slide guitar - a question to get started ...

[tone4days]

i am a total slide guitar newbie ... the context for my learning to play a little slide is cover tunes for a dance rock band ... not to become the next duane or even kirk l'orange

my first question has to do with knowing how to determine if the slide part for a given tune was originally performed in standard tuning or an open tuning (and if so, which open tuning) ... what is the best way to figure that out?

example - Eagles tune 'heartache tonight' ... chords are simple loosely based around a I - IV - V in G ...

will be grateful for any pointers as i dive in

thanks
t4d

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

if its I IV V in G then I would use open G. generally I just use the open tuning corresponding to the key.

 

[firebirdVII]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

Can't help you with the theory, but I have more experience on acoustic slide than on electric guitar (in terms of dynamics). Is the song acoustic?

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

if its I IV V in G then I would use open G. generally I just use the open tuning corresponding to the key.

Open E is an option too if you need to reach some notes below the tonic.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

I'd like to learn slide too but I know nothing about open tunings and such.

 

[firebirdVII]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

Ooh, maybe I'll record some basic stuff off of my acoustic guitar later. I can finally help someone... Maybe.

I'll see if I can get a little thing together for tomorrow but I don't know about the song you mentioned (can anyone tell me whether it's acoustic or electric?).

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

Ill explain open tunings as simlpe as I know just for those who dont know.

Open E=the notes of an E major chord(E G# B)
So the easiest way to do this is to tune the guitar like this
EBEG#Be
Same goes for other open tunings. Tuning the guitar to sound a chord with all the strings open with the least amount of tuning up or down from standard is the goal.

Hope that can help somebody!

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

I don't understand the reason for open tuning though? Why not use standard tuning? Are the notes in too small of an area on the fretboard and run together?

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

You guy better teach me how to play Statesboro blues by the tomorrow. lol jk thanks for the help

I am listening to some Allman Brothers right now, I never realized how awesome they were...I knew they were good, but they're amazing. This one tune "Instrumental Illness" has some of the greatest improvised guitar EVER.

 

[tone4days]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

'heartache tonight' is electric

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

I don't understand the reason for open tuning though? Why not use standard tuning? Are the notes in too small of an area on the fretboard and run together?

the reason for open tuning is for chords. without an open tuning playing chords with a slide would be a real beach lol also in an open tuning you might come up with something you wouldnt have in standard. gives you new ideas and expand and grow as a musician...IMO lol

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

Oh I see what you mean with chords. With standard tuning you only have 4ths to work with.

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

Oh I see what you mean with chords. With standard tuning you only have 4ths to work with.

also a lot of people dont like open tunings because they say you can only play the type of chord you are tuned to. but actually you can do for instance minor chords just by fretting the minor third one fret behind the slide. Im sure most of the slide players here know that though lol

 

[firebirdVII]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

the reason for open tuning is for chords. without an open tuning playing chords with a slide would be a real beach lol also in an open tuning you might come up with something you wouldnt have in standard. gives you new ideas and expand and grow as a musician...IMO lol

beotch not neach :laugh2:

You had me confused for about two seconds there.

General pointers (pretty basic):

Be aware of the strings behind the slide as well as in front. There will be overtones if you don't dampen strings behind the slide which may or may not be desireable.

Experiment with which finger you feel most comfortable with a slide on. The middle finger has some advantages over the pinky and vice versa. Overall, I've noticed that the middle finger allows one to play slide with the first knuckle bent which may be more to some peoples liking when compared to the pinky where you have to hold all of the fingers parallel which can result in slightly less finesse with the slide. I find fingering notes easier when the slide is on my pinky.

Experiment with different slide materials. I have many slides of many materials which all sound different.

I personally like having a slide where my pinky sticks out for acoustic stuff. For electric, where cords may be played more, a long one becomes useful.

I can't think of any more general pointers off the top of my head. Slide has a lot of dynamics that you have to take into consideration.

Good luck! I hope someone more experienced than me decides to post.

:dance:

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

beotch not neach :laugh2:

You had me confused for about two seconds there.

General pointers (pretty basic):

Be aware of the strings behind the slide as well as in front. There will be overtones if you don't dampen strings behind the slide which may or may not be desireable.

Experiment with which finger you feel most comfortable with a slide on. The middle finger has some advantages over the pinky and vice versa. Overall, I've noticed that the middle finger allows one to play slide with the first knuckle bent which may be more to some peoples liking when compared to the pinky where you have to hold all of the fingers parallel which can result in slightly less finesse with the slide. I find fingering notes easier when the slide is on my pinky.

Experiment with different slide materials. I have many slides of many materials which all sound different.

I personally like having a slide where my pinky sticks out for acoustic stuff. For electric, where cords may be played more, a long one becomes useful.

I can't think of any more general pointers off the top of my head. Slide has a lot of dynamics that you have to take into consideration.

Good luck! I hope someone more experienced than me decides to post.

:dance:

+1 I use the ring finger so that I can easily reach the notes behind the slide. also sometimes if im going to be playing some slide and also some regular ole fingertips in the same song then Ill use my pinky. Also more mass to a slide usually equals a bigger sound. Also make sure the slide fits snug enough so that you dont have to fight to keep it on while your playing. you dont want to go flying off lol

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

I have glass, brass, and steel slides. Seem to have lost my glass one though. I'm gonna go tune up real quick and try some slidin'.

 

[Truant]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

Open E is an option too if you need to reach some notes below the tonic.

Open D would work a bit better as open E would leave you with a G# in the key of G!

In general, tuning your guitar to be open to the V of your tune is good. For the above stated reasons, you can approach the tonic from both directions. Having it tuned to the open I chord would leave you playing alot of open and 12th fret which would severely limit your options.

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: slide guitar - a question to get started ...

Open D would work a bit better as open E would leave you with a G# in the key of G!

In general, tuning your guitar to be open to the V of your tune is good. For the above stated reasons, you can approach the tonic from both directions. Having it tuned to the open I chord would leave you playing alot of open and 12th fret which would severely limit your options.

thanks. that was what I was going for...looking back i dont know what the hell I was talking about with open E haha:smack: :laugh2: