How to Use a Slide

fada

I recently bought a steal slide and was wondering the best technique to use.
Should I bar the whole fret when playing the bottom E string.

Rodders

I'm not so good with a slide, but I've got a little bit of experience. You can use it however you want, and there is quite a bit of scope.

I'm a hater of anything untidy, so I used to mute all the strings behind the slide with the sliding hand and use the picking hand to mute any strings that I didn't want to hear. That way you just get the string you pick and the note you pick.

However, you can leave the strings open behind the slide and get a much more jangly vibe....kinda rootsy blues maybe.

The other thing I found was that you have to develop a very gentle touch otherwise you can hear the slide hitting the fret wire. But not too gentle, otherwise you get buzz.

I think it was just too damn awkward for my perfectionist ideals. So it went in the kit bag and hasn't been out often.

leethal

It might seem obvious but not to some. Its important to know your open tunings. I really hate playing slide in standard.

DADF#AD - Open D
DGDGBD - Open G

That way u can play full chords with your slide

J.D.

Try using the neck pup and rolling back the tone a bit too.

I've never really got the hang of slide. I can hang with a twelve bar blues in open tuning, but my pitch for solos leaves something to be desired.

As with anything, practice, practice..........

FinsburyParkCarrots

http://www.bottleneckguitar.com/