Learn String Bending

Made Easy & Fun 👏

Time to explore string bending - an essential to start playing the Blues guitar! This is an expressive and unique skill to have in your guitarist toolset.

So, get excited to learn all about it. :)

In this lesson, you'll learn string bending to Pattern 1 of The Minor Pentatonic scale. We'll also check out exercises that will help you use the bends in the correct places.

When you are doing the technique the right way, you will find that it's actually effortless.

Ready? Grab your guitar, and let's get into it. :)

Using The Pivot Point

The pivot point is an important part of the technique. This is where your first finger meets the guitar neck. The muscles that you use to bend the string are in your arm and not in your fingers.

The muscles in your fingers are tiny. Using the pivot will create a lever that will make it easier to bend the string with control and accuracy.

It's a LOT easier to understand the mechanics by watching the video. So check it out if you want to be sure you get it right!

5 Steps to String Bending

1. Starting position

Grip your guitar neck with your fretting hand. Your thumb is on top of the neck. The 'web' between the thumb and index fingers is in contact with the back of the neck.

Now, the lower edge of the neck should be touching the side of your hand near Finger 1. If you're a right-handed player, your palm should be facing toward the right. If you're left-handed, it'll be the opposite.

Your little finger should be lowest to the ground.

2. Pivot Point

The pivot point is next to Finger 1. Make sure that point stays in contact with the guitar at all times. The thumb will remain over the top of the neck too.

To string bend, slowly pivot your hand so that your palm is facing up. Repeat the motion a few times, making sure you don't lose contact at the pivot point.

3. Fold Your Fingers

Now, fold your fingers over at 90˚ to your hand. Make the same pivot motion. Your fingers should be lying flat, hovering above all the strings. But they're not touching them!

You should be able to understand the 'mechanics' of the bend. If not, rewatch the video!

4. Now Bend

Now, time to bend! :) Place Finger 3 on the 8th fret of the second string. Back it up with Finger 2. Then, bend upwards on your fretboard.

Don't worry too much about the tuning yet! Focus on the movement. Practice this repeatedly until it feels natural! Make sure your arms are doing the bending.

5. Check Finger Position

If your fingers are parallel to the frets, you will be using your finger muscles. These muscles are tiny - especially compared to your arm muscle.

Intonation

Intonation describes pitch accuracy. With string bending, learn to bend the string, so the pitch moves from one note to another. String bending isn't random!

Learning to bend in tune takes practice. In this lesson, we'll be looking at an exercise that will help you learn to bend in tune. It's something that will be useful for many future lessons!

When the instrument is in tune, you can only play 'out of tune' notes by using string bending. You can also use a whammy bar if you have one. This means if you can play the wrong note, but it won't be out of tune!

Many other string instruments, like the violin, do not have frets like the guitar. So, the musicians have to place their fingers exactly where the fret would be to make the note in tune. It's not an easy task!

This is a challenge when a guitarist learns to play slide guitar. But lucky for us, we use our guitar frets as a guide!

The Exercise

Work on the exercises as shown in the video. We'll be using these particular bends in licks very soon. As you progress, take the same idea and practice all over the guitar neck.

Be sure that you play the starting note, the note you are bending into. Then, the starting note again and perform the bend. This process will help you a great deal in getting your bends in tune.

For most people, it takes a few months of practice to get it consistently right in tune. Don't give up! You might be working on string bending practice for some time, and that's normal!

I still work on string bending, even though I have been playing guitar for over 30 years! I can get it in tune most of the time.

String bending is something you'll find yourself revisiting throughout your guitar journey. :)

The Dreaded Seagulls

Once you have bent your string, you should have reached the desired pitch. At this point, the note needs to stop, so you need to mute the string. You'll do this with your picking hand outer palm BEFORE you release the bend!

Later, you can decide if you want to do this. For now, you must learn this part of the technique too. If you don't mute the note and start to release it, you will get 'seagulls' at the end of your bends. Unless you're doing it for special effect, this will sound silly.

So how do you prevent this unwanted sound?

Do your bend, then mute the strings with your picking hand. Release the note and continue! It might seem a lot to remember. But, learning it now will prevent a bad habit that is harder to correct later!

String Bending Practice

Over practicing string bending exercises will hurt your fingers. You don't want to hurt your fingertips! I don't recommend doing more than 2 x 5-minute practice sessions on this technique a day.

Make sure you practice well. Make the most of your time! You should find that you are getting it better after a couple of weeks.

String gauge For String Bending

I should also point out here that using thick strings will make bending harder.

For many students, it can be helpful to use '9' gauge strings when learning to bend. Then, you can move to a '10' gauge when you are comfortable with the technique.

Using a heavy gauge like '13' will make it very difficult indeed and is not recommended. Even if t's rumored the great Stevie Ray Vaughn used one, it's better to start with a lighter gauge!

Many great country guitarists use a '9' gauge because it is significantly easier. When complex bends, it's pretty much necessary to use a light gauge.

Recommended Blues Album

Here are some great Blues albums I recommend. Make sure you are aware of the great blues music that you'll be learning on your journey! :)

Eric Clapton (w John Mayall) - Bluesbreakers [called the "Beano" album] (1966)

This John Mayall album featuring Eric Clapton blew my mind when I first heard it. Clapton's full of energy here! The power of the band is incredible. And, the album features some astonishing lead solos! You also will hear a brilliant and cover of Freddie King's song Hideaway.

Buy at Amazon.co.uk • Buy at Amazon.com • Hear it on Spotify.

Backing Track For String Bending

I have several collections of blues backing tracks available in my store. Check volume 1 here. Jam Blues 1 collection. You can listen to short samples on the page. They are ideal for jamming. Have a quick try with the sound samples and if you enjoy please consider buying the album! They're all great fun for jamming. :)

Doing your bending practice over a backing track will help keep your ear tuned in and keep the bends in tune (which is very tricky without some reference!).

Now - ready to learn awesome Blues Licks? See you next lesson.