I need help with bends

[DarkAngel]

Hi Stone Dragon http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wink.gif)

I need some advise and tips about bends : while bending a string (1 step)such as when playing the dire straits brothers in arms solo part, can't avoid touching or making adjacent string ringing, and as some parts are played fast, can't manage to mute other strings with right hand or remaining left hand fingers, although i'm always only one finger for bends, as i developped enough finger strength.
Can you help me ?
Many thanks in advance

[ghodaddyyo]

Even pros use more than one finger to do bends. It's just smart, and efficiently places your fingers for reinforcement, as well as leaving you the notes of your scale under your fingertips. Think of typing and keeping your fingers on the home-row keys.
The extra fingers curling over the treble strings should help muffle unwanted noise. You should also become adept at muffling the bass strings with the meaty edge of your hand(karate chop portion). This should help with unwanted noise to a good degree.

[StoneDragon]

ghodaddyyo, You took the letters right out from under my fingers.

Muting unwanted strings is one of those elusive "mystery techniques" that you just sort of develop without thinking too much about it. If you spend enough time playing at loud voumes, it happens out of necessity.

[Strat-n-Paul]

It's definitely one of those things that you can't really explain, but just keep working at it, and you'll develop the ability to get a clean bend. Not sure I'll explain this right, but I kind of bend with my ring finger and pinky, and "mute" the other strings with my index finger, kind of like when you do a bar chord. It's just something you do over time; actually, I'll check to night, and see; Now you got me wondering if I explained how I do it correctly?! (lol)http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/think.gif

[MrSamson]

One of those mysteries that solves itself...that is for surely the case...

Pay attention to when you make it work without the extra noises...what are you doing?

It does take time...and I can totally relate to what you are talking about.

I am still working on it really.

http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[DarkAngel]

Many Thanx 2 :
StoneDragon, MrSamson, Strat-n-Paul, and Ghodadyyo
For their help, support, and quick replies.
I'm beginning 2 have the feeling of belonging 2 a familiy of guitarists !!!!
Well, when I bend a string (i.e the B string), it's normal to have the G string ring or make noise, and what i have to focus on is to mute/muffle the G ?
I don't like 2 use Compressor or Noise Reduction on my ZOOM 3030, cuz i wanna learn 2 play in a clean way B4, without any machine help, would these "effects" B helpful 4 me ?

[Strat-n-Paul]

They haven't made a guitar effect yet that can take out a "mistake" from your signal. (although there are pitch benders for vocals now that you can actually adjust a note someone sings sharp or flat). The effects you mentioned: Noise Reduction; this will literally reduce "white noise" or "hiss" from your signal generated by most likely the distortion/overdrive generator in the Zoom unit. They are useful to cut down the amount of background noise or "hiss" you hear when you really chrank the distortion up.
Compression: Compression does just what it says; It compresses your signal. Nothing more or less. It's used to flatten out peaks in your signal, and is helpful to get more sustain when used in your signal chain before your distortion or overdrive device. It trys to limit how loud (dbs) your signal will be, and boosts lower volume sounds. If you have too much compression, it will tend to "boost" any background noise that is present along with the signal you really want boosted. Compression I feel, is more useful for Bass players who use the "slapping" technic, as it helps keep a "lid" on the signal their putting out. It basically can keep you from overpowering your bandmates, by setting a threshold for the loudest peak of your signal.
There also are noise gates, which you can set the level high enough as to not let any "noise" or "hiss" through, but will let your guitar signal through. These are useful as well. Two problems with these:If you want to play a quite passage, your volume or signal, must be high enough toget past the noise gate, or your audience won't hear anything, even though your playing. Two, look for a noise gate that has what's called "smart gate circuitry". For example, if you hold a note out, and let it decay naturally, it looses volume right? Well, a cheap noise gate will literally, cut off the note before it has totally decayed, once it goes below the threshold you set. If it has "smart" circuitry, it allows the note to decay naturally, until YOU quit playing the note. However, it will let the noise back into your signal, at the threshold point, as it can't distinguish between the "noise" and your note. To the gate, both are just a "signal". Maybe some day they'll improve these short comings.

Hope some of the above is helpful!

BUT, none of these will "mute" or keep a string from "ringing" that you didn't mean to hit when you are executing your bend. No offence, but none of these tools "clean up" sloppy playing; Only Practice can do that.
Keep at it, you'll get it. It takes patience, which in our "fast food" society, not a lot of us have anymore.

Good luck! http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wavey.gif



[This message has been edited by Strat-n-Paul (edited August 17, 2000).]

[StoneDragon]

Those effects have nothing to do with cleaning up your technique per se...

A compressor evens out your volume and noise reduction is usually some sort of gating effect that shuts your signal off in between notes so you don't hear all the hiss that things like compressors add to your sound.

As far as that G string goes, you just have to learn to mute it. Don't fuss too much about it right now... it will come in time. A lot of these things take knowing that you need to do it and then forgetting about it. Your hands will find a way to play what your ear wants to hear. It takes time though.

[DarkAngel]

Once again many thanx 2 StoneDragon and Strat-n-Paul for help !
I know there are 4 main rules 2 reach great guitar playing :
1)patience
2) Practice
3) Practice
4) Practice
But on the road i need some tips and advice from experienced players so if i'm doing something wrong, i can correct at time and it doesn't become a habit !
i started to learn guitar in April 2000, just after discovering StoneDragon's site, and it's not a long time ! i think i will call myself a guitar player in a couple of years or more http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wink.gif)
Many thanx 2 all of you that are helping me with the only way i can really feel good and express myself : PLAYING GUITAR !!!