In this lesson we're looking at pre-bends. This is when we bend a note before picking it. This gives a great dive-bomb effect without the need for a whammy bar.

Lesson aims

1. Learn to use your first and middle fingers to support your third finger while bending
2. Focus on the accuracy of your bend - you need to learn to hit the right note without being able to hear it!

Notation

The notation for bends and pre-bends are shown in this diagram. The notation on the right shows a pre-bend (as opposed to a standard bend, as on the left). The number above the note shows how far the note should be bent, measured in "tones". One fret is one semitone, therefore two frets is one whole tone.

Exercise 2 - Pre-bends