Slide

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3 cent hero

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How the **** do you use these things? I got one, but am lost on the using it part :laugh2:
 
Re: Slide

When trying to play any notes, make sure you're directly over the fret instead of behind it like you normally would be. Mute the strings behind the slide as you play and have some fun with it :D
 
Re: Slide

there's a little more to it than a simple post might explain

tune to open G: DADGBD

I use the pinky for the slide

learn to damp the strings behind the slide with your first finger, until you're able to pick out single notes cleanly

however, start out picking chords - use the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 12th positions, then go from there

keep the side parallel to the frets
 
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Re: Slide

If you use it in standard E, you're just emulating the licks you normally play and the only 'double notes' you can grab are between the A/D, D/G, and B/E.
With Open D, E, or G, you can grab a lot more sweet spots. I've played slide for quite awhile, but two videos that were greatly helpful are Warren Haynes Electric Slide and Acoustic Slide.
 
Re: Slide

Curly said:
there's a little more to it than a simple post might explain

tune to open G: DADGBD

I use the pinky for the slide

learn to damp the strings behind the slide with your first finger, until you're able to pick out single notes cleanly

however, start out picking chords - use the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 12th positions, then go from there

keep the side parallel to the frets
I was using DADADD, I'll try open G. I use pinky too, my other fingers are too fat to fit :laugh2:
 
Re: Slide

Like the guys said: make sure the slide is directly over the fret because that slide is the FRET! Think of it as a movable fret that you slide up and down the tops of the strings.

Hear the notes you want to play in your head and make sure you're playing in tune.

Keep the slide parallel to the fingerboard. Don't angle it unless you're going for a certain effect or can't reach a note way up high without angling it.

And use all of your available fingers to damp the strings between the nut and slide so they don't ring and rattle...THAT'S SUPER IMPORTANT!
 
Re: Slide

open E is good (E-B-E-G#-B-E low to high). Duane used that a lot, and so does Derek.

standard tuning is great to use, but several of the slide cliche type licks have to be done with a little different technique since the slide has to cross a wider space on the fretboard.

For starters, I guess I'd go with open E. Get used to muting with the right hand, and getting your slide right over the fret, rather than behind it. HOWEVER, I think a lot of the slide mojo comes from the microtones of being slightly off of dead center. It makes it more vocal. Moreover, if you do standard tuning, then you can play behind the slide with your fingers, which adds to your versatility. ALSO, I tilit the slide to catch the B/D third (16th fret of G string & 15th fret of B string) if I'm playing in E. I'll also tilt it the other way to get the D-G# note combination (15th fret B string & 16th fret high E string) for another double stop that works well in E.

Bottom line, just stick with the basics, then experiment. Learn the conventions, then break all the rules.
 
Re: Slide

I agree. I suggest open E for beginners because it's so easy to play those Elmore James licks. Dust My Broom. After a guy gets his technique together, then moviing into open G or open A is easier.

Also: try to avoid the high E string sometimes and learn the notes on the other strings too! To many guys play everything on the B and E strings, but mostly the E.

Jerry Douglas actually removed the high string on his Dobro for a while just to force himself to learn how to get around on the remaining strings!

Lew
 
Re: Slide

Excellent point. Take the time to chart out the fretboard patterns with the guitar tuned to open E. Its not all that weird.

Personally, open A is easy to play, but very bright and penetrating. I think Lowell George used that one a lot. Great player.

Keep in mind that that greats like Duane, or maybe especially Duane, didn't play a lot of weird "out there" types of things. They were melodic and simple. THE MAIN POINT BEING THAT SLIDE IS MOSTLY ABOUT FEEL AND FINESSE. Let those notes kinda have a southern drawl and learn to use the microtones once you get your technique together. Make it vocal and that way you can take the audience along with you.
 
Re: Slide

rhmcfarland said:
Excellent point. Take the time to chart out the fretboard patterns with the guitar tuned to open E. Its not all that weird.

Personally, open A is easy to play, but very bright and penetrating.
What is open A?
 
Re: Slide

Open A tuning:

from the low E up to the high E

E-A-E-A-C#-E

same pattern as open G, just a step higher.
BTW, Billy Gibbons and Muddy Waters tuned to open G.

Its also interesting to note the different resonance each open tuning has. Open A is very tight, especially on a Fender, and has a bright and piercing type of tone. Sonny Landreth also used that one Natural World off of the album The Road We're On. Open G, which is the same pattern just one step lower, has a bit deeper more resonant quality to it.

Check out these links:

http://www.mphase.com/planetd2.htm
http://www.fenderplayersclub.com/pdfs/artist_lessons/duane_allman.pdf
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
http://www.derektrucks.com/
http://www.bobbrozman.com/
http://www.bogdoc.com/mukti/slide.htm
http://www.selftuning.com/index2.htm
http://www.moonshineslides.com/
http://www.therockslide.com/main.php
http://www.bigheartslide.com/
http://www.guitarseminars.com/
http://www.thegtw.com/
http://www.davidlindley.com/
http://www.wholenote.com/features/item.asp?i=1

You can also learn a lot from Bonnie Raitt. She's got an easy feel to her playing and great lyricism.
 
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Re: Slide

What some of the guys have said is good advice but the important thing is to trust your ears and not your eyes when playing slide. To often one of the major problems is that you will stop before the fret because that is what you have been used to doing and that is when you will have problems.- the middle or ring fingers can also be used but you should experiment and see which one offers you the better control.

If you are using your little finger you may not have the control that is necessary to keep the slide parallel to the strings. You will also find that your guitar will need to have a slightly higher action then you are used to and this may be slightly difficult if you have a strat or similar. But the best guitar to play slide is actually a crappy one with a high action that you tune and that way you will be able to get your technique going. Try all types of slides - glass, metal, ceramic etc until you find the one you like
 
Re: Slide

Make sure you're not pushing the string down like you normally would to fret a note. Instead, act as if your running a bottle over some natural harmonics.
 
Re: Slide

I use E and D mostly on my dobro, sometimes G [GBDGBD] which is the most common. For slide I mostly use E and G [DGDGDB]. I have a Hipshot on my lap steel so I've been messing around with a lot of tunings but mostly use E.
 
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