Slide
The slide is a guitar technique which involves playing a note, and sliding it up/down the neck to a different fret while applying constant pressure. For example, the below tab shows a slide from the 3rd fret to the 5th fret on the fourth string.
Basic Legato Slide Technique
e|--------------------------------------------
B|--------------------------------------------
G|--------------------------------------------
D|-----3/5------------------------------------
A|--------------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------
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1. Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret (D string) and pick the note.
2. Briefly slide your finger up to the 5th fret, continuing to apply pressure against the fretboard.
Ensure your 3rd finger slides from the 3rd fret, through the 4th fret and stopping at the 5th fret. The note on the 5th fret should be clearly ringing at the end if done correctly.
A legato slide means that you do not pick the second note (in this case 5th fret, 4th string). Simply pick the first note and slide it up to the 5th fret.
Slides can be played all over the neck and they are a useful technique for this reason. Unlike a bend, you can span a slide across as many notes as you like. They can even start from an open note as we are about to discover.
Reversed Legato Slide
You guessed it! this slide simply involved sliding the other way on a neck to decrease the tone. For this example we’ll play it higher up and a smaller interval. (remember slides can be played anywhere with any interval)
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B|-----12\11----------------------------------
G|--------------------------------------------
D|--------------------------------------------
A|--------------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------
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1. Place a finger on fret 12 of the B string and play the note.
2. Slide your finger from fret 12 to fret 11 with sufficient pressure.
It is a good idea to play wide wider intervals and use different fingers to perfect your technique.
Sliding From Open
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B|--------------------------------------------
G|--------------------------------------------
D|--------------------------------------------
A|-----/7-------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------
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When a “/” symbol followed by a fret number is displayed, this means you actually slide from an open note.
Note: some tabs on the internet will use this “/7″ for an undetermined note and may not always be slid from the open string, for example it could be from the 3rd or 4th fret.
1. Play the A (5th) string open (no fretted notes).
2. Use your preferred finger from your left hand to begin the slide by hammering it down on the 1st fret as you slide it up to the 7th fret.
If done correctly, the resonating string should continue resonating through to the end and the last note should still be ringing. As above, ensure sufficient pressure is applied throughout the slide.
As with all slides (and most other techniques), your fingering will depend on the notes before and after it.
For example, when playing the following slide, you would use your first finger so that your hand is in the correct position to play the following notes.
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B|--------------------------------------------
G|--------------------------------------------
D|-------------7-9-10-------------------------
A|-----/7-9-10--------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------
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However, If you were to play the SAME SLIDE with these following notes, you would probably use your 3rd finger for the slide.
e|--------------------------------------------
B|--------------------------------------------
G|--------------------------------------------
D|--------------------------------------------
A|-----/7-5-7---------------------------------
E|------------8-7-----------------------------
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With this concept in mind, I will show you a tab that will improve your sliding skills and learn to apply them to real situations.
Practice Exercise
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B|--------------------------------------------
G|--------------------------------------------
D|---------5---5/7-8--------------------------
A|-----5/7---7--------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------
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This is a relatively simple riff based in the D minor scale that involves different fingering for the two slides. Here’s how to play it.
1. Perform this simple slide from the 5th fret to the 7th fret of the 5th string.
As the following note is on the fifth fret, you will need to perform the slide with your 3rd finger. This will ensure that your 1st finger is in the correct position at the end of the slide.
2. Play the 5th fret of the 4th string.
3. Play the 7th fret of the 5th string.
4. Play the next slide of the riff. This time use your 1st finger to play the 5th fret of the 4th string and slide it up to the 7th fret.
5. Play the 8th fret of the 4th string.
You should be ending the riff with your 2nd finger if done correctly.