The Complete Guide to Guitar String Bending
Master the art of expressive playing with comprehensive technique, exercises, and interactive tab players
Table of Contents
String bending is one of the most expressive techniques in guitar playing, allowing you to add emotion, soul, and vocal-like qualities to your playing. Whether you're playing blues, rock, country, or jazz, mastering string bending will take your guitar skills to the next level.
What is String Bending?
String bending involves pushing or pulling a guitar string across the fretboard to raise its pitch. This technique mimics the human voice's ability to slide between notes and adds incredible expressiveness to your playing.
When you bend a string, you're essentially stretching it to increase its tension, which raises the pitch. This creates a smooth, vocal-like transition between notes that's impossible to achieve with just fretting.
Types of Bends
Bend Amount
Quarter-Tone Bend (Microbend)
Subtle pitch raise, adds blues "dirt" and expression
Half-Step Bend (Semitone)
Raises pitch by one fret, most common and easiest to control
Whole-Step Bend (Full Tone)
Raises pitch by two frets, most frequently used in lead guitar
Step-and-a-Half Bend
Raises pitch by three frets, challenging but powerful
Release & Motion Techniques
Bend and Release
Bend up to target pitch, then release smoothly back to original note
Pre-bend
Silently bend string first, then pick for instant target pitch
Pre-bend and Release
Pre-bend silently, pick at target pitch, then release down
Bend with Vibrato
Hold the bend at target pitch while adding vibrato for sustain
Multi-String Techniques
Unison Bends
Play fretted note on one string, bend adjacent string to match pitch
Parallel Bends
Bend multiple strings simultaneously for thick, harmonized sound
Double Stop Bends
Bend two strings together while maintaining their harmonic relationship
Bending Direction Guide
High Strings
E (1st) & B (2nd)
Push UP ↑
Toward ceiling
Middle Strings
G (3rd) & D (4th)
Either Direction
Player preference
Low Strings
A (5th) & E (6th)
Pull DOWN ↓
Toward floor
Finger Guide
1st Finger
Mostly Downward
Can't use other fingers for support
2nd Finger
Both Directions
Support with 1st finger
3rd Finger
Both Directions
Support with 1st & 2nd fingers
4th Finger
Both Directions
Support with 1st, 2nd & 3rd fingers
Proper Bending Technique
Essential Setup
- Thumb Position: Place thumb on back of neck (traditional) or wrap over top (thumb-over technique) for support
- Finger Support: Always back up your bending finger with fingers behind it to distribute force and prevent injury
- Hand & Arm: Use your entire hand and forearm to generate bending force, not just fingers. Keep wrist neutral
- String Muting: Use unused fretting fingers to lightly touch adjacent strings, and rest your picking hand palm on the bridge to control sympathetic vibrations
Execution & Control
- Smooth Motion: Execute bends as one continuous, controlled movement - avoid jerky or hesitant motions
- Controlled Release: The release should be just as smooth and controlled as the initial bend
- Pitch Accuracy: Train your ear by practicing target pitches and checking accuracy with reference notes
- Direction: Follow the Bending Direction Guide above for proper push/pull technique
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Using only finger strength
- • Excessive wrist movement
- • Not supporting bending finger
- • Wrong bending direction
- • Inconsistent pitch accuracy
- • Abrupt or uncontrolled releases
- • Poor timing in musical context
- • Unwanted string noise
Vibrato Technique
What is Vibrato?
Vibrato is a controlled oscillation of pitch that adds warmth, expression, and sustain to bent notes. It's created by repeatedly and subtly bending and releasing the string, varying the pitch above and below the target note.
Vibrato Motion
- Wrist-Based: Use gentle wrist rotation rather than finger movement alone
- Consistent Speed: Maintain steady, even oscillations - typically 4-6 cycles per second
- Controlled Width: Keep pitch variations subtle, usually within a quarter-tone range
- Smooth Transitions: Start and end vibrato gradually, not abruptly
Application Tips
- After the Bend: Apply vibrato once you've reached the target pitch
- Sustain Enhancement: Use vibrato to maintain interest on longer held notes
- Musical Context: Adjust vibrato speed and width to match the musical style
- Practice Slowly: Start with slow, exaggerated vibrato before developing subtlety
Practice Method
Practice vibrato separately from bending first. Fret a note normally, then add vibrato without changing the pitch. Once comfortable, combine with bends.
Interactive Bending Exercises
Use the interactive tab player below to practice these essential bending exercises. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of string bending technique.
How to Use These Exercises
- • Begin with basic bends, then progress through vibrato, release techniques, and multi-string combinations
- • Most exercises use the 3rd finger to bend - practice with your 4th finger as well for variety
- • The last two exercises use your 1st and 2nd fingers
- • Focus on accuracy and control rather than speed when starting each new technique
- • Beginners may wish to start at a tempo of 60 bpm or slower
- • All exercises are written around the 5th fret, but practice them on higher and lower frets too - string tension varies significantly across the neck
- • If bending feels too difficult, try moving to a higher fret where string tension is lower, then gradually work your way down the neck
How to Read This Tab
- Standard Notation: The top staff shows traditional music notation for rhythm and pitch.
- Tablature (TAB): The lower staff shows fret numbers for each string—play the indicated fret on the matching string.
- Bend Arrows: Upward arrow (↗) shows bend, downward arrow (↘) shows release.
- Bend Amount: Numbers like 1/4, 1/2, Full, or 1 1/2 show how much to bend the string.
- Vibrato: Squiggly lines indicate vibrato on the note.
- Fingering: Numbers above the top staff suggest which left-hand finger to use (1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky).
Pitch Accuracy Training
Use Reference Notes
- • Always know your target pitch before bending
- • Play the target note first, then attempt to match it with your bend
- • Use your ear to develop muscle memory
- • The tab player above provides audio reference for all exercises
Tuner Practice
- • Use a tuner while practicing bends
- • Watch the needle to see exactly how far you're bending
- • This builds visual and muscle memory for accurate bends
Happy Bending!
Every great guitarist started with their first awkward bend. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be adding soul and emotion to every note you play!