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Half
Step Bends
A half step is one fret on the guitar. So when you play a half
step bend, the end note should sound like the note 1 fret higher
that where you are bending. There are 2 common ways to notate
a bend. The first way (fig 1a) shows that you will play
the note on the 3rd string 8th fret, then bend the 3rd string
7th fret up until it sounds like the 8th fret (the 8 that is in
the parentheses) The second way ( fig 1b) is the same
just with and upward arrow and 1/2 written to indicate that you
want to bend up a half step.
fig 1a
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fig 1b
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Do
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When you bend a string, bring your thumb up
on top of the neck. It is easier to push the strings toward
your thumb than away from it. |
Don't
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Things to do
Play the 8th fret with your 4th finger and bend the 7th fret
up a half step with your 3rd finger.
front view
(47k)
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overhead view
(64k)
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Play the 8th fret with your 3rd finger and bend the 7th fret
up a half step with your 2nd finger.
front view
(51k)
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overhead view
(50k)
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Play the 8th fret with your 2nd finger and bend the 7th fret
up a half step with your 1st finger.
front view
(47k)
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overhead view
(66k)
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* Although there are some guitarists that bend with there 4th
finger, it is recommended that you stick with bending with your
first 3 fingers only. Your 4th finger is short to get the proper
leverage to bend efficiently.
Page 2, bends 
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