TECHNIQUE FOCUS STRING BENDING

String bending is a great way to add expression. The ability to manipulate any note on the fretboard in this way is a great asset, and means you can access all those microtonal intervals not available on instruments like the piano. If you want to create an upward glissando (a smooth upward glide in pitch) then simply bend the string up to the desired pitch at the desired rate. If you would like to create a downward glide then you can pre-bend the string and then release it. Once the string is bent to pitch you can add finger vibrato to help with the intonation and add interest and feeling. A key problem area when developing the string bending technique is intonation (bending in tune). Just like a singer needs to practise singing all the pitches in tune so does the string bender. Before attempting any string bending it is a good idea to warm up. Make sure you stretch out the muscles of the forearms and warm the hands up fully. This will improve performance and help to prevent injury. A popular method of developing your ability to bend to pitch is to choose a target tone. The A Minor Pentatonic provides some familiar territory, so let’s choose the notes G and A to practise with. Play the note G at the 8th fret, second string with your third finger. You can place other fingers behind the third finger for added strength. The A note is the target tone you are aiming for when you bend (10th fret on the same string) and you can fret this before bending to get a reference pitch. Now bend the G note up by one tone (two frets) until you think you have hit the A. You can check and re-check the intonation by playing the fretted A. Before long your muscles will memorise the amount of pressure it took to get to the right pitch and also the sound of the ‘in tune’ A note. You can use this method for semitone (one fret) and tone-and-a-half (three fret) bends.