GUITAR WORKOUT

APRIL 2014 97
String Bending
Master the art of string bending with TGs 12-minute practice
routine covering four challenging exercises
IN THE 1930s and 1940s,
players such as Django Reinhardt
and Charlie Christian started
using string bends to emulate the
smooth sounds of violin
glissando and slide guitar. Its
now a staple technique, as
modern guitars and slinkier
string gauges allow bends to
become wider, with up to five
semitones possible. The smooth
string-bend sound is great for
lots of styles, but the key to a pro
sound is bending in tune.
Weve recorded four exercises
to help you develop your skills.
The initial blues-rock style lick
will get you used to bending the
second and third strings. The
second, Hendrix-inspired,
exercise will help you develop
accurate pitching and finger
movement. Our third example
covers Jerry Donahue-inspired
harmonised oblique string
bends. Finally, we introduce
some three- and four-fret David
Gilmour-style bends. Follow the
workout for guidance on how fast
to play. If our suggested tempos
are too fast, make up your own
checklist. Youll benefit from
practising slowly.
TECHNIQUES
GUEST LESSON
ERIC GALES p101
NEW! EAR
TRAINING p105
GRADES: ROCK
SCHOOL p106
GRADES:
RGT p107
Your 12-minute
workout guide
1. CHOOSE AN EXERCISE
EX 1 Blues-rock bends
Three minutes
EX 2 Unison bends
Three minutes
EX 3 Oblique bends
Three minutes
EX 4 Wide bends
Three minutes
2. SET YOUR METRONOME
This months workout isnt
necessarily focused on speed,
but your practice routine will be
enhanced by playing to a
metronome at different
tempos. Weve suggested
tempos beside each exercise.
3. START THE STOPWATCH
All of this months exercises are
suitable for all players to
attempt. Either dip in and try the
exercise that interests you
most, or for a tougher challenge
mix and match any or all of the
exercises. Make sure you dont
stop before three minutes have
passed, though!
TRACKS 3336

StringBending

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98 APRIL 2014
EX 1
YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE
YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE
EX 2
Start your practice session with this basic blues-rock bending lick
Develop your finger independence and bending intonation with this unison lick ..................
TRY TO execute each bend with your third finger, supported by the second just behind it. This will
leave your fourth finger free for the 8th-fret pull-off. This lick is great for improving both strength
and dexterity. Aim for seamless movement from bend to fretted note, and vice versa.
THE BASIC idea is to keep your first finger still on the second string while you execute the bend on
the third string. The bend should reach the same pitch as the fretted note, so its really easy to tell if
its in tune. You should hear the dissonant pulsing sound slow down as you reach the target note.
TECHNIQUES
|
STRING BENDING
1 70 bpm 45 seconds
2 80 bpm 45 seconds
3 90 bpm 45 seconds
4 100 bpm 45 seconds
1 70 bpm 45 seconds
2 80 bpm 45 seconds
3 90 bpm 45 seconds
4 100 bpm 45 seconds
20-SECOND CHALLENGE
Transfer the lick over to the first and
second strings for a wider stretch
20-SECOND CHALLENGE
Use your fourth finger to bend the
second string
TG TIPS
Bring your thumb
over the neck for
greater strength
and stability

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Hendrix coaxed all kinds
of string-bending tricks
from his Strat neck
TG TIPS
Keep your pick hand
in contact with open
strings to avoid
string noise
AC/DCs Angus Young
uses plenty of string
bends in his ery playing
TRACK 34
TRACK 33

APRIL 2014 99
EX 3
YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE
YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE
EX 4
Take your bends to the next level with this country-style doublestop lick ..............................
Round off your workout with this bluesy Gilmour-inspired lick
THANKS TO the constant position changes, each bend will feel different so its important to
focus on one at a time to perfect the tuning. Its very easy to overshoot the semitone bends, so
make sure you practise slowly, referencing the sound of a C major chord to keep you in tune.
THIS HAS everything from quarter-tones to a full two-tone bend. The Gilmour trick in bar 2
involves a sort of double push in order to reach the two-tone bend. Relax the first one-tone bend
slightly to push on for the higher bend. Strangely, this is easier than trying to reach it in one go.
TECHNIQUES GUITAR WORKOUT
1 50 bpm 90 seconds
2 60 bpm 60 seconds
3 70 bpm 30 seconds
1 45 bpm 45 seconds
2 50 bpm 45 seconds
3 55 bpm 45 seconds
4 60 bpm 45 seconds
20-SECOND CHALLENGE
Have a go at transposing the lick to
another key
20-SECOND CHALLENGE
Try playing the lick on the second
and third strings
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TG TIPS
Practise each bend
by playing the target
note before trying
the bend
Gilmour often
connects two bends
together in quick
succession in a phrase
Jerry Donahues style
incorporates note bends
behind the nut of his Tele
TG TIPS
Keep your fourth
finger on the first string
throughout for the
best position
TRACK 35
TRACK 36