Does String-Bending Have a Place?

[Jaml]

The technique of string-bending, which predominates in rock and blues guitar, is only found fairly recently in jazz.

Why do classic jazz players avoid string-bending?

Does string-bending have a place in serious jazz playing?

Does string-bending spoil good jazz improvising?

[Professor1]

Well, first of all, string bending is hard to do with heavy jazz strings. But I think it is a perfectly legitimate technique when used judiciously, tastefully, and knowledgeably. For some people that might be an insurmountable barrier. Also, many players rely speed to form the basis for their improvization, and string bending is generally slower, and covers less range.

[Jaml]

Would you recommend heavier strings [that are difficult to bend] for jazz?
Did jazz players use heavy strings because that's all there was in the past, or is there something about heavy strings that is better?
What gauges do you think best? .

[UnboundedSky]

I use flatwound 12's. The difference in sound is really astonishing.

-Bill

[tuneforaday]

This is an old thread, but I would like to say that if you're coming from a genre in which bendies maybe tend to get over/ab-used out of a lack of musical vocabulary, then the best thing is to forget about them completely for as long as it takes you to learn classical Jazz guitar technique.
There is definitely something better about non-light gauge strings. Your guitar resonates properly, and I personally have come to prefer the increased tactile feeback from their higher tension

edit - fwiw, if you slap on a medium gauge jazz set with a nice, fat wound third, you most likely won't feel inclined to bend so much, and you'll be forced to start looking for an alternative approach. Don't forget to adjust the truss rod

[Professor1]

I was just listening to Ray McKinley's version of You Came A Long Way From St. Louis, recorded on Dec. 31, 1947, and the guitar solo does, in fact, include a nice string bend. So, it is not something new at all, but I do still think the prevailing idea behind the use of it should be good taste.

[tuneforaday]

I’m not familiar with the McKinley solo and, of course, good taste is always the main concern.
My point was that if you’re coming from a Rock-Blues background, as I do, there’s probably a lot of unlearning to do before (re)approaching this particular technique.

[Professor1]

It all depends on what style of jazz you will be playing, and even sax players bend notes during solos. If you feel the urge to bend strings, it's OK. When the guys ask you not to come back, then you know you've crossed the line.

[pete]

Try listening to Django or Eddie Lang. There is a place for it, it just depends on "Your" taste of Jazz.

[dogletnoir]

Charlie Christian wasn't afraid to bend a note, either
& i don't think he could be accused of lacking taste.
Judicious use of any technique is really what it's about.
jazz is more about note selection than how you get there
IMO. Maybe you will become the first stringbending bebopper
in the history of the guitar if you work at it long enough...

[dogletnoir]

Oh yeah, bending is very hard w/ heavier gauge strings, which usually give a fuller tone.
I use 11s, 12s & even 13 as the high 'e' string... but i don't play a lot of fleet fingered solos...