I’m back today with a lesson all about how to get better at guitar bends—a must-have technique for expressive soloing! Whether you’re going for that sweet bluesy wail or precise vibrato, this one’s for you!
In this lesson, we’ll cover:
⦿ How to develop pitch-perfect bends using your ear
⦿ Bending with multiple fingers for strength and control
⦿ Vibrato techniques at the top of a bend
⦿ The difference between half-step, full-step, and minor third bends
⦿ Practice tips to lock in your muscle memory
FREE Essential Licks Course – Packed with tabbed-out solos that include bending and phrasing ideas to build your vocabulary.
Grab it here: https://www.martymusic.com/essential-guitar-licks-signup
If your solos feel a little flat, maybe it’s time to bend the rules! Work those bends into your practice and watch your lead playing stretch to new levels!
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0:00 – Intro to String Bending Techniques
1:08 – Using Your Ear for Pitch Accuracy
2:31 – Half-Step vs Full-Step Bends (and the Blues Note!)
3:36 – Practice Tip: Playing the Target Note First
4:50 – Adding Vibrato at the Top of a Bend
6:55 – Minor 3rd Bends and Chromatic Blues Licks
7:51 – Moving to the Upper Octave for Easier Bends
9:02 – Classic Bluesy Bends
10:22 – Final Technique Rundown and Sound Demos
12:12 – Get the FREE Essential Licks Course