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Since my earlier question was not very specific, I will try to word it better. I understand the concept of bends, but notes that I do choose to bend sound too predictable sometimes to me. I wonder, does everybody just bend up at the b string on the 14th fret while soloing in E? How about bending as the first note versus the last note of a lick, or even the middle. How would you use it in a phrase? If not playing a blues scale how does bending fare for you? Any partial input to any of these would be interesting to hear. Thanks- |
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Try to look for notes that are already in the scale you are using to solo anyway. For instance if you're soloing in the E blues scale, and you want to play a B (B string, 12th fret), why not fret an A# (G string, 15th fret) and bend up a half step? It'll give you a note that's already in the scale you're playing, but with the nice extra flavor of the bend. |
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Think of bending notes as playing 'two-notes' without moving. The original note and the resulting note of the bend should both be within the scale or key you are playing in. REMEMBER: Use bending, vibrato, and other effects sparingly. Just like a conversation - how many times do you want to say the same words over again? Also - good soloing is not how many notes you play - it is how and when you play the notes that you use. Some guitar players play lightening fast riffs and tons of notes and say "nothing" musically. A good, emotional, well placed 12-note solo can blow away a 104-note solo any day of the week! |
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Bending on guitar originated when blues guitarist's heard pedal steel guitar and tried to copy it. If you listen to a good pedal steel player, they'll bend up to chord tones and down to chord tones. They will also bend into the common suspensions and non-chord-scale tones. Another good thing to check out is a b-bender. The're mostly used by country players, but there are some really good country guitar players. I would recommend checking out Clarence White; I really like his guitar playing on the Byrds untitled. |
