I will also remind you of the VII note, where you have the VIIb note in the blues scale, but a VII note in the major scale and in the chords. You can drift from minor third to major third and back, and from minor seventh to major seventh. Without proper graphics, it is hard to illustrate string-bending. But the point is to push or pull the string across the fingerbord, and by that raise the pitch. You can bend the string up one half note, a whole note or even more.
Lighter strings make string-bending easier, but it is also a question of strength and technique.
Use your third finger, and support it with first and second finger. If you make a long stretch, you can push the string under adjacent strings, lifting them away with your left hand fingers. Listen to the effect of the blue-notes. Practice string bending in the box-positions. The 6th note is an effective note in an introduction.