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→Bend Speed/Timing
Once you feel confident, try the exercise in reverse. Bend the note to where you think you've hit bent a half, whole, or 1 1/2 steps, then play the fretted note that corresponds to that pitch to make sure it's correct.
===Bend Control - Speed/Timing===The other important thing about a bend is the degree of control you have over the bend speed and timing. A beginner will usually start the bend immediately, and proceed quickly to the target pitch. The bend isn't interesting at all - it sounds not much different than a slide or hammer-on. Good technique knows how to play with the tension and excitement of a bend - how long to sustain before bending, how quickly to bend, whether the bend should start slow and ramp up or start fast and slow down. See this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpctDVWC0Pw slowed down Another Brick in the Wall solo] for a good example of bend control. The performer knows when to start bending, how quickly the bend should raise and lower pitch, and how long to sustain the bent note. 1 2 b--8------b10-- Here's a little 2-beat exercise to practice. The tab doesn't tell you exactly how to play this. If it's tab of an existing song, try listening to the song for guidance. But if you don't know, you get to interpret. Let's list how you could play this:* Sustain the initial G on the 8th fret until right before the 2nd beat. Quickly bend the note so you reach the A on the 2nd beat.* Start bending as soon as you hit the initial G. Bend up at a constant speed, reaching the A on the 2nd beat.* Start bending as soon as you hit the initial G, but start the bend very slow so you're not moving off the G but making it slightly sharp. Halfway through the beat start speeding up the bend, reaching the A on the 2nd beat.* Start bending as soon as you hit the initial G, but start the bend very slow so you're not moving off the G but making it slightly sharp. 3/4 through the beat start speeding up the bend heavily, reaching the A on the 2nd beat.* Start bending as soon as you hit the initial G, fast enough so that you'll get to the A about 3/4 way through the beat. Halfway through the beat start slowing down the bend, reaching the A on the 2nd beat.* Start bending as soon as you hit the initial G, fast enough so that you'll get to the A about 1/2 way through the beat. 1/4 way through the beat start slowing down the bend, reaching the A on the 2nd beat. Try all of those out. The key is to be able to bend slow and fast, and be able to change speed inside a single bend.
== Reverse Bends ==