Slide In Standard Tuning

[YeahDoIt]

I don't usually play slide in standard tuning. Normally I use open tuning for slide. I discovered yesterday that if I play minor chords then I can play slide on the top three strings in minor key or pentatonic scale notes.

You might try it for yourself. Play Am chord a few times, then place the slide at the fifth fret - the top three strings are part of an Am chord there anyway, find some of the notes that harmonize, go to the g on the first string third fret, try the c note at the 8th fret.

Then play a Dm chord a few times, then move the slide to the 10th fret and find the notes there.

Then play a Em chord a few times, then move the slide to the 12th fret and find the notes there.

With practice I was able to put together a sad little blues song in a minor key with sad slide melodies.

If anyone is interested I could make a example mp3 recording of the technique and post the link to a file sharing site.

[Phoenix59]

Yeah, that's a common way of playing slide in open tuning -- the top three strings form a minor chord, i.e. Am at the 5th fret, Bm at the 6th, Em at the 12th, etc.

The second, third and fourth strings make a major chord -- A at the 2nd fret, C at the 5th, D at the 7th, E at the 9th, etc.

[S. Rock]

Originally Posted by Phoenix59

The second, third and fourth strings make a major chord -- A at the 2nd fret, C at the 5th, D at the 7th, E at the 9th, etc.

the same strings are a part of the open G tuning, too. when tuning to open G, those strings are left as is. i.e. 4th - D, 3rd - G, and 2nd - B. just another way to help wrap your mind around it.

[YeahDoIt]

I sometimes down tune the first string from E to D and play the top four strings as open G tuning. It is a small change and works pretty well. I fantasize about getting a couple more guitars and leave them in open tunings.

I am resisting the urge to get more guitars. I already have four.

I made my guitar slide from a piece of a beach umbrella recovered from a garbage can. Cut it down to size with a hacksaw. Polished the edges on the sidewalk and with a rock. Seems to work OK.

[dman]

There's a whole lot you can do playing slide in standard. That's the only way I play slide anymore. Check out Warren Haynes' dvd on blues and slide guitar...that guy has really mastered slide in standard!

[S. Rock]

Originally Posted by YeahDoIt

I sometimes down tune the first string from E to D and play the top four strings as open G tuning. It is a small change and works pretty well. I fantasize about getting a couple more guitars and leave them in open tunings.

I am resisting the urge to get more guitars. I already have four.

I made my guitar slide from a piece of a beach umbrella recovered from a garbage can. Cut it down to size with a hacksaw. Polished the edges on the sidewalk and with a rock. Seems to work OK.

hey, great idea on the tuning. I hadn't thought of that. it would be quick and easy.

only 4 guitars ??? don't tell my wife that. I've got 6 and I'm looking at getting a couple of more.

I have a friend in Austin that went to a special presentation and realized that he forgot his slide. so, he used the top of a lipstick tube that his wife handed to him to use. of course, the song was one of his that he'd been playing for 30 years.