Started on blues just (2 videos)

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heres the (new) video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3muj8R8kuRw
i learned few licks and try to vary them, blues is hard to me because of the full step bends, any tips on technique?

the bends are not in tune mostly i think

the wrist should be stiff right? and turning the string with lever like motion is correct right?

also id like any tips there is for learning thanks
 
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Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

Practice, practice, practice.

Try picking a note, bending it up a full step, holding it, picking it again and releasing it. Pick bend hold, pick release hold. Do this all the way up and down the neck on each string, giving extra attention to those strings and frets where you do the most bending. By doing this, you'll build up your muscle memory and coordination, and eventually it will become second nature. It may take a while, but as with all exercises, persistence pays big dividends.

Good luck, and keep twangin'!

- Keith
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

Practice, practice, practice.

Try picking a note, bending it up a full step, holding it, picking it again and releasing it. Pick bend hold, pick release hold. Do this all the way up and down the neck on each string, giving extra attention to those strings and frets where you do the most bending. By doing this, you'll build up your muscle memory and coordination, and eventually it will become second nature. It may take a while, but as with all exercises, persistence pays big dividends.

Good luck, and keep twangin'!

- Keith

yes my fingers are pretty hurt by doing this, were the clips any good or just awful :smash:
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

yes my fingers are pretty hurt by doing this, were the clips any good or just awful :smash:

What's "good" or "awful"? You sound like every other guitarist ever did when they started out. Nobody picks up the guitar for the first time and starts playing like Hendrix on Electric Ladyland—not even Hendrix. The idea is to make sure you're constantly honing your skills. You're going about it the right way by asking for advice.

Right now, the majority of your bent notes land out of tune, either sharp or flat. That's normal when you're first working on this stuff. If your fingers are hurting, you should take a rest. If you play too far through the hurt, you'll do more damage than good. Strike a balance by working on it to a reasonable level of muscle ache, then take a break for an hour or even a day.

As for the pitch, try playing the note you want to bend, then the note you want to bend it up to (e.g., play the note on the 7th fret of the B string, then the note on the 9th fret of the B string). Now keep in your head the pitch of that second note. Go back to the first, and bend to that pitch, then release. Do this slowly and evenly through the bend and release.

- Keith
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

Off to a great start, man. Certainly follow Keiths advice. Also, when you learn a lick, become familiar with it and then try and put your own spin on it in time. You're doing great with allowing for time in between licks as well, that makes a huge difference I think in feel. Some people try to play constantly throughout a song and never let a rest add to the feel of a solo, B.B. King is genius with this concept and you reminded me of him a little bit.
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

Neither of those links work.

"This video has been removed by the user".

My tip to you would be, if you find it physically hard to bend the strings, try a lighter gauge.
009's are ideal.
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

Okay, you have a nice foundation as that's a fairly nice tone you've got there.
What you played is nice enough - although something doesn't sound quite right. I don't think the guitar is tuned properly there.

Overall though, I liked it, you're doing a nice job there.
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

the guitar is in tune, i cant find bluesy sound out of the amp though its cube 30-x also i use neck pickup
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

You're getting a decent bluesy sound, try adding a bit more reverb.
If the guitar's in tune, I have a feeling your bends are off.
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

You're playing the right notes which is good. Your timing is off, but that will come with practice.
You're doing good though.
 
Re: Started on blues just (2 videos)

You're playing the right notes which is good. Your timing is off, but that will come with practice.
You're doing good though.

im glad that i bought decent guitar in start (gibson sg faded) i instantly modded it with installing gibson pickup covers to cut higher sounds, i think it sounds great
 
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