# Bends & vibrato

A bend pushes the string until it sounds a higher note; vibrato shakes a held note around its pitch. Both only count when they land in tune. Licks sit in the A minor pentatonic box at fret 5.

TAB: `8b10` = fret 8 bent to the pitch of fret 10 · `r` = release · `~` = vibrato.

1. **Hear the target first** — B string: play 10, then bend 8 to match. Three fingers push.
2. **Whole-step bend on G** — 7b9 (D to E). Thumb over the neck.
3. **Half-step bend** — B string 5b6 (E to F).
4. **Bend and release** — G string 7b9r7.
5. **Unison bend** — B string 5 held, G string 7 bent up to the same E.
6. **Vibrato** — pivot from the wrist, in time; B string 8.
7. **Bend, then vibrato at the top** — never shake below the target.
8. **A phrase** — e5 · B8 · B5 · G7b9r7 · D7~ . Then [Blues](blues.md).

## Ready when

- Whole-step bends on G and B match the target fret every check.
- Bend and release lands back on the fretted pitch.
- Vibrato stays even and in time for four beats.