Help With Bends
The bend is the most versatile and useful technique available to guitarists.
However, it is also the most difficult. It can sometimes be hard to push the strings
enough to bend them up 1 or even 1/2 step. The first thing to make sure is
that you are using a finger that has enough strength to bend the string. At first,
try all bends with your ring finger, because you can put all the force of your hand
behind it. Your fingers will also get stronger as you keep bending,
so the more you try, the better it will get. Another way to make strings easier to
bend is to stretch them out a little. Try tuning your strings up slightly
and leaving your guitar overnight. Do not tune them too high or you will break strings
or damage the guitar. Perhaps a 1/16 turn on your tuning pegs will be sufficient.
Make sure to detune them in the morning.
You will also stretch strings out by bending notes, so you should notice bending getting
easier as you bend the strings more.
MMC noteOne trick I picked up outside of these pages came from a blues lesson from
a friend - he pointed out that a classic blues "position" of index-finger on high 'E', ring and
middle fingers on 'B' and 'G' one or two frets up, puts you in a good position to use both ring-and-middle for
the big bends (whole-note). It certainly made it much easier for me. From there, you can play the two strings
initially one whole note apart, then bend the lower string up two semitones to match the first string. Kind of
difficult on an acoustic, very useful on an electric.
Try these hints and bending should get easier. Remember that the more you do it,
the better it gets, so keep trying! Good luck!
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since 8-30-97
© 1997 Daniel E. Smith. © 2004 Mike McCracker. Last updated 9-3-97