- There's more than one way to play,
or articulate a note on the guitar.
In this lesson we'll focus on bending strings,
to help you play more expressively.
It can help give a more vocal and a lyrical quality,
to your playing.
Also, I'll show you how to bend up,
to different notes on the same fret.
When we're doing string bends,
we're actually pushing or pulling the string up or down,
but the pitch always is gonna be going up.
(string noise)
So it's gonna be easier on electric guitar,
than it is on an acoustic guitar.
When you're on the high E string, you have to bend it up.
There's no way to go down,
but when you're on the other strings,
you can definitely bend down.
Keep in mind, you wanna use your thumb for leverage.
So I'm here on the seventh fret,
and I'm using my first and second finger for added support.
And I'm gonna bend up a whole step,
which is the same note as on fret nine.
(string noise)
So to practice, we can play the note,
(string noise)
and then, bend up to it, from the seventh fret.
(string noise)
So now let's learn how we can bend to different notes.
Now I'm gonna show you how to, play a half step bend.
This is where we're bending up to the next fret.
So just up one fret.
So if I'm on seven, I'm gonna bend to the eighth fret note.
(string noise)
And we can check it, by playing the note.
(string noise)
So again, I'm using my third finger on the seventh fret,
and I'm using my first and second fingers below,
just as added support.
(string noise)
Now sometimes the tendency, is to pick,
and bend really quickly.
(string noise)
But it's better to wait a little bit when you're practicing,
and have a pause.
So pick, pause, and then bend.
So we're gonna down pick on seven,
(string noise)
bend up to the eighth fret note.
And then we can check it.
(string noise)
Let's take a look at that from a different angle.
Here's our eighth fret note.
(string noise)
We're gonna bend up to it from seven.
(string noise)
Now I'm gonna show you how to do a whole step, bend.
This happens when the bent pitch
matches the note two frets above it.
So if we're on seven,
we're gonna bend to the note that's on nine.
So we can play nine,
(string noise)
shift down to seven,
(string noise)
and then match the note.
This one takes a little bit more pressure with the hand.
So you might have to use your thumb,
or squeeze a little bit more.
(string noise)
And you can also use your first and second fingers,
as added support.
(string noise)
So remember, we're gonna pick, pause,
and then bend the string up.
(string noise)
And then we can check that note.
(string noise)
Let's take a look at that from a different angle.
We're on nine,
(string noise)
shift down to seven,
(string noise)
and one more time.
(string noise)
When bending on the low three strings,
it's important to bend down.
(string noise)
So the string is pulled downwards, towards the floor.
(string noise)
So here I'm on the low sixth E string,
third finger on the seventh fret,
we're doing a half step bend.
(string noise)
We can check our note on eight,
(string noise)
shift down to seven.
(string noise)
Let's take a look at that from another angle.
Our note is on eight, that we're bending up to,
shift down to seven and bend up,
(string noise)
pulling the strings down.
(string noise)
Bending is a technique unique to the guitar.
It is a great way to add a dose of expressiveness,
to your playing without having to play a ton of notes.
Keep practicing, and we'll see you next time.