Want to know what a microtonal bend is?
A microtonal bend is when you bend to a note you CAN’T play on the fretboard. Anything lower than a half step bend is a microtonal bend.
For example, if I apply a microtonal bend to a C note – I’d achieve a note that sounds like it’s in-between C and C#.
You can think of these as 1/4 tone bends if you want to, but they can be even less than that.
Microtonal bends are commonly used in bluesy, minor pentatonic style playing.
They can be a great way to add soul, emotion and movement to your phrasing.