Types of Slides

Lesson 2/37 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Slide Guitar

Types of Slides

There are several types of slides which can be used for slide guitar. The slide you decide to use can be dependent upon the type of guitar you use and how it is set up. Only by experimenting with different combinations will you find a slide and guitar action you are happy with.

All slides should have a smooth surface for a clean sustaining sound from the string as well as ease of sliding. The slide must have the correct inside diameter so it is not too tight or too loose on the little finger. The slide must be long enough to cover the width of the strings and the thickness of the material will affect the sustain of the note.

If a slide is too thin you may find it will produce a weak, tinny sound but if the walls of the slide are too thick, it may be too heavy and difficult to control.

Slides can be purchased at most music stores but if you have trouble finding a slide you are happy with, I suggest trying a store which sells steel or brass tubing. A short length of steel or brass tubing once polished will provide an adequate slide.

The Metal Slide

Metal Slide

The Glass Slide

Glass Slide

The glass slide is the softest and smoothest sounding slide. Though it can be used in blues or rock, you may find it is more useful in a lighter style of music.

The Brass Slide

Brass Slide

The tone of the brass slide can be described as somewhere between the metal and the glass slide. Once again the thickness of the walls will affect the sound.

Profile

Class Sessions

1- SECTION FOUR - STANDARD TUNING SLIDE GUITAR 2- INTRODUCTION 3- Types of Slides 4- Open Tunings 5- Open G and A Tuning 6- Left Hand Technique 7- Fingerstyle Exercises 8- Right Hand Technique 9- Slide Scales 10- Open E and Open D Tuning 11- Basic Slide Exercises 12- Setting up the Guitar 13- The Major Bar Chord - Open G/A 14- Chord Diagrams 15- The Major Bar Chord - Open E/D 16- Standard Tuning Slide Scale 17- Open G or Open A Tuning Slide Scale 18- Notation 19- Slide Guitars 20- Slide Solo 21- Vibrato 22- Standard Tuning Exercises 23- Open G/A Tuning Scale Exercises 24- Music and Tablature Symbols 25- Slide Solo No. 1 26- Open E or Open D Tuning Slide Scale 27- Slide Solo No. 2 28- Open G or Open A Tuning Slide Scale - Open Position 29- Open E or Open D Exercises 30- Slide Solo No.4 31- Open E/D Tuning Slide Scale - Open Position 32- Open Position Slide Scale - Key of E 33- Slide Solo No. 3 34- Open G/A Tuning Slide Exercises - Open Position 35- Open Position Exercises 36- Standard Tuning Exercises - Open Position 37- Slide Solo No.5 - The Turnaround

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Types of Slides