have found that introducing 5th tuning really depends on the student. I’d say you either start early before the student has locked into 4th tuning patterns, or later on after the student is fairly proficient at the instrument. Anything in-between might complicate things. I would also recommend it for High School and College age students. the C string takes a bit of muscle that younger students might have trouble with. .

]]> By: Andrew http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-2598 Andrew Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:55:19 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-2598 I have an extension from Kansas City Strings that they have designed and built so it does not require them to drill through the scroll. I can even take the extension off if I wish for a solo string. http://kcstrings.com/bass-extensions.html I have an extension from Kansas City Strings that they have designed and built so it does not require them to drill through the scroll. I can even take the extension off if I wish for a solo string.

http://kcstrings.com/bass-extensions.html

]]> By: Jason Heath http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-287 Jason Heath Mon, 12 Feb 2007 11:47:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-287 Thanks for the comment. That is also definitely a valid way to get to the low notes. I don't have much experience myself with tuning in fifths, but I know that many well-known bassists are either experimenting with it or have completely switched over to it. My only concern would be in teaching it to young students. It may confuse things between lessons and school. I wonder what would be a good age to introduce this tuning to students. Any thoughts? Thanks for the comment. That is also definitely a valid way to get to the low notes. I don’t have much experience myself with tuning in fifths, but I know that many well-known bassists are either experimenting with it or have completely switched over to it. My only concern would be in teaching it to young students. It may confuse things between lessons and school. I wonder what would be a good age to introduce this tuning to students. Any thoughts?

]]> By: Channing http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-282 Channing Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:13:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-282 Another alternative to five strings, and extensions is tuning your bass to fifths. Some bassists are converting to it and you can find sets of strings made for it. It can improve the tone of a cheap bass and probably a nice bass too. I have a crappy cremona student bass and I get compliments on its tone all the time after switching to fifths. Of course, it takes a lot of patience to re-learn everything, but for some people it is worth it. Another alternative to five strings, and extensions is tuning your bass to fifths. Some bassists are converting to it and you can find sets of strings made for it. It can improve the tone of a cheap bass and probably a nice bass too. I have a crappy cremona student bass and I get compliments on its tone all the time after switching to fifths. Of course, it takes a lot of patience to re-learn everything, but for some people it is worth it.

]]> By: Jason Heath http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-154 Jason Heath Sat, 30 Dec 2006 12:09:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-154 I've heard of Bill Merchant and Arnold Schnitzer. It's good to hear about their extensions-I haven't met anyone here in Chicago with one. I also don't really know much about 4 to 5 string conversion. A colleague of mine that does a lot of bass repair and set up work has told me that he has converted basses before himself. Obviously he replaced the bridge, but I am not sure what else he did. It would seem like one would also have to replace the bass bar. I’ve heard of Bill Merchant and Arnold Schnitzer. It’s good to hear about their extensions-I haven’t met anyone here in Chicago with one. I also don’t really know much about 4 to 5 string conversion. A colleague of mine that does a lot of bass repair and set up work has told me that he has converted basses before himself. Obviously he replaced the bridge, but I am not sure what else he did. It would seem like one would also have to replace the bass bar.

]]> By: Adrian Cho http://doublebassblog.org/2006/07/reaching-low-notes.html/comment-page-1#comment-150 Adrian Cho Sat, 30 Dec 2006 05:07:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=460#comment-150 Jason, I'm no luthier but I believe properly converting to a five string also means internal changes including moving the bass bar and the sound post as a result of using a wider bridge. Many people believe that a low B string of the same string length as the other strings is simply not long enough to sound and respond well for the pitches it is responsible for.<br /><br />I myself am a fan of extensions. You are very lucky to have one of Chris' extensions. His work is beautiful. I had Bill Merchant make the extension on a previous bass and my current bass has one made by Arnold Schnitzer. Both are also very, very fine examples of extensions. Not as fancy as Chris' work but functionally and structurally very good. Jason, I’m no luthier but I believe properly converting to a five string also means internal changes including moving the bass bar and the sound post as a result of using a wider bridge. Many people believe that a low B string of the same string length as the other strings is simply not long enough to sound and respond well for the pitches it is responsible for.

I myself am a fan of extensions. You are very lucky to have one of Chris’ extensions. His work is beautiful. I had Bill Merchant make the extension on a previous bass and my current bass has one made by Arnold Schnitzer. Both are also very, very fine examples of extensions. Not as fancy as Chris’ work but functionally and structurally very good.

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