OTHER BENDING TECHNIQUES
There's plenty of opportunity to add your own flair to your bends and slides, and a whole host of varied techniques to suit any player. Here's some extra methods to send you on your way.
Behind the nut bend
Although not commonly used, you can push down behind the nut for a big open string bend. Use it sparingly as this can severely affect your tuning.
Unison Bends
A great way to thicken up any guitar sound and get crazy. A unison bend is where you take a static note and then another note a tone lower which bends up to match the static note. To try this, play the B string at the 5th fret with your first finger and the G string on the 7th fret with your third finger. Bend the G string up until it matches the B string note. This technique can be moved up and down the fretboard, and can be heard in all kinds of songs, particularly those by Iron Maiden.
The ‘country’ bend
This recognisable technique is commonly used in country-style playing, almost imitating a lap steel guitar. Hit the B string on the 12th fret up with your third finger, then pluck your high E string on the 12th fret when the B string is at the top of the bend, once you’ve hit the E string, pluck the B string again and let the string bend back down.