Thanks BigonaBianchi for the detailed and useful post. My guitar is fitted with 10 gauge strings, I have tried 9’s before but they feel a bit too elastic for me, although admittedly they are slightly easier to bend. It is also learning how to bend the string at the correct speed or smoothness whilst moving up to the required tone. I think it is that and the culmination of the bend often not at the correct pitch when I reach what I think is the required pitch. It sounds a little like a strangled cat at times. I need to put more time into it, which is difficult as I have a young child. Also I tend to spend more time trying to play the rhythm parts of tracks as I find it easier. I think that the best way with this solo is to put the time in and try to nail it as good as I can. I am trying to learn this one as I read it was one of the easier ones, I also think it’s a really good one. I am sure that there are easier ones to learn though but that’s just a cop out.
glad to help mate..
you may want to try 9's jus tfor now (just be sure your guitar is set up correctly for any string guage change you make) but tens are ok, you'll just find it a little tougher to start with..
It is also learning how to bend the string at the correct speed or smoothness whilst moving up to the required tone. I think it is that and the culmination of the bend often not at the correct pitch when I reach what I think is the required pitch. It sounds a little like a strangled cat at times.
Ok..well that's totally normal for beginners..(some of mine still sound like strenagled cats on a bad day lol!)
Do this:
1) Be sure what the required ton e is. Hence your tutors idea was agood one. Play that note until you get it firmly in your head.
2) Unplug the guitar and play acoustically.
3) Tap your foot in time to the track...bet it's ...1 2 3 4 etc
4) In this (stairway) case the bend comes in on the 1 count and bends up to the 2 count and sustains for the 3 &4 counts. Try that timing and loop it around , play it over and over. So you are aiming to hit your target note on the 2.
5) you want a steady bend, the same speed throughout the bend. This is a timing thing as per 4) and also about the finger support/strength I mentioned in post above.
6) The strangled cat sound may be several things.
a) most likely, your fingers are weakening as the bend reaches its peak (lack of strength) and lifting off the string a little killing the note. You need to build finger strenght and push down a little harder to start with. Once you have that strength I will tell you to relax the fingers.
b) Your guitar is not set up right and the action is to low killing th enote as you bend because the string touches a higher fret. Raise the action, or/and check the neck relief (bend in the neck)..I can tell you how, if you like but for now dont touch anything to do with your truss rod.
c)your fingers are not forming what i call a hammer shape..i'e jus the tips of finger touching th estrings , no fleshy bits in contact (imagine how the hammers inside a paino hit the strings..just the hammer tips, that is how your fingers should fret). If the underside (fleshy parts) of your fingers lay across strings they will kill the notes)
Practice jus tthis one bend until it is correct. Do it very slowly and dont rush. GET IT RIGHT before you speed up. Then play that bend on every fret position UP along the neck as far as you can. And then play it back DOWN again.
Are you using a plectrum? If not then your right hand may be killing notes as well causing cat effects. Plectrum technique is important in getting clean notes.
..ok
