String Bending
bryanmoore
Sep 27 2010, 08:46 PM
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Greetings,

I wanted to run this by you guys just to make sure I'm not developing a bad habit. When making a whole tone bend I seem to be getting the best results by using my wrist, keeping my fingers locked in place, and ALLOWING MY FINGERTIPS TO SLIDE EVER SO SLIGHTLY ACROSS THE STRING while pushing up. I have studied many of the instructors close-up string bending shots with a keen eye and seem to believe some of them must be doing this, no?

Bryan


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SirJamsalot
Sep 27 2010, 08:56 PM
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QUOTE (bryanmoore @ Sep 27 2010, 12:46 PM) *
Greetings,

I wanted to run this by you guys just to make sure I'm not developing a bad habit. When making a whole tone bend I seem to be getting the best results by using my wrist, keeping my fingers locked in place, and ALLOWING MY FINGERTIPS TO SLIDE EVER SO SLIGHTLY ACROSS THE STRING while pushing up. I have studied many of the instructors close-up string bending shots with a keen eye and seem to believe some of them must be doing this, no?

Bryan


Not sure what you mean by sliding ever so slightly across the string. I know that when I bend, I use my wrist as you say, but I'm pressing down on the string hard enough that when I do bend, my finger(s) are pretty much stuck to the string being bent, in place - there's no sliding that I'm aware of. Perhaps if you post a vid-close up of your bending that will help us seeing what you're doing? Perhaps I'm missing what you're saying?

Christian A.

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bryanmoore
Sep 27 2010, 10:48 PM
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From: Tifton, GA
QUOTE (SirJamsalot @ Sep 27 2010, 07:56 PM) *
Not sure what you mean by sliding ever so slightly across the string. I know that when I bend, I use my wrist as you say, but I'm pressing down on the string hard enough that when I do bend, my finger(s) are pretty much stuck to the string being bent, in place - there's no sliding that I'm aware of. Perhaps if you post a vid-close up of your bending that will help us seeing what you're doing? Perhaps I'm missing what you're saying?

Christian A.


Never mind this post. I don't know what I'm doing. The truth is the control's just not there. More practice needed I guess.

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Azzaboi
Sep 28 2010, 01:32 AM
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I believe you should bend with your fingers, not the wrist. Your finger's might not be up to strength so your wrist is making up for it. It might not be a bad habit as such, but when doing other multi-string bends or rock-cliches you might have some finger control issues.

Here's a simple exercise for developing your full bend ablility.
Make sure to reach the exact pitch you are trying to bend to.

CODE
E|--------------------------------------
A|-----------5-------------5------------
D|--7-(b9)-------7-(b9)--------7-(b9)---
G|--------------------------------------
B|--------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------


Keep the first (index) finger on the fifth fret, second string.
Move the thumb up slightly over the top of the neck (like a baseball bat grip).
The thumb over the edge of the neck helps push back against the pressure of the fingers.
Whole bend upward the 7th fret, third string, with the third finger and back it up with the second finger behind it for support.
When bending it's a good idea to back it up with supporting fingers to give more strength and control.

In this case, you are bending from D to E on the third string and then playing another E note on the second string.
Make sure your bent E note is not sharper or flatter.

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This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Sep 28 2010, 01:37 AM


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JamesT
Sep 28 2010, 02:11 AM
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One thing's for sure, it does come with practice. I think the most important part is that you're bending to the "target note" accurately. For example, if you're bending a whole tone (two frets), make sure the bend is exactly in tune with the fretted note of a the same unbent string two frets above. This to me was the hard part and made the difference in my playing between sounding like a screeching cat, and something expressive and musical. biggrin.gif It took a long time before I could hear this, so be patient with yourself. Once you can hear the note you're trying to reach, and you can get there accurately, then there is a whole world of variations that will open up to you.

I'm with SirJamsAlot, I don't think the finger tip should move relative to the string. The string and fingertip should move together. Also work on supporting the bending string with other fingers. If you're bending with the 3rd finger, place the 2nd and even 1st finger behind on the same string and use all three fingers for strength. As strength builds, that need goes away, but you'll find that you do that instinctively and naturally as things progress.

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thefireball
Sep 28 2010, 04:54 AM
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I think bending with the wrist helps a lot. It's more precise than the fingers because you are sorta locked into that position. Of course, your fingers do move a little. smile.gif

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Ben Higgins
Sep 28 2010, 08:54 AM
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Hi Bryan,

I think the guys above have come up with some good stuff. It's definitely a good idea to use your spare fingers to add strength to the finger that is playing the note. I've always tried to teach this point as it's so important to get control in things like bending and vibrato.

This isn't meant to be a plug, but my last lesson looks at string bending and might be a good exercise for you in terms of achieving total accuracy with bends. Have a go at it and see what you think maybe ? smile.gif

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-3/

It involves bending up to a a note.. but then bending up again to another note.. so it's a good test of finger strength.

Oh, I forgot to say : With me it's a combination of wrist and fingers... my wrist sort of rotates upwards towards the ceiling when I bend a string up. A lot of the strength come way back from your forearms and the fingers are just the final piece of the tool. Almost like a hammer.. the head would be useless without the handle. I hope that helps. :-)

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Daniel Realpe
Sep 28 2010, 03:02 PM
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it seems like you are micro analizing it too much,

but, for bends it's great to hang on the string very tightly, like very hard, and support the bending finger with the other fingers too, that's key,

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Azzaboi
Sep 28 2010, 08:54 PM
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From what Ben suggested in his foot note...

I checked closely to what I was doing, and yeah it's a combination of wrist and fingers, the thumb and other fingers (if used) continously supports the pressure. I'm sure this must be correct way everyone does it, just most don't take the time to analyze it in detail. As Daniel says 'micro analizing it too much', too much thinking about it probably would screw you up, unless your struggling or having some issue with it?

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This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Sep 28 2010, 08:57 PM


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bryanmoore
Oct 4 2010, 03:23 AM
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From: Tifton, GA
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Sep 28 2010, 07:54 AM) *
Hi Bryan,

I think the guys above have come up with some good stuff. It's definitely a good idea to use your spare fingers to add strength to the finger that is playing the note. I've always tried to teach this point as it's so important to get control in things like bending and vibrato.

This isn't meant to be a plug, but my last lesson looks at string bending and might be a good exercise for you in terms of achieving total accuracy with bends. Have a go at it and see what you think maybe ? smile.gif

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-3/

It involves bending up to a a note.. but then bending up again to another note.. so it's a good test of finger strength.

Oh, I forgot to say : With me it's a combination of wrist and fingers... my wrist sort of rotates upwards towards the ceiling when I bend a string up. A lot of the strength come way back from your forearms and the fingers are just the final piece of the tool. Almost like a hammer.. the head would be useless without the handle. I hope that helps. :-)


Thanks for the advice to use three fingers. Studying two finger benders like David Walliman and Muris ? have probably hurt me as much as they've helped me. Can honestly say my frustration levels have gone down significantly since deciding to rely on three fingers instead of two.
Also, thanks for the forearm tip. I didn't realize how much strength can come come from back there. Can tell an immediate difference. The video helped too - especially the inspirational quote.


QUOTE (Daniel Realpe @ Sep 28 2010, 02:02 PM) *
it seems like you are micro analizing it too much,

but, for bends it's great to hang on the string very tightly, like very hard, and support the bending finger with the other fingers too, that's key,


After viewing your "Wild Bends" video, I said to myself, "if this guy says hold on tightly then by all means, HOLD ON TIGHTLY!" Bravo Daniel, Bravo!



QUOTE (JamesT @ Sep 28 2010, 01:11 AM) *
One thing's for sure, it does come with practice. I think the most important part is that you're bending to the "target note" accurately. For example, if you're bending a whole tone (two frets), make sure the bend is exactly in tune with the fretted note of a the same unbent string two frets above. This to me was the hard part and made the difference in my playing between sounding like a screeching cat, and something expressive and musical. biggrin.gif It took a long time before I could hear this, so be patient with yourself. Once you can hear the note you're trying to reach, and you can get there accurately, then there is a whole world of variations that will open up to you.

I'm with SirJamsAlot, I don't think the finger tip should move relative to the string. The string and fingertip should move together. Also work on supporting the bending string with other fingers. If you're bending with the 3rd finger, place the 2nd and even 1st finger behind on the same string and use all three fingers for strength. As strength builds, that need goes away, but you'll find that you do that instinctively and naturally as things progress.


Thanks for the solid advice.

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