Bending Question Options

[bryanmoore]

Greeting GMC,

I'm having a very productive string bending session today and wanted know if you guys thought my technique sounded okay.

Instead of my typical approach, (I hold on to the string with three fingers and rely on pressure and grooved calluses) I started pressing into the fretboard just beneath the string I'm bending. Of course I'm still holding onto the string but with a lot less pressure. My fingers are signifigantly flatter and the string is resting a little higher up on my fingertip.

It feels great, but just wanted to know if anyone thought I might be getting into a bad habit or something. I hope not because I'm finally getting a nice controlled vibrato. By the way my action is low to medium.

And yes Daniel Realpe I know, I'm micro-analyzing it again.

Bryan

[dark dude]

I'm having a tough time picturing exactly what you're describing. Any chance you could take a photo? Or rephrase?

You're basically making contact with the string further down on the finger, towards the joint?

[Cosmin Lupu]

Indeed, a little image or video would surely help otherwise, if you get things done and the bending/ vibrato sounds awesome, you should have no worries - but help us visualize a little

[Ivan Milenkovic]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean either, it would be great if you could make pics with your mobile phone and post them for us to check it out, or even better, record small phone clip, and post it on YT.

[MickeM]

So you're "lifting" the string with your fingertips with less pressure towards the fret if I got that right?
Sounds a bit weird to me. The whole idea would be that the string makes better contact with the fret rather than rest on your fingertips.
But that's me and I'm no expert

[Ben Higgins]

From what you've described it sounds about right to me.. you're getting your finger in the optimum position.. sort of 'into' the fretboard and 'under' the string almost.. instead of relying on it sitting in a grooved callus ?

But yes, a little video would help us know for sure.. but 9 times out of 10, if it feels and sounds right.. it is right And good to hear about the vibrato, it's essential

[bryanmoore]

From what you've described it sounds about right to me.. you're getting your finger in the optimum position.. sort of 'into' the fretboard and 'under' the string almost.. instead of relying on it sitting in a grooved callus ?

But yes, a little video would help us know for sure.. but 9 times out of 10, if it feels and sounds right.. it is right And good to hear about the vibrato, it's essential

Thanks for the input Ben. I always look forward to your advice.

This whole string bending/ vibrato thing turned out to be much harder to master than I ever thought it would be. Well, master may be jumping the gun a bit, but I'm clearly on the other side of the mountain and gaining steam. Now, the fun begins.
Thanks to all the instructors on this site. It's been well worth the money.

[Ben Higgins]

Thanks for the input Ben. I always look forward to your advice.

This whole string bending/ vibrato thing turned out to be much harder to master than I ever thought it would be. Well, master may be jumping the gun a bit, but I'm clearly on the other side of the mountain and gaining steam. Now, the fun begins.
Thanks to all the instructors on this site. It's been well worth the money.

Bryan, I'm really pleased to hear you're making good progress with bending/vibrato.. it can be a very tricky subject and some guitarists just leave it alone altogether and it always remins a weakness. And thank you for your compliments.. I know all here at GMC will be really pleased to hear that you think that