Some questions about slide playing.

[ledzepp29]

I've really been wanting to get into slide guitar, I saw Joe Bonamassa play and I was blown away. I might take a few lessons to get me going on it. Could someone recommend me some good slide players to listen to? I've been thinkin johnny winter, derek trucks, duane allman...any more? Also if anyone knows of any players who play in standard and not in an open tuning because thats what I would like to learn. And any web sites on learning slide, preferably in standard tuning. And what are some characteristics of a good slide guitar? some ideal slide guitars? Thanks doods

 

[Dave]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

Sonny Landreth-I've seen him slide a flying V, strat, LP-totally hot stuff.
Ry Cooder-mostly tele.
Chris Whitley.

I don't know what tunings they each use, but I usually use an open D. But I ain't on any recordings :smack:

 

[jeremy]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

those are all good players but all play in different tunings. warren haynes plays slide in open tuning, duane did sometimes as well.

as far as a good slide guitar, anything with heavy strings and high action will work.

 

[rhmcfarland]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

You could enter Warren Haynes on Google and see if you get any slide technique sites. I use standard tune a lot. I will hopefully be posting some new MP3's shortly, and I'll let you know.

If it helps...

I use a Tele and a Strat for slide.

Tele has Antiquity bridge, and Fralin Blues Special neck
Strat has 3 Antiquity Firebirds.

The strings are DR Tite Fit 13/16/18/26/36/46, and the action is medium high.
I usually use a coricidin bottle, but the Dunlop Metallic Mudslide was a nice discovery.

Muting is critical with standard tuning. The right hand has to be more involved in the playing since "wrong notes" are more frequent without it. Standard tuning is somewhat more like playing an open G, since the D, G, and B strings form an open G triad.

good players: Warren, Derek, Duane and Sonny. Johnny Winter, Billy Gibbons, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Bob Brozman, Lowell George, Keb Mo and going back further, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Furry Lewis...

check this out: http://www.mphase.com/planetd2.htm

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

Good plan! I've been meaning to learn slide for about 25 years now. :smack:

Rory Gallagher was another great slide player, and he certainly did it in standard tuning some of the time. I think he sometimes used open tunings, but other times he'd just grab the slide for a solo on his Strat when he was playing a song in standard tuning.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

+1 Warren Haynes. Check out his hotlicks videos Hotlicks Slide

 

[No effects]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

I've found open tunings to be the easiest way to learn as it places the core notes of the major chord (1st, 3rd and 5th) over a single fret and this makes it hard to play a wrong note. You'll notice that a lot the slide guitar riffs in blues and rock are based on the major pentatonic scale and not the minor pent. or blues scale. I've found that an open E tuning (same pattern as open D) is very good with 10-46 strings, because the strings are tighter, and tight strings are essential for slide playing IMO. As well, the open E tuning means that your root notes on the 1st and 6th strings stay in the same position, so it's easier on your brain too. I think Duane Allman used this tuning.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

Bob Brozman has a couple of killer instruction videos. I learned alot from them. He's one of the best in the world. I tend to play in open D, E, G or A myself....open tunings. Standard tunings make it hard to play chords with a slide. Duane played in open E alot. E or A are fine for light gauge electric guitar strings. For medium gauge strings on my acoustics I use D or G instead. Robert Johnson did alot in open G. Lew

 

[B2D]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

"Smokin' " Joe Bonamassa IS incredible, isn't he? I heard his new CD the other day and his playing is just mindblowing. When I heard his version of Recosider Baby i had to pick my jaw up off the floor SEVERAL times LOL.

Also check out Eric Sardinas. I saw him open for Steve Vai and he's got a pretty ferocious sound, too. Reminiscent of George Thorogood but with more dirt and energy.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

I've really been wanting to get into slide guitar, I saw Joe Bonamassa play and I was blown away. I might take a few lessons to get me going on it. Could someone recommend me some good slide players to listen to? I've been thinkin johnny winter, derek trucks, duane allman...any more? Also if anyone knows of any players who play in standard and not in an open tuning because thats what I would like to learn. And any web sites on learning slide, preferably in standard tuning. And what are some characteristics of a good slide guitar? some ideal slide guitars? Thanks doods

Slide guitar is a very specialized approach to playing guitar. Most slide players do play in open tunings. Usually open "D" and Open "G". Standard tuning is also used but to a much lesser degree. The primary players that played in standard tuning are Warren Haynes, Muddy Waters, and Duane Allman. Duane played in every other tuning as well. Sonny Landreth is a real good player. He is currently playing with John Hyatt. Another great slide player is Leroy Parnell. A country rock type of player. Bonnie Rait is a great player also. Another good player is Nancy Cashdollar (I am not sure if her first name is Nancy or Cindy) My favorite slide player is Ry Cooder. I believe he raised the bar a few notches.
As far as slide guitars go you can really use any guitar that has good sustain. Les Pauls, Strats, Teles,Sg Etc. My preference is an old Harmony I just got not to long ago. Raise the action up a little or a lot depending on how you want to play and go!. I use heavy strings (12's) and I tune to either Open "D" or open "G". Depending on the piece I am playing. I also prefer to raise the action up high enough to where the slide does not make contact with the fingerboard, yet is still low enough to fret when I want to.
Try these tunings: Open D: (6) D (5) A (4) D (3) F# (2) A (1) D

Open G: (6) D (5) G (4) D (3) G (2) B (1) D
As far as learning, get a few Videos. Arlen Roth's videos are real good, so are Bob Brozmans, and Warren Haynes. Here are a few websites that you can investigate also. Good Luck. Dave
http://www.mphase.com/planetd2.htm
http://www.radioyur.com/sgsl1.html

 

[RockNRoling]

Re: Some questions about slide playing.

I think one of the most underated slide players is Ryan Newel from Sister Hazel. Down load some of these songs below and enjoy. He plays his guitar in standard tuning, and his solos are not your standard blues licks that everyone has stolen from one another.

Just Remember
Hopeless
Your Winter

I also love the slide work in Mountains Win Again by Blues Traveler.