Bending vibrato

[MadTaco]

Anyone have any exercises or tips on this technique? I'm working on David's DVDs for Hey Joe and Smoke on the Water, and this technique is EVERYWHERE. I'm very, very slowly getting it down, but it's going to require more strength than I currently have.

For those who haven't been introduced to this technique (I know I sure wasn't as of about two weeks ago), it involves bending a note, then adding vibrato to the note WHILE its bent. Yeah, it sounds hard, and it IS pretty difficult. Any exercises or extra advice would be awesome.

By the way, those DVDs are awesome. I'm playing for hours per day now instead of 15-20 minutes. It feels like two years ago when I first started playing.

Thanks :cool:

MadTaco

[custom24]

I know this sounds like lame advice, but just keep practicing and one day it will just happen. I had almost given up on being able to do it properly, and then BAM I just could. I had bought a used PRS guitar and something about the neck on it just made me try it again, and I did it.. and I have been able to ever since. It really adds feeling to what you're playing, so do keep at it, and you'll get it too.

Advice I can give for technique is lock your fingers (the joints) and turn your wrist to make the bend, rather than using your fingers to push the strings. This will make it a lot easier, take strength (mostly) out of the equation, and keep your vibrato more even and fluid. Hope that helps a little.

[MadTaco]

Your advice for using your wrist for the bend makes sense and effectively phrases what I found myself doing last night. Good to get some confirmation from someone that it's a good technique. Also helps to know that you agree that was difficult to learn. Interesting how much comfort we get from the comparison of another's difficulties, isn't it?

Thanks for the feedback. Your posts are always constructive. Rock on.

MadTaco

[custom24]

I try to help out, because when I was beginning I didn't have anyone to tell me these little things that help greatly.

It was very hard, and I had all but given up and thought I'd just never be physically able to do it.. then all of a sudden I could.. and then I'd lose it.. and then it would come back for longer.. and then I'd lose it.. you get the picture, but then one day I suddenly had it and could pull it off any time.. and you will too.