Blues guitar bends - lesson 1

Instructions

The scale diagram is extended with indications for string bending that match the notes in the C Blues scale. When using bends in lead playing, it's important that the bend hit the right target note (which is the note that we are bending to). For example, bending from Bb to C will sound great whereas bending from Bb to B will probably not sound so great over the C7 chord.

The two dots with "1" indicate that a full-step bend will sound great in the C blues context. This will bend the string a whole tone (e.g., on the second string it will bend from Bb to C). The dot with "1/2" indicates that a half-step bend will sound great. This will bend the string a half tone (e.g., on the third string it will bend from F to Gb). The dot with "1/4" indicates that a micro-step (or microtonal) bend will sound great. This will bend the string so that the sound changes but only slightly.

Notice that the dot on the 8th fret, 3rd string and the dot on the 11th fret, 1st string both are C notes. The reason for 1/4 is that for the actual shape is often more convenient to make a micro (or 1/2 bend) here. On the C note on the 11th fret, you have the option to choose. Notice also the for the F note on the 10th fret, you can choose between a half and whole-step bend, both will sound great since bot Gb and G are part of the C Blues scale.

Explanations

Chord and scale - This particular blues jam track is based upon only one chord, the dominant C seventh.

C7 chord chord intervals and notes.

C Blues scale degrees and notes.

There is not a perfect match between a A7 chord and the A Blues scale and this is one of the reason microbending the C note often is a good idea.