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  #1  
Old 06-19-2017, 07:35 AM
Scoggs Scoggs is offline
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Default Slide Guitar Beginner (tunings?)

I've been playing for 12 years and I've messed around with the occasional beer bottle... But now I've purchase an actual slide and I'm jumping into it for the first time. I'm somewhat surprised how easy it has been to pick up, especially in open tunings.

My questions is what tunings should I work on first and is there one that bridges over well into other tunings? I assume each has their place, but could you master one tuning and just stick with that, or with slide you are constantly changing? Are licks similar between tunings, or completely different? I've started in Open E. I've seen some stuff I like in Drop D that's interesting (high and low e dropped.) Open C looks awesome, but I don't really want to put on super high tension strings to compensate. Looking for any and all advice to help me with the process. Thanks in advance!
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Old 06-19-2017, 07:56 AM
FrankHudson FrankHudson is offline
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I'm a sloppy slide player who still can't get away from it because I love the sound so much. There's lots of techniques and tunings, but yes, I'd guess many would learn best to pick a tuning and to concentrate on that one first.

Open E and Open G are related, so you can easily use the licks in one on the other. A capo is another way to vary the sound without keeping the string to string relationships common. Open G also works well for non-slide riff playing (think Keith Richards).
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Old 06-19-2017, 08:41 AM
Scoggs Scoggs is offline
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Thanks for the info! I'll look into open G. If Keith can do it with 5 strings, it should be a breeze haha. As far as the capo, I assume you can capo into the key of what song you are playing.
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Old 06-19-2017, 08:46 AM
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Open G is definitely the joint. And once you learn it, you can play any riff you know just as easily in open D. Just move one string over.
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Old 06-19-2017, 09:00 AM
MC5C MC5C is offline
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I play a variation of low G (as compared to high G Dobro tuning). I play EGDGBD. You get all of your Keith Richards licks on the upper five strings, major chords based on root on the 5th string and you get m7 chords based on the root on the 6th string.
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Old 06-19-2017, 09:39 AM
clintj clintj is offline
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I started in standard, since I already had a good handle on the scales and positions in that. Now it's about 50/50 between open D and G, and I still play some standard to stay current in it.

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Old 06-19-2017, 10:49 AM
blue blue is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clintj View Post
Now it's about 50/50 between open D and G, and I still play some standard to stay current in it.

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Smart move. I didn't, and now other than first string, am pretty much lost.
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Old 06-19-2017, 11:16 AM
Scoggs Scoggs is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clintj View Post
I started in standard, since I already had a good handle on the scales and positions in that. Now it's about 50/50 between open D and G, and I still play some standard to stay current in it.

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Do you play with the slide on your pinky and use fretting in your playing? This is something i'd like to incorporate as I get better.
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Old 06-19-2017, 11:29 AM
clintj clintj is offline
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I use the slide on my pinky, but the whole fretting with the other fingers idea still is still really lacking. I think it's that I use that finger for so many of the chords I play it makes for a big adjustment to have to not use it. I usually just set the slide on top of my amp when not using it for a song.

I do use a heavy walled chrome slide so I can play cleanly with my standard action and 10 gauge strings, though. The mass lets me just barely press on the strings and have them ring out nicely.

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Old 06-19-2017, 03:12 PM
roylor4 roylor4 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blue View Post
Open G is definitely the joint. And once you learn it, you can play any riff you know just as easily in open D. Just move one string over.
G for me too.

Reso and electric. Just fits my vocals well.
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  #11  
Old 06-20-2017, 12:16 PM
Scoggs Scoggs is offline
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Liking open G a lot. Thanks for all of the recommendations.

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Old 06-20-2017, 03:40 PM
Steel and wood Steel and wood is offline
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I'm not really a slide player.

Having said that, I do own a lap steel and with a metal slide and if I'm called to play it, then it's mostly to add a tasteful touch of colour over the top another guitarist in standard tuning.
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