Bend control on the guitar involves manipulating the pitch of a note by physically bending the string. This technique is a crucial aspect of expressive and emotive guitar playing. Here are the basic mechanics of bend control:

1. Finger Placement:

- Choose the finger that feels most comfortable for the specific bend. Commonly, the ring finger is used for bending, but players may also use the middle or index finger.

- Place the fingertip on the string, and ensure that the pressure is applied vertically to avoid unintentional muting of adjacent strings.

2. String Gripping:

- Use the pad or side of your fingertip to grip the string firmly. The strength of your grip will influence the ease with which you can bend the string.

3. Supporting Fingers:

- Use supporting fingers behind the bending finger to provide stability and additional strength. This is especially important during whole-step or two-step bends, where more force is required.

5. Thumb Position:

- Keep your thumb positioned correctly on the back of the guitar neck. A thumb that's too high or low can affect the ease of bending. The thumb should be approximately centered on the back of the neck.

6. Wrist Movement:

- Engage your wrist in the bending motion. A controlled movement from the wrist helps distribute the force evenly, providing better control over the pitch.

7. Gradual Bend:

- Start the bend gradually, especially for slower, expressive bends. This ensures a smooth and controlled increase in pitch.

8. Pitch Accuracy:

- Develop a keen ear for pitch accuracy. Use reference notes (such as adjacent fretted notes or another instrument) to gauge the pitch of the bent note.

Regular practice and experimentation with different bends will help you develop muscle memory and fine-tune your control over pitch variations. As you progress, you'll find that bend control will start to become a thoughtless process.