| Slide guitar has been around for a while now, and its | | | | - Get cozy. And this means four things: |
| popularity is unlikely to wane! We have some tips for | | | | - Pick a good slide. Your slide should be the right size |
| you if you’re just beginning to play slide guitar. | | | | for you – just comfortable, not too tight and not too |
| It’s important for you to be comfortable – so find | | | | loose. |
| a good position, where you are relaxed. The slide you | | | | - Practice a relaxed position. Remember to find a |
| pick should be the right size for you – not too tight | | | | relaxed position to play slide – tension simply |
| or loose. To learn a Guitar Lesson , it’s a good idea | | | | won’t do. |
| to use a guitar setup with a slightly higher action – | | | | - Use a correct action. Use a guitar setup with slightly |
| this will help your sound. Also remember not to press | | | | higher action, so there is a lower chance of the slide |
| down too hard on the strings – a light touch will do. | | | | banging against the frets. Touch the strings lightly with |
| As for strings, you will find that thicker strings will sound | | | | the slide; don’t apply too much pressure. |
| better. When you begin playing, simply practice on the | | | | - Use strings you are comfortable with. Strings are |
| 5th fret of your first string. Vibrato is an important | | | | largely a matter of personal choice and comfort, so |
| technique for slide guitar – it can really help you | | | | find strings that work for you. In general, however, |
| personalize your sound! Finally, never underestimate | | | | thicker strings are recommended. It is much more |
| the value of practice – a good practice regimen is | | | | difficult to get a good sound with super-light strings. |
| all you’ll need for you to play like a pro. Make sure | | | | Start off with the first string. For the first week that |
| you listen to some of the greats of slide guitar often. | | | | you play slide guitar, play only on the first string of your |
| We are sure these beginners’ tips will help you – | | | | guitar. Position yourself at the 5th fret and slide back |
| good luck! | | | | and forth, aiming for a clean sound. |
| Tips to playing slide guitar | | | | Vibrato. This means quickly raising and lowering the |
| Slide guitar is one of the coolest styles around – | | | | pitch of a note in small portions. Vibrato is an important |
| everyone from Pink Floyd to BB King uses it. So what | | | | technique for slide guitar because it has the potential to |
| is it, exactly? Slide guitar refers to the practice of using | | | | really give your slide playing a nice personal touch – |
| a particular object to create a sliding motion against | | | | you can manipulate vibrato to create a specific mood. |
| the strings, as opposed to the common fretting motion. | | | | You can hear some trademark vibrato in the works of |
| The most common type of slide guitar is played using | | | | guitar greats such as BB King and Muddy Waters. |
| a bottleneck, and that is what we will be talking about | | | | When playing vibrato, keep a few things in mind. The |
| here. | | | | first string is the best place to learn vibrato. Position |
| Slides are available at most guitar shops, but you can | | | | your slide at the 5th fret, and rapidly move it on a note |
| create your own slide by cutting off the neck of a | | | | in a left-right movement. While doing this, remember to |
| bottle – the neck should be about the length of your | | | | keep your wrist very relaxed, to help you produce a |
| pinkie (little finger). You can use a glasscutter to cut the | | | | smooth, shimmering sound. |
| neck off (remember to wear protection goggles!). | | | | Practice. There are no shortcuts! Practice and practice |
| Then you should grind the edge smooth. Once | | | | till slide guitar comes as naturally to you as singing. |
| you’re done, try it on for size and get sliding! | | | | Don’t forget to listen to a lot of slide guitar music. |
| If you’re just starting out playing slide guitar, here | | | | Start off with these basics, and you’ll go far. Now |
| are our top tips for you. | | | | go pick up that bottleneck…and happy sliding! |