Photo by Surat Lozowick

Bending strings is used to give the guitar a more personalized and harmonic quality. This technique is primarily used by lead guitar players but is also employed in various styles of playing. When it comes to shaping your playing style, two major components are vibrato techniques and string bending. The combination of these skills largely defines what sets your playing apart from others.

The goal is to bend the strings to reach the desired pitch. Using three fingers instead of just one to bend the string is the key to achieving this. Place your third finger on the fret you intend to bend and position your first and second fingers on the frets behind it. Utilize the strength of all three fingers when performing a bend.

For example, fret the note on the 7th fret of the third string with your third finger, while your other fingers are on the 6th and 5th frets. The objective is to bend this note up one step, equivalent to two frets, and then release the string to return it to its original pitch. Before attempting the bend, play the note on the 9th fret as a reference. The goal is to make the tone of the bend “reach” the tone of the reference note. To practice, start by playing the reference note and then quickly move to the correct position and execute the bend until you can consistently match the reference note.

A significant aspect of defining your playing style is determining the extent of the bend, adding vibrato, and the speed at which you release it. To explore the various sounds you can create, it’s a good idea to experiment and have fun with different types of bends and releases. Try bending the note before striking it to emphasize the release, or experiment with wide or narrow vibrato to add character and color to your bends.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME

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