Slides & Bends
Adding expression to every note
Slides
A slide (written as "/" for up or "\" for down in tab) means moving your finger along the string from one fret to another while maintaining pressure. The string keeps vibrating through the entire slide, creating a smooth pitch glide.
Slide up: 5/7 — fret 5, pick, slide your finger up to fret 7 while keeping pressure
Slide down: 7\5 — fret 7, pick, slide down to fret 5
Slides can be fast (almost instant pitch change) or slow (a noticeable glide). They're one of the most natural-sounding techniques and are used constantly in all styles.
Bends
String bending is where guitar becomes truly expressive. By pushing the string sideways (toward the ceiling or floor), you raise its pitch without changing frets. This mimics the human voice and is what gives blues and rock guitar its emotional power.
Half-step bend (1 semitone): push the string enough to raise the pitch by one fret
Full bend (2 semitones): push enough to raise by two frets — the most common bend
Quarter bend: a subtle push, doesn't reach a definite pitch, adds "attitude"
The target pitch matters: a full bend on fret 7 should reach the same pitch as fret 9. You need to train your ear to know when you've bent far enough.
Bending Technique
Bends use wrist rotation, not just finger strength. Think of turning a doorknob:
1. Plant your thumb firmly on the back of the neck
2. Support the bending finger with the fingers behind it (if bending with ring finger, reinforce with middle and index)
3. Rotate your wrist to push the string — your fingers barely move
4. Strings 1-3 push upward (toward ceiling); strings 4-6 push downward
Check your pitch: fret the target note (e.g., fret 9), listen to it, then go back to fret 7 and bend up until the pitch matches. This ear training is essential.
Tab Examples
Slide exercise
e--5/7---7/9---9/12---12\9---9\7---7\5--- B----------------------------------------- G----------------------------------------- D----------------------------------------- A----------------------------------------- E-----------------------------------------
Bending exercise (full bends)
e---------------------------- B--8b---10b---8b---10b------- G---------------------------- D---------------------------- A---------------------------- E----------------------------
Expressive blues lick with bends and slides
e------------------------------ B--8b--10--8---5/8---8b--5----- G------------------------------ D------------------------------ A------------------------------ E------------------------------
Tips
- Slides: maintain constant pressure throughout — too light and the note dies
- Bends: use your wrist, not just your finger. Support with additional fingers.
- Always check your bend pitch against the target fret
- Strings 1-3 bend upward, strings 4-6 bend downward (toward the edge of the neck)
- Our tab generator marks bends with "b" — now you know how to play them
Practice Exercises
- Practice slides between frets 5-7 on every string — smooth, even sound
- Bend fret 7 string 3 up a full step — check it matches fret 9
- Practice half-step bends on string 2 fret 8 — check against fret 9
- Play the blues lick slowly, focusing on hitting the correct bend pitch
- Use our tab generator with "Bends" and "Slides" enabled to get practice material