Bends carry a lot of emotion and feel. That is why solos usually begin or end with a tasteful bend. You can bend a note up like from the 7th fret to the 8th, or down like from the 17th to the 15th fret which is called a reverse bend which means you start on the higher note and end on the lower one. The best way to attempt a bend is by lining up 3 fingers on a string behind each other. Then play the note your ring finger is on and push the string up towards the low E string until it reaches the pitch you where aiming for. Reversing this series of actions will result in a reverse bend. Mastering bends will take quite a lot of practice. So be patient and willing to put time into it.
- Playing each note detached (including bends) is tricky but worth the practice.
- Bends also provoke emotion, which walks hand in hand with Blues.
- Remember to execute the final bend of this lick slowly.
