How to Use a Slide

fada
fada Posts: 1,032
edited May 2006 in Musicians and Gearheads
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.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Rodders
    Rodders Posts: 20
    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
    leethal Posts: 134
    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.
    J.D. Posts: 73
    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
    FinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    http://www.bottleneckguitar.com/

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