I have realized that when it comes to bends, I have a pretty decent range on most strings but on the first (e) string, I have a heck of a time getting it to bend a full step. I can’t imagine how people can get a step and a half! Is this a normal challenge? Any tips for overcoming it?
In the song I am working on, the bends are all in the neighbourhood of the 10th—12th frets.
If it matters I am not using especially heavy strings—they are 10-46.
A common issue.
Switching to 9s will make a significant difference.
Cheers, Shane
String bending is a lot easier when you use the correct technique.
Check out the bending lesson in the Blues Lead Guitar module in Grade4
Change to a set of 9s, you should check intonation and neck relief after doing so, as the overall string tension on the neck will be lower and it may effect it. There are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do so, I have not had an issue on 3 different guitars so it may have little impact.
I have been doing BLIM( JG blue immersion) course for past 11 months and at first had issue on string one and went to 9’s and then up to 9.5-46, I did try a 10 but still a bit too much.
When i bend the e string, i usually use three fingers. My index finger goes on the note i want to bend, and the middle and ringfinger, behind the indexfinger. (sometimes with a fret inbetween the index and other fingers).
That way, i have a solid base and can push the string up as far as i want/need it to go.
My string gauge is 10-46 too.
I never thought of changing strings. I think that with enough practice and a fingering you’re comfortable with, you’ll get there.
It was/is a challenge for me.
The biggest challenge is to bend to pitch for me. I continue to work on this and will till I’m consistent in bending to pitch.
I suppose it’d be helpful to know ‘how’ your bending the string?
Justin has a lesson on just how we should be doing our bends.
I confess I was bending using my finger to do the work, prior to checking out his video. Just like he says in the video.
I found the lesson most helpful.
And I’m having better success with bending after watching his video.
Check it out and see if your doing bends correctly.
If ya are. I think just keep working on it.
fwiw.
I seem to mostly use his pivot for leverage idea along with using backup fingers for extra strength. But I also find there’s times when I’ll use my whole forearm to do the bend too. It seems to me, there may be a time and place for both methods.
As for string gauge. imho, yer 10’s are just fine. It’s what I use too. I would think .009’s would be easier, but, I use 10’s like you and I’m not changing just because it’s easier to do bends on .009’s. I’ll work with my .010’s till I get it right.
I’m also finding his method is good for my acoustic too. Which has .011’s on it. So a bit harder to do bends on than .010s. But that’s ok. When I go back to the .010’s, I just find them just that much easier.
Good luck.
Thanks—that video is helpful. I think I have watched it before, but not in the context of my current troubles and it reminded me of some technique things I have probably been neglecting (notably using my fingers too much).
I definitely need to practice using my wrist more. I know it’s valuable to do that for certain vibrato techniques as well but it’s not something I’m comfortable with just yet. Just need to work on it!
I can bend 10’s to pitch now but I have found, especially doing so many within the BLIM(Blue Immersion) context it creates fatigue in the fingers quicker, and I bend with using predominantly 3rd, support by 2nd and 1st demoing the others, of 2nd with 1st in support and 1st on occasion 1 str bends(mainly1/2 and1/4 bends.
The other aspect I think that effects this is how touch your finger callouses are, mine are reasonably hard but I have gone through preriod when they softened up a little and bending became harder then.
Yep. I think there’s no “standard” way to bend strings.
I found out that my fingertips got harder and more “numb” with playing and time.
Sometimes they too feel a bit softer, but that’s usually when i step out of the shower. 
I was surprised how much more effort it took to do a full-step bend on the e string compared to the G string.
It took about another 2-3 weeks of daily practice to overcome this, but now I am able to do it more precisely and easily. That being said, I can’t imagine doing 1 1/2 step bends on the e yet!
I use 10’s on a LP-style guitar.
There may not be a standard but there is a Easy way and a hard way. Good technique and using your wrist and support fingers is the easy way. See Justin’s lessons on bending if your not sure.
Actually, Justin re-did that video, I think the newer version is a bit better:
https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/bending-technique-in-blues-bl-403
And btw, It’s absolutely worthwhile spending some time getting a good bending technique down. Once you do, you’ll find that (with some practice) you can reach the bigger bends.
Not sure what guitar you’re using but one other point re. bending is that if you have a floating trem, bending is slightly harder because the trem will try to compensate for the extra tension you’re putting in the string by bending.