SLIDE GUITAR BASICS

1 Wear your slide on your third finger

Use a different finger if you prefer, but the third finger is easiest to control and you can fret notes higher or lower than the slide if you need to.

2 Mute the strings for a cleaner sound

Tame excess string noise and make slide lines sound clear by keeping your first and second fingers in contact with the strings behind the slide.

3 Aim to play directly over the frets

Play in tune by positioning your slide directly over the frets, not above or below them where you usually place your fretting fingers.

4 Float with your slide... or don’t!

For a smooth, floating sound, rest the slide on the string without pressing down. For a more aggressive sound press down with your slide, Derek Trucks style.