Introduction to Bending Strings – Lesson 43

[SynGates.com]

In this lesson we introduce you to basic string bending & vibrato.

 

[Christian Schulze]

Just like Zakk Wylde says...he knows whether Vai or Zappa is bending.....Another great bender...Gilmour....man

 

[Sayonil Mitra]

NOICE!!!!!

 

[Mariler]

My new struggle. I’m gonna be working on it for a while let’s see if I can find my own feel on guitar

 

[Mariler]

Keep on struggling to improve my bends

Parisienne walkways-Gary Moore

 

[Ben newton]

Keep on struggling to improve my bends

Parisienne walkways-Gary Moore

I think bends, vibrato and other embellishments can sometimes rely on your ear to make sure you are in tune. Your bends are sounding cool. Maybe the best form of practice is to revisit the song on a few occasions?

Putting the song aside, as practice, have you tried playing the note you want to bend to, and then approaching it from 2-3 frets below with a bend? You can really hear and feel on a much detailed scale whether you are under bending or over bending. Break the solo down a few times, and practice bits in segments and then join them up after. You could also try playing some scales, and practice bending through the scale. This would be great practice to playing bends and other embellishments across all strings and all areas of the fretboard.

Make sure you are happy with your left hand position too. You might feel more confident with your thumb locked in over the top more!

 

[Mariler]

Thanks for your comment. Really useful tips!

 

[idssdi]

Those are some great suggestions listed in Syn's tips. Also shreddy mcshreddington

 

[Mariler]

keep on working on my bends and vibrato. Wanted to share this video to show how I practice. I created this backing track for some context, otherwise the exercises are too boring. It's actually an improv trying to find some notes that make sense together.
Any comments for help are welcome.

 

[Jak Angelescu]

What you're doing in this video is exactly what you need to do to get better with bends! The only thing I would suggest from here on out is to practice doing scales and then on one note, bend up to the following note in the scale. For example:
You play a C major scale. You play C-D-E-F-G when you land on G, try to bend UP to the PITCH of A. Find an A note on your neck and match that pitch

 

[Jak Angelescu]

Also Meriler, you're doing really great and I'm super proud of you! You've made big progress!

 

[Mariler]

Also Meriler, you're doing really great and I'm super proud of you! You've made big progress!

Thank you! the feedback I get here when I post a video or ask a question is helping a lot

 

[Aaron Shepanik]

****Possible gear related question about bending****
I'm learning a song that has a whole step bend on the high string tuned down half step from e-flat to G (i.e. whole step bend starting on the 12 fret). It's a very tasty bend-release-bend. I usually practice not plugged in so distortion/effects/etc. doesn't hide my mistakes. I finally started getting the hang of this passage so yesterday I tried plugging in to hear it with delay and distortion and IT SOUNDS AWFUL. Not the pitch but the tone gets screechy and changes timbre and it just plain sounds not good, like it's not supposed to do that.

Any thoughts on this? Do I need different strings? Change some action settings? Is it just sh***y technique?

I'm on a PRS Tremonti SE with .10-.46 strings.

 

[Jesse Salmons]

****Possible gear related question about bending****
I'm learning a song that has a whole step bend on the high string tuned down half step from e-flat to G (i.e. whole step bend starting on the 12 fret). It's a very tasty bend-release-bend. I usually practice not plugged in so distortion/effects/etc. doesn't hide my mistakes. I finally started getting the hang of this passage so yesterday I tried plugging in to hear it with delay and distortion and IT SOUNDS AWFUL. Not the pitch but the tone gets screechy and changes timbre and it just plain sounds not good, like it's not supposed to do that.

Any thoughts on this? Do I need different strings? Change some action settings? Is it just sh***y technique?

I'm on a PRS Tremonti SE with .10-.46 strings.

Can you post a video? Maybe strings are worn out

 

[Aaron Shepanik]

Can you post a video? Maybe strings are worn out

Sure can---too late tonight but will do tomorrow!

 

[Aaron Shepanik]

Can you post a video? Maybe strings are worn out

let's see if I can attach this video here:

 

[Jesse Salmons]

let's see if I can attach this video here:

Either your strings are in need of replacing or you’re not properly muting the B string while you bend the high E. Thats just my observation dude

 

[Aaron Shepanik]

Either your strings are in need of replacing or you’re not properly muting the B string while you bend the high E. Thats just my observation dude

Much appreciated. I'll try a new string, but I'm guessing you're probably on to something about not muting properly!

 

[Mariler]

One question on how to bend a string correctly.

Do you bend the string quickly to get the right pitch right away and hold it, or do you bend the string slowly? Or does it depend on the expression you want?

 

[Forgetabull]

One question on how to bend a string correctly.

Do you bend the string quickly to get the right pitch right away and hold it, or do you bend the string slowly? Or does it depend on the expression you want?

Based on the expression you want. You will generally want the actual bending of the string to be consistent though (ie. not sounding like you're fishing for the note) so if you want to bend slow, make it smooth, fast, make it smooth, adding stank, make it smooth