String Bends on Electric Guitar5 min read

The guitar is an instrument that can sing, cry and even scream. It can also display emotion through its various expressions only if you know how to do it. String bends will help you bring some really good emotions. String bending is a basic guitar technique, mostly used for blues and rock. It works by pushing a string across or over the fret-board to get the pitch up. It is very important to practice as it will sound awful when done badly. Also, playing notes out of tune is very hard if your guitar is in tune since if we do it without practicing it well it sounds like a kid playing with the Guitar.

How does String Bending work?

String bending occurs when the fretting finger is used to bend a note on the guitar fretboard. This technique displaces the string from its resting position. This feature allows a skilled musician to produce a singing-like quality by increasing the string’s pitch. It does so by pushing the string’s displacement upward.  Bending is an integral part of the blues style, especially for prominent players such as Eric Clapton. String-bending guitar solos were commonly used in the 1950s and 1960s for electric blues music. It was popularized by B.B. King.

Why String Bending?

String bending is a technique used to displace fretted strings by pushing the fingers in a direction that’s perpendicular to their vibrating lengths. Bending strings is a technique utilized for playing single-note riffs and lead guitar situations. This guitar technique can emote a “vocal quality” from the instrument.

So now it feels like why not learn them! As hinted above, it takes a good time of practice!! When it comes to learning how to bend strings, focus on doing so in tune with your wrist. It is possible to do so by pushing with both of your fingers. But then without knowing how to do it nothing can be possible let’s see how to make a String Bend below:

• Getting started with bending can be challenging if you don’t have strong fingers. However, with practice, your fingers will improve.
• Use two or more fingers, To get the most out of this technique, make sure that you use both of your hands for more strength. Also, make sure that you use the fingers as levers.
• Hold the bent note to make sure that it is in tune. Make sure that you know the note’s name and the amount that you are bending to.
• For the first lick, we’ll start with the minor pentatonic scale. We’ll then move on to a half-step bend and a D string finish.
• Put your finger on the B string and use the rest of your fingers to try and bend it. Next, hit the third fret and move to the G string. Repeat this step until you have the first finger on the third fret and the fifth finger on the D string.
• With the minor pentatonic scale, start experimenting with notes that are in the scale. Doing so will ensure that the notes will sound good.
• Playing the D string on the fifth fret allows you to bend a whole step. You can also bend the A string if you want.
• If you want to play a half-step step, you should start with the string at the top of the note and make sure that the pitch of the bend is the same.
• When bending strings, it is usually best to use your available fingers to help push the string. If you are holding a note down with one finger, use the other to help bend the note. No bend the B string down on the sixth fret, and use your other fingers to push the note into a whole-step bend.

Feel free to experiment with different sounds and lengths.

There are more ways to produce effects and emotions on your Guitar which is similar to a String Bend.

This is a method that is similar to the first technique discussed above, but instead of bending the string, this method mutes it by preventing it from returning to its normal unbent pitch. This method works by hitting the bent string with a down-pick and then touching its underside, which will cause it to stop ringing.

The pre-bend is another technique where you bend the string before playing it. This is similar to the trick used for the first two techniques, but instead of hitting the string with your pick, you bend the string before playing it.

So take a task for the week. You may pull up a jam track and try your hand with the techniques. It can take time to get it but Practice will surely help you master it.

Exercise

• To learn how to bend, start by playing the note you want to bend, followed by the note you want to bend to. This will help improve your intonation.
• Listen to blues masters and try and imitate them. This will help improve your intonation and make the guitar sound better.
• Some teachers suggest using a guitar tuner to get your guitar in tune, but I think it is better to use your ear. Since it is always said, “ practice with a finely tuned Guitar”.
• Once you’ve mastered the technique, start working on your vibrato. Doing so will help make your bends sound better.

Conclusion

If the note is dying before you finish the bend, you probably stopped exerting enough force against the fret-board to make the note sound good. To avoid bending the strings in the wrong direction, make sure that they’re in the sky instead of the ground. It’s easier to do this with the higher frets. When performing a string bend, wrap your thumb over the neck to minimize neck strain. When using the middle or 2nd finger, gently push the string to pitch while also using the index finger to minimize unwanted vibrations. It is a personal preference for many musicians. They often bend the G string or one of the other strings up and away from the palm. Hope this article helped you understanding String Bend on Electric Guitars.