[onefadedfan]

so i was just messin around reading some tabs and dabbling with sum bends and i realized that it seems almost impossible to do some if them. idk if it's just me or what but i don't even think my strings can bend that far on certain 1 and 1 1/2 step bends. it's not that i'm afraid to break a string i just honestly don't think it can bend that far. i'm using D'addario regular light strings for it. maybe it's my guitar?? some times it seems the strings above/ below get in the way to. is this just my fingers not being strong enough to bend it that far?

[allthumbs]

It is more technique than anything else. Tele country players do bends that are brutal emulating the pedal steel sound.
You learn to gather the strings against your fingers when you do big bends. In fact, it is quite common in blues to take advantage of other strings being bent at the same time and playing them too.

[LeeB]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

It is more technique than anything else. Tele country players do bends that are brutal emulating the pedal steel sound.
You learn to gather the strings against your fingers when you do big bends. In fact, it is quite common in blues to take advantage of other strings being bent at the same time and playing them too.

I think BB has made a career out of this move

[Stratrat]

Like AT said, a lot of it is technique....but you DO have to develop the strength in your fingers too. If you want to do big bends, lighter strings (.009's or .008's) will help in the beginning. As you're trying it, keep in mind that Stevie Ray Vaughan did some absolute monster bends using .013 strings!

[737blues]

SRV was always tuned down half a tone which helped with that but yeah, master of his art. I always try to get more than one finger behind a string I want to bend, helps a lot.

[godzilla]

Originally Posted by 737blues

SRV was always tuned down half a tone which helped with that but yeah, master of his art. I always try to get more than one finger behind a string I want to bend, helps a lot.

+1

Two fingers on a string is what my instructor told me too.

Steve

[onefadedfan]

great i'll be trying the 2 fingers. i didn't wanna develop bad technique but it makes sense.

[Stratrat]

Another +1 on two fingers. One finger will work for vibrato or half-step bends, but that second finger will definitely help when you're trying full-step bends.

[cshude]

I can usually do a full step bend with one finger using .11s if necessary, but usually will hit it with 2 to keep from tiring the hand out prematurely. Best thing is practice- it'll build up the strength, plus you can work on hitting that exact point for the 1/4, 1/2, and full step tones.