When i’m bending a note on first or second string to a whole step, i touch the string above and make a horrible noise. Is there a way to avoid it ? Thanks
Kyle P
Hope this okay to add to the discussion but I also have a question regarding bending.
I have been practicing with a tuner to bend to the right note. Is there anything that affects the pitch besides how much you bend the string? Does speed of the bend, pick attack, left finger bending position contribute to the pitch? Sometimes I feel like I bend the exact same way but get a different pitch.
Mr Herve Castre, your question is an excellent one. I am also looking forward to Tomo's answer. I am assuming what you mean is you catch the string above and it slips under your fingertip and is not muted. I too have had that problem usually when I have big hard callouses on my fingertips or when my guitar setup is such that the string above is so low it slips off the edge of a callous and slides under my fingertip. I can tell you what I have done trying to deal with that problem. Sand down the callous on your fingertip so it is even and just the right hardness to catch and mute that string or adjust your action slightly so the string does not slip under your fingertip and remains muted.
Ross thanks for this response. I used to be able to bend strings without any trouble, but now I have this problem and I thought I was regressing!
I think you're right, the difference for me is that now I have thick callouses on my fingertips which the strings are catching on and then slipping off. They are causing other issues too, but I figured most people get thick callouses from playing guitar every day so it couldn't be the problem.
Kyle P
MR HERVE CASTRE
string muting the hand position really threw a loop at me, other variables is guitar necks they are all not the same, muting the string that's something I never heard before when bending strings, he mentions Larry Carlton who is I believe more of a Jazz Guitar player I wonder is this a Jazz Bend, I am struggling on Mr. Fujita method to get that correct pitch
I found the man Mr Fujita was talking about Larry Carlton , he had this video tutorial on You Tube
Max, it just takes a lot of practice and ear training. The tuner will work if your guitar is in tune and intonated well, it's easier to just use your guitar to check the tone of your bend by first playing the desired note on that string and then bend to it. The resulting pitch of a bend is mostly going to be how far you bend the string it not speed or attack or finger position. Try to think about rotating your wrist vs pushing with your fingers. It's something we have to practice all the time. I have read that Eric Clapton said the most constant practice he would do was to practice bends to keep his muscle memory on target.
the guitar itself does play a part being properly setup, string bending is a skill that does not come over night, I seen David Gilmour live a few years ago he was another player that could certainly bend strings
Rotating one’s wrist is a very good piece of advice. It works for me. Thank you. I think Aldo that maple necks are more slippery than rosewood.
also, sorry
MAX
MR HERVE CASTRE
Here is Tomo's comment:
"Thanks so much for subscribing to my Guitar Wisdom. Please use your right hand (palm) to mute the lower strings (above the string that you are bending). You can also use the first finger of your left hand to mute the lower strings. I mix these methods. In order to improve your technique, please set your amp a little louder and brighter, with less bass and no reverb! Listen attentively for noise, and keep practicing!"
Brian Walter Marto
MR HERVE CASTRE
I am getting it now , Do Re me , funny my late mother was trained in classical piano , she would always go Do Re Me lol just have to keep plugging away at it and ,patience patience lolol
Thanks Tomo for your reply. Muting is not the easyest thing to do.