How to Use a Guitar Slide: Lesson with Tab – Guitar Gear Finder

Guitar slides can transform your playing, adding a unique flair and expressiveness that's hard to achieve with just fingers. Whether you're into blues, rock, or even metal, the slide offers something different to your sound palette. Let's delve into the art of using a guitar slide, complete with tabs and tips to get you started on this rewarding journey.

Choosing Your Slide: Materials Matter

The first step in mastering slide guitar is picking the right slide. Slides come in various materials, each affecting your tone and feel. Glass slides, for example, produce a warm, smooth sound, perfect for blues and rock. Metal slides, on the other hand, offer a brighter, more cutting tone that can work well in heavier genres.

If you're a metalhead, consider a metal slide for its ability to cut through the mix. It's also worth experimenting with ceramic slides, which provide a balance between the warmth of glass and the brightness of metal. Remember, the slide you choose should feel comfortable on your finger and allow you to control it with ease. Try a few out at your local music store to see which feels right for you.

Setting Up Your Guitar for Slide Playing

Before you start sliding away, it's crucial to set up your guitar properly. A higher action can prevent the slide from hitting the frets, allowing for clean, buzz-free notes. If you're not comfortable adjusting your action, a trip to your local guitar tech might be in order.

Consider using heavier gauge strings as well. They provide more resistance, making it easier to control the slide and produce a fuller sound. Some players even dedicate a specific guitar for slide playing, ensuring it's always ready for those slippery sessions.

Basic Slide Technique: Getting Started

Now that you've got your slide and guitar set up, let's talk technique. The key to slide guitar is lightness of touch. You want the slide to glide over the strings, not press them down. This prevents unwanted noise and allows for smooth, flowing notes.

Start by placing the slide on your ring or pinky finger. This frees up your other fingers for fretting regular notes if needed. Rest the slide lightly on the strings, keeping it parallel to the frets. Practice moving up and down the neck, aiming for clean, clear notes. It might feel awkward at first, but with practice, you'll find your groove.

Developing Your Ear: Intonation is Everything

One of the biggest challenges with slide guitar is intonation. Unlike fretted notes, you have to rely on your ear to ensure you're hitting the right pitch. This requires a good sense of pitch and a lot of practice.

Try sliding into notes rather than landing directly on them. This helps develop your ear and makes it easier to correct any off-pitch notes. Use a tuner to check your intonation during practice sessions, and don't be afraid to make adjustments as needed.

Incorporating Slides into Metal Playing

While slides are often associated with blues and country, they can add a unique character to metal music as well. Think of Zakk Wylde's wild, screeching solos or the eerie atmospheres of doom metal. Slides can bring a vocal-like quality to your metal solos, adding a new dimension to your playing.

Experiment with using slides during solos or even rhythm parts. Try adding slides in between power chords or during transitions to create dynamic shifts. The key is to find what works for your style and sound.

Using Tabs to Learn Slide Licks

Tabs are an excellent way to learn slide guitar licks. They provide a visual representation of where to place the slide and how to move it across the strings. Start with simple licks to build your confidence and technique.

Here's a basic slide lick to get you started:

e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|--/12-----12--/14-----14--|
D|--------------------------|
A|--------------------------|
E|--------------------------|

In this lick, the slide moves from the 12th to the 14th fret on the G string. Focus on keeping the slide parallel to the frets and applying light pressure for a clean sound.

Creating Your Own Slide Riffs

Once you're comfortable with basic slide licks, it's time to create your own riffs. Start by incorporating slides into simple scales or chord progressions. Experiment with different slide lengths and speeds to discover new sounds.

For example, try sliding into the root note of a power chord or adding slides between scale notes. This can add a new layer of expression and creativity to your playing. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and push the boundaries of what's possible with a slide.

Exploring Advanced Techniques

As you become more confident with slide guitar, you can start exploring advanced techniques. Vibrato, for instance, can add an extra level of expression to your playing. To perform vibrato with a slide, move the slide back and forth quickly over the fret, keeping it parallel to the strings.

Another advanced technique is using the slide in combination with traditional fretting. This can create interesting textures and sounds, especially in solos. Practice switching between slide and fretted notes to expand your musical vocabulary.

Final Thoughts

Using a guitar slide opens up a world of creative possibilities. From subtle bluesy licks to screaming metal solos, the slide can add a unique voice to your guitar playing. As with any skill, practice is key, so keep experimenting and having fun with it. If you're looking for more in-depth lessons on slide guitar and other techniques, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the best metal guitarists, helping you take your playing to the next level.