Any tips on playing rock with a slide?

[treyhaislip]

I've been intrigued by rock guitar players who use a slide when playing guitars--more specifically the ones who alternate between fingers and slide. I bought a jetslide pack on eBay for a steel and brass (slide on a ring so you can quickly change between slide and finger) and I've had a straight glass slide that I've had forever. I have been able to gain some ground--but feel quite stuck. I've practiced scales slowly and then tried to gradually get faster--but it never really sounds good.

Anyone have any tips or advice? Thanks!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Any tips on playing rock with a slide?

Vibrato is key. Assertiveness helps. What tuning(s) are you using?

http://www.guitar.com/articles/sonny-landreth-tones-and-tuning

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Any tips on playing rock with a slide?

Vibrato is key. Assertiveness helps. What tuning(s) are you using?

http://www.guitar.com/articles/sonny-landreth-tones-and-tuning

I've only tried it in standard tuning, dropped D, and DADDAD tuning.

I know steelguitar players use a slide very well--do you mean vibrato kinda like when you bend the strings on a lead? I love the "sustain" sound of the slide with some nice gain--just very hard to play anything in tune. lol

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Any tips on playing rock with a slide?

The two main problems beginners have with slide:

- getting the intonation right
- getting the pressure on the strings right

You need to take time to focus on those two things before you do anything else.

First, experiment with pressure to find the sweet spot, then keep practising getting to that sweet spot until you can do it every time right away. Pick any note to do this. Just work at it until you get a full, sustaining note on every string.

Intonation is just as important, and takes a lot longer to get right. A well developed ear will go a long way here, but a good tool for beginners is to play scales with the tuner on. This will help you to match the note on the tuner and the note you're hearing with the slide's position. Practice scales slowly with the tuner, then turn it off and see if you can get the same results with you ears.

When, and only when, you've nailed down pressure and intonation, you can start working on speed. There is no point in learning to be quick if your fundamentals are wrong. Practice scales, but also practice some blues licks or even open tuned bar chords.

I would only worry about vibrato once you're rock solid on pressure and intonation, and your speed is up to a decent level.

 

[Securb]

Re: Any tips on playing rock with a slide?

Probably one of my favorite slide guitar songs.

 

[macki]

Re: Any tips on playing rock with a slide?

I am also just starting to learn slide. Been at it a couple of months now. I agree with all the above statements and particularly the intonation aspect. Do try different slides types and thickness just to see what you like. I am doing the Truefire Andy Aledort slide course - its pretty good. You basically learn different styles and tunings. I do quite like the open E tuning.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Any tips on playing rock with a slide?

The two main problems beginners have with slide:

- getting the intonation right
- getting the pressure on the strings right

You need to take time to focus on those two things before you do anything else.

First, experiment with pressure to find the sweet spot, then keep practising getting to that sweet spot until you can do it every time right away. Pick any note to do this. Just work at it until you get a full, sustaining note on every string.

Intonation is just as important, and takes a lot longer to get right. A well developed ear will go a long way here, but a good tool for beginners is to play scales with the tuner on. This will help you to match the note on the tuner and the note you're hearing with the slide's position. Practice scales slowly with the tuner, then turn it off and see if you can get the same results with you ears.

When, and only when, you've nailed down pressure and intonation, you can start working on speed. There is no point in learning to be quick if your fundamentals are wrong. Practice scales, but also practice some blues licks or even open tuned bar chords.

I would only worry about vibrato once you're rock solid on pressure and intonation, and your speed is up to a decent level.

Thank you for the help! I really appreciate that--the playing scales with a tuner is genius! Never thought of that! Thanks again!