Scott Ainslie Guitar Workshop: Basic Slide Techniques

One of the dirty secrets about playing slide guitar is that the sounds you stop are going to define the sound you make.

In this workshop, I’ll present what I refer to as keys to the kingdom of slide guitar that I wish I’d known forty years ago. We’ll focus on understanding and establishing fundamental techniques that were and are used by great slide guitarists – from Robert Johnson to Sonny Landreth – to master the emotionally rich sound of the slide.

We’ll cover right and left hand muting techniques, guitar placement and posture, controlled slide movement, the trade-offs in guitar set-up and slide choices, getting a decent tone, and developing a nice vibrato as we establish basic control over the slide.

We’ll begin on one string in standard tuning and then move to other strings, and finally, open tunings. Before our time together is up you will have the tools you need to begin to take control of the slide and to play slide guitar.

REQUIREMENTS: This is a hands-on-the-guitar workshop. You will need a slide that is snug enough to remain on your little finger if you fall asleep in class. You may also bring a sound recording device. For thoughts about choosing a slide for acoustic guitar and some introductory handouts on slide guitar, check out the “For Guitarists” links at http://cattailmusic.com.