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Guitar Strings - Guitar Lessons - Half Step Bends

Although guitar string bending can be done on the acoustic guitar, the electric guitar gave bending it's reputation!

1. You will be pushing or pulling the guitar string to a different pitch(pitch is how high or low the note sounds)

2. Bring left thumb over the top of the neck

3. Left Fingers should be at about a 45 degree angle to the guitar string

4. Use a push bend on the 1st and 2nd, and 3rd string. Use a pull bend on the others

5. Check the pitch of the bend(demonstrated)

With your pick, mute the guitar string at the top of the bend.
Compare that pitch to the note 1 fret above(mute-silence the string)
Example: If you bend the 3rd fret note,compare to the 4th fret

6. If you bend with the 2nd Finger,use 1st finger with it (this gives you more power and control to bend the string)

• SEE PICTURE 1

7. If you bend with the 3rd Finger,use the1st and 2nd finger with it ( fingers should be touching each other )

PICTURE 1

• Practice bending the notes before trying the bend lick

• Practice the lick 3 times in a row (keep a steady beat)

• Practice the lick 3 times in a row with the metronome or the practice track

• >Print out the WRITE YOUR OWN page

• Write out a bend lick with quarter notes and half notes.

• Then write out a lick using eighth notes, quarter notes, and half notes

• Practice each one of your licks 3 times in a row

• After writing a couple of licks, try creating some on the spot. Count the rhythm out loud as you play.

• Make sure your licks are 4 beats long