Bending strings

[longbow]

Ok here's the deal that is frustrating me immensely. That is when I bend up a string the strings I am bending up towards get caught under my callouses and snap down for a really crappy sound. I have filed my callouses smoother but have big ass fingers that are fat too. So anyone ever experience this phenomena and if so what can be done about it. thanks

[jazztele]

if they're catching under the fingers, that's kind of what needs to happen...on a full step bend on the first string, the second and third are going along for the ride.

if they're snapping back down against the fretboard, it sounds to me (without seeing you play or your guitar in person) that the action must be too low...they're not getting caught enough...is this on a tele? if it's a tele with a vintage style radius, you might consider raising the strings a small bit to facilitate easier bending...

[jhundt]

....but I have big ass fingers that are fat too...

that guy Redd V. has some big old sausages, but he can bend pretty good.

When you bend, watch your left hand. Try a bend with your ring-finger. Does the finger end up flat across the neck, parallel to the fret with the last joint (closest to the nail) locked straight? This motion can cause the other strings to slip out from under the finger tip, which rolls as you extend the finger and lock that joint.

If you work on finger and hand strength you can bend the string using the muscles in your fingers. If you bend without extending that finger to the flat-out position you will simply push the unused strings aside. They will not slip back against your calloused finger as the finger rolls, because your finger-tip will not roll...

I don't think its any problem with your callous or the thickness of your fingers. But if you posted some photos we could really try to analyze the problem.

[charlie cash]

When I bend, the other strings kind of slide up on the fingernails instead of catching on the fingertip callouses. Try to keep the position of your fingertips more perpindicular to the fretbaord when you bend. (Not completely perpindicular, but try to keep the fingertip on the board and not let it roll down as much.)

[HOBBSTER01]

SAME PROBLEM HERE.
Action too low.
Readjust and call me in the morning.

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by jazztele

if they're catching under the fingers, that's kind of what needs to happen...on a full step bend on the first string, the second and third are going along for the ride.

I think this is a matter if habit and conditioning.

I bend with the 3rd finger using the 2nd behind it to assist and the 1st is covering the next string down (in pitch) so that it doesn't ring out when releasing the bend.

Nothing wrong with using all 3 fingers to bend though- plenty of people do it just fine, but I find I like to cover things so the bend is smooth as I can make it.

[longbow]

I usually bend with 2 fingers, the ring finger and the middle. The strings rollup on my finger tip and then snap down as I am bending up and creates a loud snapping thud. My fingers and hands are pretty strong though. Anyways I'll work on it. thanks

[jazztele]

Originally Posted by octatonic

I think this is a matter if habit and conditioning.

I bend with the 3rd finger using the 2nd behind it to assist and the 1st is covering the next string down (in pitch) so that it doesn't ring out when releasing the bend.

Nothing wrong with using all 3 fingers to bend though- plenty of people do it just fine, but I find I like to cover things so the bend is smooth as I can make it.

i was talking strings, and so was the OP. when you bend up, no matter what finger, the other strings are going along for the ride.

personally, i'm not a big bender,but when i do, i do it more or less like you do.

[charlie chitlin]

Go under...

[Charlie Bernstein]

No one's said this yet, but it's important: whenever possible, use two or three fingers to bend with. Bending with a single finger puts a lot of responsibility on one finger.

So, for instance, if you're bending with you're ring finger, put your middle finger down behind it on the same string and bend with both. If you can put your forefinger down on the string, too (see the above photo), that's even better.

You'll find that bending is easier and there are a lot fewer bloopers.

[red57strat]

Raise your action and watch your technique.

I like my action high enough that the next string gets pushed by the side of my fingertip, but not so high that the string goes over my fingers.

I don't like it when the action is so low that the next string goes under my fingertips!

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by jazztele

i was talking strings, and so was the OP. when you bend up, no matter what finger, the other strings are going along for the ride.

personally, i'm not a big bender,but when i do, i do it more or less like you do.

DOH.
My bad.

[jazztele]

Originally Posted by octatonic

DOH.
My bad.

don't sweat it