Got_tone?
New member
I bought one from here: Coricidin glass slide. I'm new to this so anything will help. 
Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
- Thread starter Got_tone?
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ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
There is nothing special about a glass slide that doesn't apply to any slide, in terms of playing technique. You might need to apply a bit more pressure if you're used to big brass slides, but other than that it's the same.
Or are you asking for tips about slide playing in general?
There is nothing special about a glass slide that doesn't apply to any slide, in terms of playing technique. You might need to apply a bit more pressure if you're used to big brass slides, but other than that it's the same.
Or are you asking for tips about slide playing in general?
Laughing Kookaburra
Active member
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
If you mean is there a different technique required than w/a metal slide, I would say no. I use a glass style slide for electric these days because I like the slightly smoother sound, although I've used brass slides for electric in the past.
As far as basic technique goes, there are others that can better explain that. I seem to use what many would call a sloppy technique, although it seems to work fine for me.
If you mean is there a different technique required than w/a metal slide, I would say no. I use a glass style slide for electric these days because I like the slightly smoother sound, although I've used brass slides for electric in the past.
As far as basic technique goes, there are others that can better explain that. I seem to use what many would call a sloppy technique, although it seems to work fine for me.
Got_tone?
New member
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
Yeah, I was referring to technique but any tips will do!
+1 This will make practice more interesting. :cool2:
Thanks guys.
Yeah, I was referring to technique but any tips will do!
+1 This will make practice more interesting. :cool2:
Thanks guys.
Bludave
New member
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
Use the search function on this forum. There are many threads related to playing slide. This is a post I copied that I made in one of the other threads.
Do yourself a favor and go buy one of Warren Haynes DVD's. It will really get you going in the right direction. The other option is seek out a good slide player locally and take a few lessons. I took 4 lessons from a local slide player and he completely changed the way I used my right hand. It was an adjustment, but now I play everything much better because I can control my strings better. Listening to great players is also helpful as many here have already suggested, but the technique is also important.... and there is not just one style. Many slide players retune the guitar to either open G, D, A, or E. There are also others. Slide has a lot more to do with the picking hand then the fretting hand IMHO. I rarely play slide with a pick. I actually do more muting with my right hand fingers then I do with the fingers behind the slide, although they(the fingers behind the slide) are equally important in controlling your notes. Then you have to consider if you want a guitar devoted to slide(a good choice IMHO) this way you set it up to accommodate slide playing easier. Most slide players use heavier strings because you are not going to be doing a lot of bending. Most slide players like the strings higher off the fret board because you don't want the slide to bang into the frets. Then you have to consider what finger you wear the slide on & remember there are no fast rules what works for some else may not work for you. I like a glass or Porcelain slide and I like to wear it on my ring finger. Ry Cooder cuts his own slides form bottles of "Fighting Cock Kentucky Bourbon" He says they have a very distinct seam that he like to use when he needs it and he wears his slide on the pinky. That makes the most sense because it frees up all the other fingers so you can fret behind the slide. For me; the slide on my pinky puts my hand at an awkward angle. So as I said there really are no rules. Dave hole plays slide "OVER THE TOP" and wears the slide on his index finger!! All different techniques and they all work. Its all about what gives you the sound and the comfort that you need.
But we all have to start somewhere. I would advise to go buy a Dunlop Glass slide with a thick wall. The thicker the wall of the slide the better. Then just experiment a bit. Take a lesson or 2, watch the DVD and you should be going in the right direction.
Oh yeah.... Practice....... a lot!!
here is the original thread.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=188798&highlight=Slide
Use the search function on this forum. There are many threads related to playing slide. This is a post I copied that I made in one of the other threads.
Do yourself a favor and go buy one of Warren Haynes DVD's. It will really get you going in the right direction. The other option is seek out a good slide player locally and take a few lessons. I took 4 lessons from a local slide player and he completely changed the way I used my right hand. It was an adjustment, but now I play everything much better because I can control my strings better. Listening to great players is also helpful as many here have already suggested, but the technique is also important.... and there is not just one style. Many slide players retune the guitar to either open G, D, A, or E. There are also others. Slide has a lot more to do with the picking hand then the fretting hand IMHO. I rarely play slide with a pick. I actually do more muting with my right hand fingers then I do with the fingers behind the slide, although they(the fingers behind the slide) are equally important in controlling your notes. Then you have to consider if you want a guitar devoted to slide(a good choice IMHO) this way you set it up to accommodate slide playing easier. Most slide players use heavier strings because you are not going to be doing a lot of bending. Most slide players like the strings higher off the fret board because you don't want the slide to bang into the frets. Then you have to consider what finger you wear the slide on & remember there are no fast rules what works for some else may not work for you. I like a glass or Porcelain slide and I like to wear it on my ring finger. Ry Cooder cuts his own slides form bottles of "Fighting Cock Kentucky Bourbon" He says they have a very distinct seam that he like to use when he needs it and he wears his slide on the pinky. That makes the most sense because it frees up all the other fingers so you can fret behind the slide. For me; the slide on my pinky puts my hand at an awkward angle. So as I said there really are no rules. Dave hole plays slide "OVER THE TOP" and wears the slide on his index finger!! All different techniques and they all work. Its all about what gives you the sound and the comfort that you need.
But we all have to start somewhere. I would advise to go buy a Dunlop Glass slide with a thick wall. The thicker the wall of the slide the better. Then just experiment a bit. Take a lesson or 2, watch the DVD and you should be going in the right direction.
Oh yeah.... Practice....... a lot!!
here is the original thread.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=188798&highlight=Slide
Last edited:
bungalowbill
Luckybastidologist
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
Don't drop it on a concrete floor.... I have experience with this...don't do it!
Don't drop it on a concrete floor.... I have experience with this...don't do it!
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
That's not really what I asked. Are you looking for tips on playing with a GLASS slide specifically, or are you looking on tips for playing with ANY slide?
That's not really what I asked. Are you looking for tips on playing with a GLASS slide specifically, or are you looking on tips for playing with ANY slide?
D
DLT
Guest
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
I got a hold of some originals not too long ago and sold them on ebay. They bring good money.
I bought one from here: Coricidin glass slide. I'm new to this so anything will help.
I got a hold of some originals not too long ago and sold them on ebay. They bring good money.
Got_tone?
New member
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
:doh:
+1 I'll try not to.
Great tip.
Sorry about that, any slide. Depending on how this turns out, I'll go buy other slides to see what works best for me.
Many thanks guys.
:doh:
+1 I'll try not to.
Great tip.
Sorry about that, any slide. Depending on how this turns out, I'll go buy other slides to see what works best for me.
Many thanks guys.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
Alright, here are a few thoughts I have:
- Your action should be set a bit on the high side, but it doesn't have to be sky high. Some people have a guitar they use just for slide, and they set the action super high. I use the same guitars for slide and standard playing, but my action is a bit high. If you have your action set shredder low, slide is not going to work.
- Flatter fretboard radiuses work best for slide.
- Thicker, heavier slides are always best, regardless of material.
- Choose your slide based on what the song calls for. Glass slides are mellow, brass slides are bold and bright, and ceramic is somewhere between the two.
- The two biggest challenges for playing slide are intonation and pressure. Both of these require lots of practice to get right.
Alright, here are a few thoughts I have:
- Your action should be set a bit on the high side, but it doesn't have to be sky high. Some people have a guitar they use just for slide, and they set the action super high. I use the same guitars for slide and standard playing, but my action is a bit high. If you have your action set shredder low, slide is not going to work.
- Flatter fretboard radiuses work best for slide.
- Thicker, heavier slides are always best, regardless of material.
- Choose your slide based on what the song calls for. Glass slides are mellow, brass slides are bold and bright, and ceramic is somewhere between the two.
- The two biggest challenges for playing slide are intonation and pressure. Both of these require lots of practice to get right.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
Light touch and work on your damping and vibrato...metal slides are easy to get sustain because a) it's metal on metal and b) they have more weight...
Glass can be hard to get a good sound from IMHO...that said I love the tone of glass for most things.
Also, be warned...those glass bottle style slides can build up heat inside, cause sweat and then when you try to go back to playing w/o the slide you'll tear your finger tip all up...just a warning...
Light touch and work on your damping and vibrato...metal slides are easy to get sustain because a) it's metal on metal and b) they have more weight...
Glass can be hard to get a good sound from IMHO...that said I love the tone of glass for most things.
Also, be warned...those glass bottle style slides can build up heat inside, cause sweat and then when you try to go back to playing w/o the slide you'll tear your finger tip all up...just a warning...
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Any advice for playing with a glass slide?
True. I'm using my glass slide almost exclusively these days because I love the tone, but when I was new at slide playing I had the most success with a big brass slide.
I still use the brass slide for some songs where I have a big, raunchy part. Glass sounds really nice, but it can't do the dirty, nasty slide tone very well.
True. I'm using my glass slide almost exclusively these days because I love the tone, but when I was new at slide playing I had the most success with a big brass slide.
I still use the brass slide for some songs where I have a big, raunchy part. Glass sounds really nice, but it can't do the dirty, nasty slide tone very well.
