Get Faster On Guitar While Developing Expressive Bending Technique That Makes Your Playing Stand Out

Getting faster on guitar isn’t just about raw speed – it’s how you use your speed together with other elements of your playing in music. This is the key to transforming technical skills into powerful tools for self-expression.

 

Using speed together with bending technique on guitar opens the door to a whole new level of expression in your guitar soloing.

 

While playing fast guitar notes helps you build tension and anticipation (for whoever is listening), bending releases that tension in a way that feels emotionally impactful. Mastering the combination of these two things sets you apart as a great lead guitarist versus just another fast player.

 

Here are some cool ways to make your lead guitar playing stand out and improve your ability to play faster by combining both elements together:

Jump Into Fast Guitar Runs Creatively Using Cool Pre-Bending Technique

 

An intense and creative way to begin any fast guitar phrase is by starting with a pre-bent note, then releasing it and going directly into a fast legato run.

 

Play the lick below by:

 

  1. Bending the first note up a full step, then releasing it back down.
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  3. Playing the remaining notes quickly.
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Sustaining the last note using vibrato technique for extra expression.

Bending Guitar Scale Lick

Make sure to bend the first note completely up to the target pitch (on the 10th fret) and return in back to the pitch of the 8th fret. This keeps the bend in tune under control.

 

Practice this phrasing idea by:

 

  • Creating your own variations of the lick above. Begin each one with a bend as shown, the explode into a flurry of fast notes. Try to think of 20 variations in 5 minutes. This helps you play better and more creative guitar solos in no time.
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  • Using different types of bends. For example: pre-bending the string before striking it, playing the bend several times before playing the rest of the lick or bending at varying speeds.
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  • Playing the fast part of the guitar lick using picking, legato or a combination of both.
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  • Using double stops or unison bends in place of the single note bend. For example: playing the 8th fret on the B string and 7th fret on the G string, then bending the 7th fret or playing the 5th fret on the B string and 7th fret on the G string.
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Note: It’s a common misconception that using lighter strings makes fast guitar playing easier. However, using lighter strings does make it easier to bend. Experiment with different string gauges until you find the right fit for you.

 

Practicing this helps you play guitar faster while integrating speed into your phrasing so you learn to utilize your skills musically.

Make Fast Guitar Playing Sound Incredibly Intense & Exciting With Tremolo Picked Bends

 

Bending a note creates A LOT of anticipation in the listener. You raise this anticipation to a whole new level (making any note sound incredibly intense) by tremolo picking the string while bending up to the desired note.

 

Perform this by simply choosing a note and tremolo picking it while slowly bending the string all the way up to the target note, like this:

Bent Guitar Note

This is a great way add speed and intensity to the beginning or ending of a phrase/solo.

 

Note that you don’t have to tremolo pick at your top speed for the entire bend! You add even more intensity to the note by gradually increasing the speed of your tremolo picking as the bend gets closer to the target pitch.

Play Bends That Demand Attention Using Perfectly-Timed Vibrato

 

Excellent vibrato is the sign of a killer guitar player. Adding vibrato to a bent note at just the right moment sounds amazing and demands attention from anyone listening. The perfect time to add vibrato is at the exact moment you reach the target note.

 

This video shows you the exact timing of when to add vibrato to a bent note:

Now practice adding it yourself.

 

Tremolo pick any note while bending it up like in the previous section.

 

Just as you arrive at the target note, strike the string and add heavy vibrato.

Bent Guitar Note With Vibrato

For added intensity, use gradually increasing speed in your tremolo picking. Then, just when you arrive to the target pitch, stop playing and mute the strings for one second. Then play the target note (by just fretting it as usual) and add the vibrato.

 

This is a killer way to both play guitar fast, add anticipation for the listener and hit them with tons of drama with one killer note!

 

Practicing all 3 points of this article helps you seamlessly integrate bending technique into your guitar playing. The result is cool guitar solos that are faster, more intense and more creative than ever.

 

Want to learn more ways to make your lead guitar playing sound amazing? Get expert advice to help you play guitar fast and creative using these free guitar soloing tips.