BL-403 • Bending Technique In Blues

[Fox Terrier]

I found that actually playing a song with string bends worked for me. Start with an easy part - I started with the two intro licks on Aretha Franklin's 'Respect'. One string bend on each.


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[philipekken]

Hello there,

i`m following the the Blues lead guitar course and i struggle with bending the high e string as shown in one of justin`s licks for pattern 1. Bending the e string a whole tone is quite hard to do and...this is the actual problem...the string breaks after a fewhours playing. I had to replace the string already twice in a few days.

I`m using new 0.10 Earny Balls strings on a quite new Squier Tele Classic vibe. I checked frets and bridge for any damage but looks fine. It breaks exactly at the point of the highest tension. Am i doing something wrong or is this a common issue on a Telecaster (that has a relative short neck)?

thanks in advance for any help
Phil

[philipekken]

i think i found the mistake...it was kind of wrong technique. I was supporting the bend with my 2nd and 3rd finger however i was pressing the second finger directly on the fret, means the string had maximum friction and broke after a while playing. Now, putting the fingers between the frets makes it easier to bend and i guess the string will last longer...

[janekbaginski]

Hi! I would like to ask about diagram Justin mentioned in the video. I can't find them on a website. Please someone possibly could give a link?

Thanks in advance.

Jan

[jelseg]

hi,

I have a similar problem as philipekken: I can't bend the high e string a whole tone (no problems with the other strings). When I almost reach a full tone the string breaks.

[Maengl04]

Hi,
When I’m string bending, I keep getting an unwanted sound from the above strings. But its not because of my picking hand. It’s because of my feet hand. Are there any tips I can try? Thanks

[DarrellW]

You need to mute the other strings possibly with a combination of your fretting and picking hands, it’s a common problem when you start but practice cures it.

[Matek]

Hi,
When I’m string bending, I keep getting an unwanted sound from the above strings. But its not because of my picking hand. It’s because of my feet hand. Are there any tips I can try? Thanks

In the video he shows how to use a palm mute to quiet the strings after bending. For me it works at a slow tempo but can't get it to work when I speed up

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[truman48]

Hey guys, Im struggling with lick no#3 pattern 1 of the lesson "5 Blues licks from pattern 1". When I try and bend the 2nd string on the 8th fret it sounds like a Cat dying. I think its the same thing Justin called seagulls in his video but I cant seem to bend without them.

Any pointers??

[truman48]

Anyone??

[DavidP]

Anyone??

Wish I could help, but above my current play-grade ...

[DarrellW]

Right, maybe I can help!
You get that comical sound by not muting the string once you get the bend up to pitch - you need to control how fast you get up to the desired pitch and then be aware of how it should sound at pitch, then once you get to pitch immediately mute the string using the fleshy part of your picking hand thumb - it must be muted before you start to let the bend down!

[truman48]

Right, maybe I can help!
You get that comical sound by not muting the string once you get the bend up to pitch - you need to control how fast you get up to the desired pitch and then be aware of how it should sound at pitch, then once you get to pitch immediately mute the string using the fleshy part of your picking hand thumb - it must be muted before you start to let the bend down!

Hey DarrellW I didn't know anyone had replied to this but thanks heaps for your advice. I gave it a try and Im much better at it now even after just five minutes. I was muting wiht my palm but using the thumb is much better and seems to be quicker.  Thanks again.