Good to see you posting the video. So some observations and going over what’s been said so far.
You actually need to get your thumb over more. The whole action comes from rotating the wrist. The knuckle joint on the index finger and the bottom of the neck act as a fulcrum. That needs to be anchored into position with your thumb gripping the neck. And the wrist rotation needs to be made with the forearm, so it is more the radius and ulna rotation.
Think of the action of turning a doorknob. If you do not use your thumb you have no purchase. If you just use your hand, your wrist joint will flex and it will be harder to turn.
As you grip and engage the forearm muscle the whole action is easier. But don’t take my word for it,
John to reiterate the thumb position, listen to what just says at the 4:00 mark.
I would also recommend you practice just doing the bend, without applying it to a lick.
For example, use Close’s “Smoke On The Water” routine, referenced here
so you can focus on just getting the action and the target tone/note right. When you have that down use it in some licks.
@elevatortrim I am thinking of muting the string after the bend but it needs work! @sclay I’m trying to pivot around the edge of my palm, just below the index finger, but your analogy to a doorknob is interesting. I’l think of that. @TheMadman_tobyjenner Good video. I think it’s given me an idea as to why I found the PRS easier to bend on: compared to my guitars. It has a very comfortable low neck profile and I believe that my thumb fitted more easily over the top edge. Another visit to the shop to check is called for. I do know it was the most comfortable electric I’ve ever tried out. Are they known for low profile necks? I’ll check out Richard’s Smoke On The Water.
I revisited the music store this morning and it’s very convincing that the PRS neck profile is way more comfortable for me than any of my current guitars. I think this is a strong argument for selling my current electrics and getting a PRS or other brand with similar advantage. I haven’t checked out any other guitars yet.
Edit: One thing I noticed was the PRS guitars look as if they are well made but the frets on the two models I tried need dressing. A lot of edges and corners need sorting.
As blues playing involves alot of bending, its more practical, necessary even, to often utilise the ring finger over the pinky. Unfortunately, the little fella is not great on bends. .
Stuart use 1 and 4 on the thick E string and 1 & 3 on the B and e, the two thinnest strings. Like most things its advisory not mandatory. When Justin first teaches the first Pentatonic scale
E 1-4
A 1-3
D 1-3
G 1-3
B 1-4
e 1-4
It only to get you used to which threads to hit/finger. In reality you will be bending a lot on the two thinner strings and using your ring finger will be stronger. But I am using another Blues teacher who encourages you to use both ring and pinkie depending on what you are playing. But I’d advocate fingering the Pent scale playing B & e with 1 & 3 (is that poetry?) but also trying to bend with your pinkie ONCE you have nailed it with your ring finger,
My 2 cents, prices vary,
New dude here in the Community. Thanks for the info on the 4 exercises – I kept hunting for them. Now have your response printed out and in my notebook.
No problem Don. I assume from your reply the additional text/tab guide was never added. This seems like ages ago and so it was ! I had to check which of my responses you were referring to !
Anyway hope they help.
And welcome to the Community. If you want to introduce yourself to folks, go HERE
I just got a 30% off deal on a PRS SE McCarty 594 in faded blue for the black friday. I can’t wait to receive it. On a side note, some reviewers said that its scale lenght (24.594") helped for bending. It was not the main reason why I bought it, but it’s nice.
.
On a side note, some reviewers said that its scale lenght (24.594") helped for bending. It was not the main reason why I bought it, but it’s nice.