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Post subject: Trouble learning to bend
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:46 pm
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Roadie
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Forum members, you know that although I've got two picks here and everything, I'm still very much a beginner player, which is being brought home to me in a big way lately because I'm working on learning to bend and I CANNOT BEND. AGGGGHHHHH!

In order to get some practice my teacher has me working on a couple of solos out of the Guitar Hero books. One of them is the solo from Freebird. Now, I know this is a grand old song, and it was the favorite thing for guys to sit around playing for hours and hours when I was in high school, so I don't have any problem with the song or with the Southern Rock style in general even though it's not, like, my own main thing. So no disrespect at all to Freebird, but I am just not getting this.

First, I sort of can't figure out the point of why you'd ever want to play a solo like this in the first place (I'm trying to reach into my rockabilly-fan heart to see if I can draw some parallels that might shed some light on this), but at a more basic level, I just can't seem to get my fingers to do what they're supposed to do. 18th fret on the B (so a D), then full note bend, then 15th fret on the E (so a G). I can't seem to push the string far enough to bend the whole step up, I only get part way (and I'm trying it on my LP so the strings are nice and loose and everything due to the shorter scale length). Then I can't figure out how to release the B and hit the E string for the next note without it either snapping back or bending back down or accidentally hitting the G string or ARRRGGGGHHH. And then I can't at all figure out the variations and rhythmic changes written out in the tabs. Much less the upstrokes v. downstrokes, which notes need tremolo, the one slide that seems to be in there as well, on and on.

I'm feeling the same feeling of rising panic and frustration that I used to feel in Geometry class. But I know this is an important part of the repertoire, so I'm appealing to you - are there any helpful tips when trying to learn this very frustrating and difficult technique? Can you think of more examples of ways in which it's used for good and not evil (i.e. other good songs I'll need it for)?

Thanks in advance for any comforting words - I know you guys are always patient with me and always have lots of good advice.

Back to playing some Ramones to make myself feel better....

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:51 pm
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Ellen,

When playing guitar, a lot of the time, people try to do things in a, "non-ergonomic" manner, figuring somehow this is the 'cursive' or 'text book' way of fingering notes or chords. Case in point, let's talk about bending for a minute: Many players try to use whatever 'brute strength' their ring finger will provide and as you've found out, it simply doesn't work.

I shall presume you are right handed.

A demonstration: If you put your left hand on the side of a table with your thumb on the table top and your fingers underneath the table top and just grip ever so slightly with all, you will have done a quick exercise but with 'ergonomic' comfort. Although what I'm about to say is not 'text book' perfect in terms of fingering, apply your left hand around the guitar's neck just like you did with the table top. You'll notice that your hand/fingers are in a relaxed, comfortable position. Back to the table top. Now, if I said, push as hard as you can with your 3rd finger only, you will see your fingering lose it's comfort and your hand sort of spasticate in a way that no one by choice contorts their hand. You'll also find that either way, the thumb really isn't helping whether you use it or you don't. In essence, this is how you are currently trying to bend a note. What to do?

You've seen the NATURAL way your hand/fingers went around the table top. Put them on the neck in the same manner. Next, line up your first and second finger, fret for fret behind the fret your third finger is on. In other words, if you are going to bend the 12th fret, your 1st finger should be loosely on the 10th fret and your 2nd finger loosely on the 11th fret. Now as you go to bend with your 3rd finger, have that 1st and 2nd finger turning in concert with your third finger without the 1st and 2nd fingers leaving their respective frets. The closest thing I can compare this to is like if you were tightening the faucet head on a sink. Notice that there is a bit of arcing or circular motion involved rather than a straight, parallel push across the fingerboard too. You'll be amazed at the strength and control your 3rd finger just found. To bring the note back down, simply follow through in reverse. To kill the note so that it doesn't come back while relieving the bending pressure, simply stop the note with your right hand, be it with your the pick or if you play with your fingers, your thumb or a finger. The same holds true when you KNOW you are going to hit or simply latch onto a string you don't want to.

Everyone has their own personalized minutiae when it comes to such things. The technique of itself is not hard, it just has to be explained in a way that someone has relevant points of references to compare and contrast it with. You, just like everone else will find some of your own 'signature tricks' which will assist you in developing and mastering this technique. This same technique also works for controlling and regulating fingered vibratos as well.

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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:16 pm
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Ummm...

^^+1

Except 18th fret on a b-string is F not D :lol:

Just palm mute with your with hand. Anchor your right hand onto something; I put my wrist on the low E, some guys (and girls! Sorry!) put their pinky on the pickguard. This makes it easier to palm mute and to get from string to string easier.


-The Screamin' J

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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:22 pm
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Thanks to both of you! That could well do the trick - I think I was indeed trying the "spastication" method but will try the "zen table edge" way and see if it helps.

And also, I posted this in the Tele forum accidentally, so my apologies if it doesn't really fit here.

:-)

EllenW

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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:21 pm
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Any guitar purist will castigate me for saying this, but I think you can give yourself a mechanical advantage by playing with your thumb hooked over the top of the neck. In addition to uncomplicating several chord shapes and easing transitions, it seems to make big bends easier. Describing the actual mechanics is almost impossible, but give it a try. That left hand position is very controversial: purists hate it, and rock guitarists love it. It can be useful in a plethora of way though.

Also: practice lots. Your hands will get stronger and, more importantly, accustomed to the new technique you're teaching them. It all gets easier.


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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:23 am
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All things come with practice. You may be trying material that is currently beyond your skill. Work on scales and chords.

If your high school friends were all sitting around playing "Free Bird" Ill bet they weren't playing it well. That is not easy music.

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