Today I'm going back to basics. I love slide guitar, it's been a core part of my life for decades, and when I work with my students, I'm always interested in their ‘why’. What brings you to the guitar and to the slide technique?
The motivation to learn slide is different for everyone, and identifying what drives you to learn may help you to find the best ways of sticking to a practice schedule and exploring new techniques. Often, it is the soulful sound and the potential for expression that draw slide guitar lovers to learn.
Great reasons to learn slide:
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Emotional Expression
Slide guitar is more than just notes — it has a real sense of voice and emotion. A single note played with a slide can tell a story. If you're the kind of player who wants to focus on feel rather than speed, slide is incredibly rewarding. -
Unique Sound Palette
You instantly stand out when you bring slide into your playing. Even simple melodies sound soulful and compelling with the smooth, vocal-like tone of a slide. -
Expand Your Musical Horizons
Slide encourages you to think differently about melody and phrasing. It pushes you outside the conventional fretboard “box” and forces you to rely more on your ears.
It's probably not the style for those who value technical precision above all, but if you love the potential for interpretation and improvisation, it could be the perfect choice for you.
So how do I start?
Getting the basics right will make a big difference to your slide guitar journey, and here's how to get started:
- Choose Your Slide. Glass slides offer a smoother, warmer tone (think Duane Allman), while metal slides are brighter and more aggressive (think Elmore James). Ceramic slides offer a balance between the two, so it's a good idea to try a few to find what feels and sounds right to you.
- Guitar Setup. You can play slide on a regular guitar, but many players prefer a Higher action (string height) to prevent the slide from hitting frets. It is best to begin with Open tunings like Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D) or Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) for easier chordal and melodic playing.
- Finger Choice. Many players use the ring or pinky finger for the slide, leaving the other fingers free to fret notes normally. There’s no “correct” way — it’s all about comfort and control.
- Accessible Tuition. You can learn to play slide guitar confidently, within a short time frame, when you join my Slide Success programme. Slide Success: Foundations is a simple, accessible programme that will give you all the basics, and Slide Success will enable you to become a skilled slide guitarist within 90 days.
You can book your free one to one session today to get started with slide guitar: https://calendly.com/philliphenrymusic/slide-success-discovery-call