String bending on a strat.
 

I began learning string bending today and because of the curves radius of the fingerboard I am finding it hard to bend without getting the string higher than the one I am bending getting sort of stuck to my fingers. Any suggestions to improve my string bending?

Two fingers. Two. Use two.

I just have been using two like the book asks me to.

Hi Iron Horse. Do you know whether you have a vintage style 7.25" radius or a newer 9.5"? Also, is your action high?

I'm assuming you're trying to bend the high E/B/G strings?

multiple fingers. go under the string or strings you are bending towards. Radius doesn't matter in terms of the next string getting in your way. It does matter in how far you can bend before the string chokes off.

Yes those strings and I have a MIM strat whose radius I don't know.

I agree that radius really doesn't matter. The advice to use more than one finger is good. Also, don't forget that your picking hand can be useful in bending. Watch videos of accomplished players and you'll see that they often use their picking hand to mute and/or pull the adjacent strings--usually the string they're bending towards. This technique can help make the bend easier and better sounding.

Oh, and you can also bend *down*, depending on which string you're on and what effect you're trying to pull off.

Bending to the exact note you want is a real skill. Some people are natural "benders" and others (like me) have to work harder at it. Either way, you'll get there.

EDIT: Oh, you're bending on a STRAT! That adds some complexity. If your Strat has a floating bridge, then you'll need to bend a little farther to reach the note you want. With a floating bridge, the bridge will lift slightly in reaction to the increased string tension during the bend, forcing you to bend a little farther to counteract the bridge reaction. It's one of the common challenges for Strat players who like to "bend up" and hit a note on the next string, usually bending the third string up to hit a second-string note. Never seemed to bother David Gilmour, however.

If your action is too low you'll tend to do this, sort of getting tangled up in the string above, so experiment with that a bit. Mostly it's just practice. I suggest you focus on bending to the right pitch, and you'll find the mechanics sort of smooth themselves out. Oddly, I found that working on pre-bends improved my normal bending. I don't know why.

I think your action is off at the bridge. Take the guitar to a good Tech and get a good action adjustment.

I'm with terrapin on this. I learned from Dan Erlewine's book that blues players will run higher action to both allow getting under adjacent strings and bending further without fretting out. Helped me open up my Les to some wicked bending, and only took a little more than 1/64" more action height. I've always had to tweak MIM Fenders to suit my playing too.

Yep, there is a fine line between action high enough to get under adjacent strings without so much height that you fingers get tangled. A good Tech can make it right, and then just learn from that so you can do it yourself. Not saying your technique doesn't need work, but a good setup is the place to start.

Actually the action set up is perfect for me, feels terrific. I just started learning bends today.

It might be right for chords and single note lines, but not right for bends? Maybe not? Otherwise it is just practice, practice...

Okay might as well practise for a few days and then decide to lower the action.

Good plan!