Getting stuck inside a scale box is one of the most common frustrations that guitar players face.
Today, I’m sharing a simple method to break free - using a technique you already know: bending.
First, a quick note on bending. It’s a skill in itself, and in order for this technique to work you’ll need to be proficient at hitting a target note. Many players (and not just beginners) bend with no purpose. There’s no target note, which usually doesn’t sound good.
So, one additional benefit of this exercise is it will also help you develop a stronger ear, bend with a defined purpose, and play with more purpose. In turn, you’ll play more creative and interesting phrases than if you were to only run up and down scale shapes.
Here’s how it works.
Choose a note that you want to play, then slide back one or two frets, and bend to that target note.
Let’s say you want to play the G note on the 15th fret of the high E string. Instead of playing that, pluck the 14th fret instead and do a slow half bend to the G.
You’ll notice it instantly adds a sense of emotion to the playing. You can experiment with the nuances too - like changing the pace of the bend or throwing in some vibrato at the top.
Suggestion: One of my personal favourite ways to do this is with a short chromatic run. Let’s say your target note is on the 8th fret. On the same string, play fret 6, then 7, and bend up a half-step to the pitch of the 8th fret.
An alternative approach is to pre-bend. Sticking with the 8th fret, this time you’d bend the string up one or two semi-tones before you pluck it. Once plucked, bring the string down to the target note.
These are both simple ways to add more flavour to your playing and start to develop your own sound and identity. Practicing this lesson will also force you to become more familiar with different notes and how they sound in relation to each other.
Here’s a great video demonstration of this technique by one of my favourite YouTube channels, Robert Baker (and check out the rest of his video for more tips too):