We've learned some interesting new techniques in the past few lessons,
but none that will give you as much trouble in the beginning as string
bending. Bending strings is a technique used, when playing single note
riffs and solos, to give the guitar a more "vocal" quality. Although it's
a technique used mostly by lead guitar players, even three chord folk guitarists
will call upon string bends from time to time.
Bending
Technique
Bending
the strings far enough to get the pitch to change (which is what
we're trying to do) takes a good deal of effort. The key is to use three of
your fingers to bend the string, instead of just the finger on the
fret you're trying to bend. You accomplish this by placing your third
finger on the fret you're trying to bend. Place your first and second
fingers on the frets behind it, and exert pressure with all three
fingers. Let's look at the first exercise.
Start by fretting the note on the tenth fret of the second string, with
your third finger. Your second finger should rest on the second string,
ninth fret. Your first finger should rest on the second string, eighth
fret. Our goal is to bend this note up one semi-tone (called a "half
step"), and then return the note to it's original pitch. Play the tenth
fret, then the 11th fret, so you can hear the proper pitch of the note
you're trying to bend to. Then pick the note, and exert force in an upwards
motion (towards you), while still putting some pressure on the string
so it keeps ringing. Try and use all three fingers to bend the string,
not just the third finger. Then, return the note to it's original pitch.
Chances are, when you first attempt this, you won't get the pitch to
change much. This will be especially true if you try bending on an acoustic
guitar - they are much harder to bend strings on. Be extremely patient...
chances are you haven't used these muscles before, and they'll take time
to strengthen. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it eventually.
Be sure and listen to the audio clip to hear what the bend should sound
like.
A
Harder Bending Technique
