Right Hand Technique
There are many variables to consider when developing a right hand technique for slide guitar. There is firstly the style you are playing, and whether you are using an electric or an acoustic guitar. We shall discuss some common differences with right hand technique, and only by experimenting will you find a right hand style you are comfortable with.
Pick
Hold pick with thumb and first finger.
The traditional picking grip is holding the pick with the thumb and the last joint of the first finger. There are variations on this grip but I recommend trying this method as it will prove more efficient in most applications.
There are basically two right hand positions when using the pick. The first position is closing the fingers into the hand, and the second position is opening the hand across the face of the guitar. With the second position, the fourth finger can be braced on the guitar to help secure the right hand. Once again try both positions and decide which you are happy with.
Position 1
Position 2
Fingerstyle
Basic right hand position.
Fingerstyle guitar is mainly used by the traditional acoustic and dobro players, but can still be used in electric blues and rock styles. There are many variations on the position of the right hand, especially with allocating the fingers to the strings, but the basic rule to begin with is using the thumb for the three bass strings and the fingers for the three treble strings.
Alternative right hand position.
Sometimes though, you may find it more convenient to use the right hand thumb on a treble string, or use the right hand fingers on a bass string. Many electric blues and rock players use the thumb on the third string quite often, leaving the index and middle fingers in position to play the first and second strings.
Right Hand Damping
One of the most difficult things to control with the right hand is the use of damping. Right hand damping is an essential part of obtaining a clean and separated sound.
Every time you move from one fret to another, it is necessary to dampen the strings by resting the right hand on the strings to deaden any unwanted slide noises.
For example, if you slide from the tenth fret on the first string to the twelfth fret and you wish to move back to the tenth fret, it will be necessary to rest your right hand on the string before you move the slide back.
The letter "D" will represent a right hand damp. Whenever you see this symbol, the string or strings you have just played must be dampened by resting your pick or right hand on the string.
In the first exercise a note is played on the tenth fret before sliding to the twelfth fret. Rest the pick on the string before moving the slide back to the tenth fret where the final note is played.
Damping with the pick.
When using a fingerstyle it is still necessary to deaden the string when changing the position of the slide. To dampen with the right hand, rest the finger on the string which played the previous note. For example, in the following exercise the second string is played with the first finger, before sliding to the twelfth fret. After this note has sounded rest the first finger on the string before moving back to the tenth fret.
Damping with the Fingers.
Sometimes it is more convenient to dampen with the right hand thumb, especially when the bass strings are being played or the lick is moving from a low string to a higher string. The following exercise uses a damp with the thumb.
