Problem Bend

[Mateo150]

I have problems with string noise when I do bends on the high E string. These noises occur on the g-string. It was advised to me to use the tip of my index finger to help mute, this helped a bit, but I'm still having problems. What about unison bends, such as example 1 (in powertab). I usually have a fairly clean release, but sometimes the g string causes problems.

in example 2, I have some real problems doing that well. I've attached a sound file of that. If I try to do the 2 consecutive bends at the start of the phrase, the strings move under my fingers (I use supportive fingering bends) and when I go to do the release bend-pull off, the g-string makes noise. If I'm very cautious and really try to mute that g-string, my release bend and pull off has no definition and its a weird little sound that replaces the triplet, ruining the line.

If I really try to keep the strings from slipping under my fingers, the first 2 bends get blurred together and lose definintion, since the release of the first full bend mushes with the 2nd bend. Or, If I'm cautious about that, then the first bend doesn't reach full (as heard in the example).

Right now I use a palm muting to mute the g-string, but that still allows noise.

The part I'm haveing trouble with are the 2 fast full bends, then the release bend pull off... Its tough to execute the 2 full bends fast without noise, and leaving myself in good position in order to do the release/pull off with good sound.

In the sound file, The first 2 times I was trying to get the first 2 bends right, but if I do that, the rest of the phrase sucks because the strings are under my fingers. The last 3 times is trying to keep the strings from sliding under my fingers during the first 2 bends, but that makes a bad opening statement, weak. Not the 2 bends I want.

Any suggestions? Please try the phrase before posting advice, I need particulars please. Also, the more vibrato I put on, the harder it is to keep that g-string from making noise on the release.

[Mateo150]

I've found out what part of the problem was, those bends are more difficult at the higher registers (where they are also most effective IMO) because the guitar body is in the way. I can't palm the neck since the guitar body connects with the neck at that area. I was playing a little thing in D, and that same phrase was much easier to play when I was able to completely palm the neck.

Here's how it sounds at the 15th fret, still errors, weak vibrato, ill defined pull-off. But the string noise is much much less a problem, and not too noticible with other instruments around.

I still do have problems with the pull off, If I go for a fast release of the bend to build momentum for the pull off, I sound that damn g-string. I've kinda got into the habit of a slower release bend (because of this), but for that particular part of the phrase a fast release is what I want, but again, this sounds the g-string. anyone have a solution? And the first bend is still too long, it should be more staccato, but this leads to string noise....need help on that as well. (It should be like "wh whaaaaa...." not "whaaa whaaaaaa")

[Bizarro]

Hmmm... I don't have that problem, but I wonder if it might depend on where on your fingertip you fret the note. Sometimes I hit the G if my fingernails are too long and it makes noise, but that's a fairly obvious thing to diagnose and fix.

Good luck.

[Mateo150]

Well, I'll post an update for the search feature (as if anyone actually uses it to find answers to questions).

It was partly the neck radius... the Telecaster I was using has a 7.5 radius, mucho mucho convex. I've been playing on a 13.5 (nearly flat) radius guitar for the past couple days, and the string noise is MUCH much less a problem. Its also the fingering, If I really nail the bend, no noise, if I get it so-so, string noise sometimes happens.