The Slide
A common technique used in many styles of guitar playing is the slide. There are two basic types of slides, one involves an extra grace note with no written time of its own (a quick slide) and the other is a valued slide, in which the first note is held before sliding to the second note. A slide may be ascending or descending.
The Ascending Slide
An ascending slide is executed by starting at a note below the one you are aiming for and then sliding up to the desired note. Often the slide begins from two frets below. The ascending slide is indicated by a diagonal line below the note, accompanied by the symbol "S".
Place third finger on 5th fret, fourth string.
Slide to 7th fret immediately after first note is picked.
The Descending Slide
A descending slide starts above the desired note and slides down to it. The descending slide is indicated by a diagonal line above the note, accompanied by the symbol "S".
Place third finger on 7th fret, fourth string.
Slide to 5th fret immediately after first note is picked.
The Valued Slide
Instead of sliding immediately to a note, it is possible to hold the first note for a specific time value before sliding to another note. This is called a valued slide. It is indicated by a line connecting the two notes, and the symbol "S".
This example demonstrates the difference between valued slides and grace note slides.
Here is a Blues lick which makes use of slides. You can also try experimenting with slides to any of the notes in the pentatonic scale to create your own licks.
