Guitar Tips Learning To Bend Strings

Used to give the guitar a more personalized and harmonic quality is bending strings. It is applied in all styles of playing although the technique is used mostly by lead guitar players. String bending and vibrato techniques are two large components in making up a guitar player's style. More of less defining a considerable part of what makes your playing different from the other guy is the combination of these skills.

The goal is to bend the strings far enough to reach a desired pitch. Using three fingers instead of just one to bend the string is one of the key to this. Use the strength of all three fingers when you do a bend and use your third finger on the fret you're bending with your first and second fingers placed on the frets behind it.

With your third finger, fret the note on the 7th fret of the third string. Your other finger should follow on the 6th and 5th fret. The goal is for this note to be bended up one step, the equivalent of two frets, then releasing the note to its original pitch. Before doing your first bend, you should first hit the note on the 9th fret because this will serve as you reference note. When you do your bend the goal is to make the tone of your bend "reach" the tone of the reference note. Until you can consistently match the reference note, hit your reference note then immediately jump to the correct position.

When it comes to playing your style, defining a large part of it is the length you hold the bend, how quickly you release it, and any vibrato you add to the bend. To hear all the different sounds you can generate, a good idea would be to have fun and try doing a number of bends and releases. Color and character can be added to your bends if you try using a wide or narrow vibrato or you can try bending the note before you strike it so you hear the release.

Be patient you haven't used these muscles before, and is will take time to strengthen. If you keep practicing, you'll eventually get the hang of it.

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