Brian May and the POWER of the PREBEND!

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Prebending is a vital technique to add into your lead playing, no matter your skill level of genre of choice! But there's more than meets the ear as to why its such a great technique, and players like Brian May of Queen, Slash from Guns and Roses, and Francis Bubbletrousers himself all know why. And now, so can you! I'm gonna show you 3 reasons you need to prebend, plus how to practice them for maximum impact! Lets go!
gear:
Suhr Modern T
Pepers Pedals Dirty Tree
Morgan AC Synergy module
Marshall JCM800 power section
UA OX

[@BenEller]

Thanks for learning about Brian May’s powerful prebends! Snag my transcription of the Bohemian Rhapsody solo plus that bonus video about sharp versus flat here: www.patreon.com/posts/84539943? *I made the TAB based on performances of Brian through the years. The positions are more accurate than what I’m showing in this video!

[@mindofmatter071]

@user-os1gu5qb3c 🤣

[@dwightdeon2421]

I had a few beers with Brian May about 15 years ago. (Well, i had the beer. i think he was sipping on wine) He was a perfect english gentleman. just a lovely man. That day i got to watch him and Roger Taylor play a rehearsal runthrough of bohemian rhapsody with the cast of "We will Rock You", which was the Queen based musical they created when it opened in Toronto. highlight of my life was seeing him play that solo, 10 feet from where i was sitting. It was unbelievable. I'll never forget that day

[@kane6529]

Brian May is notoriously famous for not drinking 🫠 could’ve been his twin brother

[@dwightdeon2421]

@@kane6529 You're probably right, hence the "i think he was sipping on wine". I was unsure. Might have been Perrier, or grape juice, for all i remember. he had a wine/stemmed glass in his hand, that's all i can recall.

[@johnnylayton1672]

I think Brian May's vibrato is platinum level because he wasn't just a great singer in his own right but a great singer in a band filled with great singers. It's simply impossible to not be influenced and informed by that IMHO.

[@TheSultan69]

I wonder if Marty Friedman took inspiration from Brian May with his “prebend, unbend instantly, immediately rebend” wicked technique 😅

[@patrickbarnes9343]

Marty got his bending style from Uli

[@TheSultan69]

@@patrickbarnes9343 i'm dumb and haven't heard of him ever somehow.. can you point to a solo or song that showcases this? it's my favorite kind of bend

[@patrickbarnes9343]

@@TheSultan69 listen to the Night the master comes by Uli Roth

[@carlosflores-mo5iz]

I demand more Brian May solo lessons uncle Ben!

[@steviepickleoh]

“Yingyang Valvoline” made me laugh like an idiot 😂

[@tulk3747]

It can't be unsaid. . . its out of the bottle. . and the world is now a better place for it.

[@HannahCope88]

Me too haha 😂

[@SteveBello]

My dad called him Ringworm Valvestem

[@PDXguitarfreak]

If you ever decide to sell that T, please keep me in mind! 😍

[@LocrianDorian]

I overuse prebends sometimes, and I'm fairly sure it was because of learning Brian May solos. Such an iconic guitarist. Great video as usual, uncle Ben!

[@ottototo8]

Just noticed Ben could do a very convincing Tim Pierce impersonation. Grey goatee. Ball cap.

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

Yeah we gotta see this.

[@anish3183]

Your dissections of techniques are so well explained, as always! Keep up the good work, Ben.

[@DJForestpath]

I’m still working on your stuff from 8 years ago, so this is a collective two thumb hand fingers up! I’m a month into a challenge where every morning I watch and carefully apply whatever is in a random video of yours, and my playing is now so objectively & noticeably better that my wife just said, “Wow…how did you do THAT?!?!” So of course I came clean and told her it was just something old Francis Bubbletrousers showed me way back whenever. 😬 (hey - Fluff her! She’s got yoga & cooking - the guitar is MINE!!). Love you man! My gratitude overfloweth.

[@samsonthecurrent]

I've been playing guitar for three decades and you brought up two things I've never thought of & I've never heard anyone talk about...AND you did it while giving the best lesson of one of the best solos. #WellDoneAsUsual

[@TomNomNomDotCom]

My favourite Brian May solo is one that I don't hear mentioned super often: Chinese Torture. The whole thing is a guitar solo! Before I knew what a harmonizer was I could not figure out what the hell that sound was!

[@dee8263]

You made me realize why I like THE bend/vibrato in Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” solo. It makes the guitar sing

[@3carlosprieto7]

Same here @LocrianDorian, I didn’t even realise my prebends might have come from pure ear osmosis. Brian May, what an inspiringly influential guitarist. Thanks for another great vid Uncle Ben, and great T-shirt for a great album ❤ my #1 from The Clash

[@JasonMcNamara]

5:14 “That’s what sets us apart from those animals know as Keyboard Players” 😂😂😂

[@voronOsphere]

Anything Brian May is awesome!!!! Thanks, Uncle Ben!

[@chrisstephenson3695]

I really loved Brian's guitar playing on the Flash Gordon soundtrack! Maybe you could visit that sometime?

[@HannahCope88]

Love this. Awesome vid as always Ben. This is definitely one of the solos I must learn.

[@austinmidwest7062]

i like that you always show some love for Francis Bubbletrousers. i feel he is often forgoten

[@thomasrobertson4213]

Can someone explain the reference please?

[@austinmidwest7062]

@@thomasrobertson4213 it not really a reference anything, just a running joke. just a name that's thrown out anytime he starts to list musicians for something

[@ethanreed5815]

For me the top 5 Brian May solos are Dead on Time, Hammer to Fall, I Want it All, The Show Must Go On, and Gimme the Prize.

[@eyeonit469]

Agree but if I want a good cry I have to add Bijou to the list.

[@mindofmatter071]

Love that shirt Unk! And as always great context with prebends...Brian May is way underrated

[@timsaliba5169]

Great video. I always learn something from your work. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@DannyGomez]

… superb !! Great playing as usual.

[@donald-parker]

You could do a multi-series analysis of Sir Dr. Bri's style. The pre-bend is a tiny part. His pinch harmonics (think solo in the extended version of Hammer To Fall where he shifts into the key of B or his work on I'm In Love With My Car). Although his sound and style is as different as night and day with EVH they both played pretty free and loose with timing on their solos (and locked into the rhythm like crazy). He was very good at using dynamics to evoke moods (like the end few bars of BoRhap). His emulation of horns and cellos (think Good Company or the studio version of Love Of My Life). And more .... But this was a good start 😎

[@Redspeciality]

My favorite BM solo, which was more of a stand alone song, was one which is on the Live Killers album in the middle of Brighton Rock, where he uses 2 delays

[@chrishandley]

I've been playing that solo for years and never really noticed the pre bends! But they're there, I've got cloth ears it seems! Something to note about string tension apparently Brian's guitar has a 24" scale length, like a Strat tuned to Eb but with a capo on the first fret. I imagine he was thinking amongst other things about Hendrix's tuning and feel when he designed the guitar? And Yngwie tunes down like Jimi too... Just a thought.

[@blakegilliam8223]

Brian May, Queen, and the only Band that matters, can't beat that on any level!!

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

EXCELLENT...as always!

[@sheriewart8100]

As always another great video, thanks uncle.

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Absolutely beautiful and the tone that Mr. May has perfected is beyond words. Great lesson and playing Uncle Ben!

[@Redspeciality]

Actually it’s Dr. May

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

@@Redspeciality Yes, you are correct 🙂

[@dusty3913]

It must be super difficult to hit those pre-bends cleanly when playing those 100 mph riffs that Flimflam Butterbeer plays.

[@antonstyles6881]

seriously great lesson, brother...!

[@randallhaney7909]

Thanks for the needed help Boss, My "pre-Bends" ? .. are more like the "bends" a SCUBA diver gets when he rises to the surface too fast. Signed: Badly Bent.

[@deltalegendsguitaramplific5450]

Thanks Uncle Ben !

[@patandmacmusic]

Another excellent lesson

[@patrickbarnes9343]

Fabulous lesson

[@billbryan9990]

Always dug on pre bends and want to get to where I use them more intuitively and frequently.

[@aries_9130]

That trampoline analogy blew my freaking mind. I never thought about it that way.

[@cyface]

Great video!

[@eigengrau1]

Very important Video/Lesson: Imho these prebends in solos are like salt in your soup; They spice everything up, give a more decent taste.. and.. Okay obviously I'm hungry. Nevermind and thanks Uncle Ben..!

[@user-rp8ex2kg4s]

Ben, let's do a video on everything going on because I want it all!😂

[@aragon18k]

It's SIR BRIAN MAY to you to play on your Suhr , good day, uh, "sir".

[@BenEller]

Ha! I blew it!

[@HenryMittnacht]

There´s a Star Licks video by Larry Carlton where he recons about pre bending an releasing the note while he heard an aeroplane passing by. That´s where I stumbled across that technique

[@mikaelstrom1114]

Always inspiring videos, thanks. Bend over just got a new meaning 🤭

[@ryanforresterrenaissancesa4204]

I've learned a number of Brian May solos and for sure the bends are key!

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

Great video, my Uncle! I feel that string bending is the red-headed stepchild of guitar lessons -- teachers don't teach it much. You did great here explaining a lot of questions -- why sharp bends only and not flat bends! String tension! Uncles have wisdom. To add-- while practicing this, one may need to spend a lot of time building better callouses. If your fingers are getting sore, then your brain's pain-response is going to stop you from freely bending. Be careful not to hurt yourself though as this can take along time, like months even if you are a fairly experienced guitar player. Listen to players like Brian may and Brandon Ellis until your fingers can punch through drywall by themselves and you are there.

[@joeywilder9708]

Queen is my favorite classic rock band. I’ve always loved Brian May’s tone and style of playing. He’s such a legend!

[@allboutthemojo]

Cool lesson 👌 would be great to see some Slash and Gibbons on the channel

[@wheelchairtestdummy3059]

Thanks Unc

[@sotirios6882]

"London Calling"? LOL 😆 Great vid dude. 👌

[@SonOvLaw]

Seriously though, I'm very interested in the music of this Francis Bubbletrousers person, where can I find his music?

[@BenEller]

It can be found as a whisper on every breeze!

[@ferginatorr]

The concept of sharp vs flat vibrato blew my mind 🫡 🤯

[@pyratoothNL]

Interesting what you say about using the "vibrato bar" (because that is what it is, and not "tremelo"!), Hank Marvin of the Shadows, used the whammy all the time and if I'm correct thicker gauge strings. So this would give you more tension and flat vibrato, which I think is what gives him his trademark sound.

[@billbryan9990]

Killer axe bro

[@LeeMcDaidDonegal]

0:46 All Of Them!

[@ryanhass8716]

I struggle with adding bends and pre bends to my playing for a few reasons. I like the way thicker strings feel for my picking hand (thinner strings feel like they travel with the pick through more of the stroke before snapping away and ringing out than thicker/higher tension strings), I often (though not always, of course) like the sound of a slide more in situations where I have the choice between the two, and my vibrato is abysmal when using them--it sounds so off lol I ended up just adjusting my playing around it, but you have a point about them spicing up one's playing. Guess I'll just add it to the massive list of things to practice lol.

[@commanderebony]

Hey i love tiny tim!

[@MackAxyzz]

very cool man...i want my face on a milk carton ha!

[@MrKakashi402]

Hey Uncle Ben! Love your videos! ive decided to get serious about guitar playing but as you said i suck at guitar :( i want to start cleaning up my technique but i dont know where to start. any recommendations?

[@deadhands1981]

8:45 Thought he'll segue to farewell ballad.

[@TimACroninMusic]

I do love me some Francis Bubbletrousers.

[@spoonerluv]

On top of not being Brian May, I guess I realize why my Bohemian Rhapsody solo attempts never sounded quite right. I don't think I ever used a single pre-bend lol.

[@billnyfeler]

Great vid - thanks! But pre-bends aren't just for flat vibrato. They are for the most natural sounding vibrato of all, which is flat-and-sharp vibrato. That is what we have come to expect from hearing most other non-stringed instruments and vocalists.

[@eriktorsteinhansen]

Francis Bubbletrousers sure knows how to rock.

[@brianbrian1769]

Took a whole day for Mr/Mrs YoutUBe to alert me to this. Timing.

[@ErebosTerror]

We need an Uncle Ben for Bass.

[@BenEller]

I am the uncle Ben for bass! I play bass as much as guitar. I just haven’t done enough videos showing it.

[@BillHesse]

Did Uncle Ben just assume my royalty??!! 😂

[@joaquinguerra7217]

More videos of solo lessons 😊

[@impoopnrightnow906]

*UNCLE BEN!*

[@BenEller]

HI!

[@ClassicPass_]

The local college men's basketball team says the "Pre Bend" is my step mom Becky's goto technique ...😅

[@brianbrian1769]

Try the Shear Heart Attack solo. It's crazy feedback I think may have been played with a hearing aid. For real.

[@greggpbowlz]

Love this...

[@alexanderm6049]

I just have to ask, who on earth is Francis Bubbletrousers ?

[@samsonthecurrent]

Francis Bubbletrousers?

[@bobjones2041]

The only song I like of theirs is "Brighton Rock". To me, May's pre-bends sound like the strings saying "chuck" "chuck" or "gulp" gulp" before the note played, which is a habit Carlos Santana has down like nobody else. "But! But! Gulp! Chuck! You gulp! said you gulp! l-l-loved me! Chuck!"

[@takeawaybenji]

If you're pre-bending, but not releasing.... is this just a convenient way to hit notes without changing positions?

[@touchtennis]

“Actually that sounded kinda bluesy!” 😂

[@IconOfSin]

5:09 pitch wheel disagrees

[@forex922]

Brian May in June

[@congoose100]

🤯

[@AdityaMukundan]

Who’s bubbletrousers ?

[@larsinthewoods]

Adrian Smith calls it a "gogo bar".

[@nzajflynn]

Who the hell is Francis bubble trousers?

[@norseman61]

Has anyone told you you’re hilarious? If so, don’t believe them. Just kidding. Your subtle, dry humor is right on. Almost pre-bent, if you will. Great video, too!

[@theanarchistcook]

I think I remember him saying he can bend a string up as far as a fifth. He has his strings super slack and a huge neck on his guitar.

[@joshoptical]

Gilbert said it, if you’re not bending you might as well be playing a harpsichord. I wish I could play a harpsichord.

[@kevinreynolds1051]

Pretty sure I heard somewhere, “good” vibrato, goes slightly above and below a note. Only possible on a bent note or with a bar. I bet if you zoomed in on the great vibe players, eg Gilmour, that’s what’s going on.

[@BenEller]

Mmmm I disagree! Check out Marty Friedman of Yngwie. Sometimes their shake goes a m3 above pitch and it RULES!

[@kevinreynolds1051]

@@BenEller My apologies, the slightly aspect was misleading, my point is that the pitch goes above and below the note. Not the degree/amount that it does. Love your channel.

[@564df6g5h4d6f5g4h6d5]

I wonder if he developed that deal with a homemade guitar that would not intonate?

[@michaelstocklin9080]

i had way to much fun with Francis Bubbletrousers... The Album? Bubble Trouble... Francis Bubbletrousers and the Jesters.... The Bubbles Remain the Same.

[@JG-tr8ph]

Josh Homme uses those "letdowns" quite a bit, too. I think I heard him describe it as a "whimsical, kind of.. silly" sound. Guy's a douchebag, but he's pretty interesting to listen to, w/ guitar and music stuff.

[@JG-tr8ph]

Fascinating stuff in this video, too. I never really thought about the difference between sharp and flat vibrato. Great to keep in mind!~

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

Out of curiosity, and maybe you know the answer Uncle Ben, but Brian may what? Play guitar, I assume, but what else may he do? I may learn from your answer like I did from this video. Thanks!

[@dusanporobic4329]

Damn I thought that in vibrato bends we get both flat AND sharp vibrato

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Killer Queen is another good one

[@patrickbarnes9343]

Kirk Hammett mosquito vibrato 🤣🤣🤣

[@levis569]

Ying Yang Valvoline...

[@K.V.H.]

Yingyang Valvoline?! 😂🤣😂🤣

[@mr.ainwater1913]

Yin Yang Valvoline......lmao

[@DEZZA12]

Just delay the note my dude

[@tonyx2802]

I always cringe when I watch people play this solo. Here is no exception. Brian is a virtuouso. Learning the notes just doesnt hack it.

[@BenEller]

I wonder why you, like, keep watching people play it, then.