Part 9: Pentatonics become musical choices · Lesson 086 / 117
Bend to a named pitch
Match a whole-step bend to an audible target.
A string bend raises pitch without moving to a higher fret. Its target is a pitch, not a particular distance your finger travels sideways.
For a whole-step D-to-E bend, start with D at G-string fret 7. The target is the E you can hear at G-string fret 9 or B-string fret 5. Play that E normally first, then attempt to raise the D until it matches. A whole step is two semitones.
Use supporting fingers when comfortable, keep the wrist and hand relaxed, and stop if there is pain. String gauge, tuning and guitar setup affect the physical effort. Accuracy matters more than force.
A written 7b9 is commonly used to describe this pitch destination: fret 7 bent to the pitch normally found at fret 9. You are not sliding to fret 9. A bend can also release back to D; that release needs timing and a named destination too.
Hear it
Picked bend-target references, not a simulated hand demonstration
Audio fileFour-beat count-in · 60 BPM · Warm sampled electric guitar. Listen once before playing along.
A concrete example
G7 D bent a whole step reaches E, matching G9 or B5. In A minor, the motion is 4→5.
Try it, slowly
- Play the reference E and listen carefully.
- Bend D towards it, then compare again.
- Practise a slow bend and release, naming D→E→D.
Check one idea
Does “bend two semitones” mean move your finger physically across two strings?
Show the explanation
No. It specifies the pitch change. Physical travel varies with the instrument and string; match the audible target.
A good place to stop
You can identify the starting and target pitches and judge them against a reference, without forcing the movement.
Return to the example after a short break. A clear explanation matters more than speed.