Can you bend strings on an acoustic guitar

An alternative is to slide up the frets instead. For example if you were going to bend a G up to an A, try just playing the G note and slide the finger along the frets up to an A.

You'll get the sound of the note moving up one semitone a fret at a time but yif you're playing it quickly, it's not too noticable. If you're using nylon strings, you'll find an odd effect comes into play which is that they're generally a lot less responsive to being bent than steel strings are. Again the gauge of the strings plays a part but here the 'sliding' technique might prove a better option.

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Should I even try it? Bending 1 semitone is easy, after that its quite hard Improve this question. Nylon or steel stringed? String gauge refers to the diameter of the strings.

As you may have inferred, lighter strings are easier to bend. They are typically lower tension than heavier strings, and therefore more readily pliable. But if it were as simple as this, why would anyone play on heavier strings? It turns out that this advantage involves trading off tone for bendability. Many players recommend playing on the heaviest strings you can manage for this reason.

But this is far from the only approach. Sure, Stevie Ray is in famous for playing expressively on insanely heavy strings. But by the same token, some greats prefer ridiculously light strings. The prototypical electric guitar string is nickel-plated steel, wrapped around a hexagonal steel core. But a bendy guitar player might consider some of the less common materials or constructions. Round core, old-school materials like pure nickel or monel strings, or high-tech manufacturing techniques are all on the table.

RotoSound Pink strings are a favorite for bending. Apparently, they detune at different rates. Remember when I mentioned great players who favor light strings? Willy line. The lightest gauge available are sevens for crying out loud, who does that?! Put another way, these strings will bend like cooked spaghetti.

Beyond note-bending, this could open all kinds of avenues for soulful expression, like fret vibrato. Start by fretting the note on the 10th fret of the second string using your third finger. Although they aren't responsible for playing any notes, your second finger should rest behind your third finger on the ninth fret, and your first finger on the eighth fret. Bending the strings far enough to get the pitch to change takes a good deal of effort - you'll want all three fingers to aid in bending.

Now that your fingers are in proper position, play the second string, and exert force in an upwards motion towards the sky , while still keeping enough pressure on the string to keep it in contact with the frets.

Make a conscious effort to use all three fingers in your bend, not just the third finger. When you've bent the string enough to reach the desired pitch, return the string to it's original position. Chances are, when you first attempt this, you won't get the pitch to change much. This will be especially true if you try bending on an acoustic guitar - they are much harder to bend strings on. Be extremely patient Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it soon.

This exercise is exactly the same as the previous one, except this time, we'll attempt to bend the note up two frets a "tone", or a "full step". Start by playing the tenth fret, then the 12th fret, to hear the pitch you're trying to bend the note to. Now, while fretting the note on the tenth fret of the second string with your third finger, pick the note, and try to bend it up to the 12th fret, then return it to it's original pitch.

Remember: use all three fingers to help bend the note, or you'll never be able to push the note far enough. The tab above illustrates three variations of a very simple guitar riff used often by B. The reason I use light strings on my dreads is because I do a lot of bending playing the blues.

Originally Posted by emil Find all posts by RRuskin. I like custom lights as well. Just bought a whole stock of different brands of 11s online. My first stock of strings Okay, so it's settled then. I'll learn to bend on my acoustic. Thank, everyone. Just because you've argued someone into silence doesn't mean you have convinced them.

Both use bending extensively. Secondly, if it were true, you would have to learn how to do it, just so you could be the first! Just wanted to let you guys know that I started learning the whole bending business today, and man are my fingertips sore.

It was a real eye opener to realize that it is not just random, but is done in semitones and two semitones, in accordance with the scale. Thanks all. Also, to be fair to Justin - he doesn't say you can't. He just says it's more of an electric guitar technique, and he doesn't want anyone to hurt themselves, and that maybe it's a good idea to skip the lesson, if you have an acoustic.

Last edited by emil; at AM. Good luck. Bending on an acoustic can be a lot of fun. My recordings.