Slide Guitar

[Andrew Lamprecht]

I've always liked when those old classic rock/blues guys used slides, like Ritchie Blackmore, Rory Gallagher, Tommy Bolin, etc.

I'd like to incorporate slide guitar into my playing.

Are there any good books on the subject or sites or whatever? I just need somewhere to start.

Thanks Andrew

 

[jeremy]

Re: Slide Guitar

buy a slide and the allman brothers fillmore east album. it really comes down to intonation and muting. there have been a few good threads on slide here. do a search and see what you find

 

[alba44]

Re: Slide Guitar

I've always liked when those old classic rock/blues guys used slides, like Ritchie Blackmore, Rory Gallagher, Tommy Bolin, etc.

I'd like to incorporate slide guitar into my playing.

Are there any good books on the subject or sites or whatever? I just need somewhere to start.

Thanks Andrew

Here you go: http://www.learningguitarnow.com/slide-guitar-dvd-1234.shtml?awt_l=MvFvF&awt_m=1Zi4fMI1G5tGX9

 

[firebirdV]

Re: Slide Guitar

Tabs are an easy way to start, but I wouldn't pay too much attention to them.

I suggest that you find a song that you want to learn, maybe look up a tab to figure out the tuning and the licks or positions that you will be using out and then try to figure the rest of the song out by listening.

I have never learned a complete song from a tab. I tend to use tabs to get my footing and nothing more.

I found this site about eight years ago, when I first started slide. Although it seems to be mostly acoustic, it may help you as well.

http://www.slidingzone.de/

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Slide Guitar

Thanks all you guys!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Slide Guitar

buy a slide and the allman brothers fillmore east album. it really comes down to intonation and muting. there have been a few good threads on slide here. do a search and see what you find

Might as well aim high. Duane was about as good as it gets.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Slide Guitar

he was certainly the first to do what he did, basically redefined how electric slide was played. crazy that he only played slide for a handful of years before he died at 24

 

[Wattage]

Re: Slide Guitar

listen to foghat and raging slab and muddy

 

[Bludave]

Re: Slide Guitar

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 fro 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. Ten 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 Porclean slide and I like to wear it on my ring finger. Ry Cooder cuts his own slides form bottles of "Fighting Cock Kentuky Burbon" 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 lessonn or 2, watch the DVD and you should be going in the right direction.

Oh yeah.... Practice....... a lot!!

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Slide Guitar

I took a very simple approach to learning slide... buy a slide, string the guitar with some heavier strings (I use 11's v my normal 9's) open tune to G with the action up a bit and mess about on a three chord trick.
I should really practice more and learn some proper stuff but keeping it simple and effective is sometimes the best route.

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Slide Guitar

An example of my simple style

In the right place