Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

[Number Of The Priest]

I can do the first lick fine, but the second one is the one that I am having problems executing properly:



The first is easy because I can bend the B string with my middle and ring fingers while keeping my index finger planted on the E string for that note. Easy.

The second one is friggin' tricky. What do you guys recommend to help me execute it? I don't even know where to begin. Should I use my pinky finger for the note on the E string, or attempt bending using my index and middle fingers (which feels weird and unnatural to me) and keep my ring finger ready on the E string? I've tried both and they both feel REALLY uncomfortable and unnatural. Is there another way?

[jackson1]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

[jackson1]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

Originally posted by Number Of The Priest:
Should I use my pinky finger for the note on the E string,

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes Sir! Bend B string with your ring/3rd finger and keep your pinky ready for the E string.

Actually i find this very easy [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

/Henrik

[jackson1]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

NOTP, sorry man - that's a misplaced comment i made there (the easy part).

Hmmm... i'm testing that lick2 on my scalloped neck Fender. Maybe that's why it just plays smoothly with the pinky :-)

/Henrik

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

I guess I just need to overcome the weird discomfort and just practice the lick over and over... that IS what it normally boils down to, but now that I have the more "suitable" way of doing it, it would be easier to focus my efforts. Thanks. [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[fuel0707]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

I'd definitely recommend using fingers 1, 2 and 3 on the B string to help re-inforce the bend and using your pinky on the E string. I can imagine it might feel a little awkward because it seems like you are bringing your pinky in under your ring finger. But keep at it.

By the way, a similar lick can be played on the G and B strings. For example, bend the 14th fret on the G string up two steps (to the 16th fret) while using your pinky on the B string at the 15th fret. That move might feel a little more natural.

[Miffy rules]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

I use my mid for the bend, and my ring finger on the high e string. The reason for doing this is, if you have a floyd rose on your guitar, when you bend one string, others will definitely go outta tune. So if you're bending the b string, you need another finger to slightly bend the high e upward so that it stays it tune. For me, pinky is too weak to bend the high e, so it's better to use ring finger instead.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

But when I do these types of bends on Floyd-equipped guitars (which are ALL of my electric guitars), I palm the trem so that it stays level. It works. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Takes a little bit of practice to learn how much pressure you need to apply to push the trem back down to the neutral position while playing the bends and such, but it's worth it. Or, hold the trem bar using your picking hand's ring/pinky fingers and pull up slightly on the bar to counteract the pressure and keep the Floyd level. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

John D, I think I'll start with your way first. Seems easier on the G and B strings because the B string note is moved over by one fret.

[fuel0707]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

Originally posted by Number Of The Priest:
But when I do these types of bends on Floyd-equipped guitars (which are ALL of my electric guitars), I palm the trem so that it stays level. It works. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Takes a little bit of practice to learn how much pressure you need to apply to push the trem back down to the neutral position while playing the bends and such, but it's worth it. Or, hold the trem bar using your picking hand's ring/pinky fingers and pull up slightly on the bar to counteract the pressure and keep the Floyd level. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Another thought for handling the Floyd/bending issue is to simply and slightly bend the higher note in the lick. Or, depending on how you like your Floyd to feel, you might add another spring. That won't completely cure the problem, but it might help somewhat.

[jackson1]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

Tremsetter

[etaeniura]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

Middle finger to bend the b string and index on the e seems easiest for me, but i have big strong fingers.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

John D, you basically said what Miffy Rules said above mine and your replies. I have this weird guitar-playing ideology that I need to lessen the load of my fretting hand and it will be easier. So, because the right hand isn't doing any real complex picking, I'll might as well use it to palm the bridge down to neutral.

I'm weird, yes. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[toejam]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

Heh, I would actually bend the B string with my ring finger and still use the ring finger to fret the note on the E string.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

What are you, Superman? [img]graemlins/poke.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] Let's see some video clips of you playing this! [img]graemlins/poke.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[toejam]

Re: Bluesy bends and bluesy licks problems.

I wouldn't do it like that for the first lick, but I would for the second. Since the ring finger is already bending the 17th fret on the B string, it feels natural just to use the same finger on the E string.