Bending Notes

[Mr. Loar]

Are there any string brands that I can get that will make it easier for me to bend notes? What might they be?

[Keith Wallen]

Usually the smaller the guage the easier it is to bend. And then for the wound strings I like to use the silk because it sounds a little smoother when bending but that is just personal pref.

[foldedpath]

Just go as light as you can in string gauge, without losing decent tone. I don't bend strings on my mandolin because I like the tone of strings that are too heavy to bend easily. I just substitute slides where I'd use a bend on guitar.

I do sometimes bend strings on my 4 string acoustic-electric mandola, where I'm not fighting double course strings. The slightly longer scale probably helps there too.

[AlanN]

True, I suppose, that lighter gauge strings are easier to bend, but listen to a guy like Alan Bibey, the late John Duffey or Tim O'Brien. They bend often, and I know that Alan uses the J-74 type string. There's a knack to do it, and once you get it, it's easy.

[lenf12]

Grisman uses string bending to get a very nice vibrato effect. It's quite clear on a number of cuts from "Tone Poems". It's pretty subtle, not like bending a note a couple of half tones on electric guitar. Far as I know, he uses fairly heavy strings on his mandolins (J-74's?). If you're looking for string bending that's more guitaristic, go with lighter strings as recommended and consider using a 4or 5 string elelctric mandolin. Single strings are much easier on the fingers.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Timbofood]

I bend whatever's on the instrument, Lighter gauges bend more easily but, It's not like I'm trying to get a 2 note stretch out of them. J-75 are on right now and they are a bit stiff but, again, how far do you want to bend?

[Jkf_Alone]

I've never been able to apply bends of more than 1/2 step with mandolin, as it whacks the unison strings out of tune. The most I'll do is pull a note a little sharp and release it back, or maybe a little vibrato to extend a note a bit. To be honest I don't miss bends, and can do most of what I want to do with slides. :mandosmiley: . I couldn't imagine changing strings for one effect, although I did switch back to round wounds so pull offs and hammer ons would be easier. I do miss slides on flats though.

[jim simpson]

I like to bend the note at the end of a some solos (for comic effect), usually something fast, like "Rawhide"

[mandroid]

After 20 years of playing, wear in frets under the plain strings, they don't bend so well ,
uphill from those notches.

[mandolooter]

Yep, Im a chronic bender and can attest to the fact that anything more than a tad will result in one of the strings sounding outta tune. I bend up on all but the G which I bend down. For me its something I mostly do without thinking "bend those notes". How to make it easier...hummm...keep at it I guess. Lights are easier but its not by much and easier to over do it also.