I wish I could have seen this video 55 years ago when I was 13 and started trying to play slide guitar. I experimented a lot. My big brother gave me some wine bottles that I used a glass cutter, boiling water, then a file to make some slides. I got a scrap piece of copper pipe from a construction site which is still one of my favorites to this day. Thanks for a very informative UA-cam post!
The key word you said, when dealing with the differences in materials being used for slide is, “polished” If they’re NOT polished, they sound drastically different
8:22 I think material is super important. Several of my guitars like different slide materials. My resonator sounds and plays great with brass while my early ‘60s Harmony archtop loves ceramic. It’s weird but that seems to be the case. My old Yamaha acoustic digs the glass. Of course some of this has to do with set up as well but I think different guitars often want different slide material.
Just purchased the course. Been following you keenly since Rhett Shull introduced you to us all. Big Allman Brothers band fan and saw Tedeschi Trucks last year live. Looking forward to starting the course. The standard tuning was a big selling point for me.
Being a pedant I'd say the length of the fretboard is from the nut to the bridge! I thought the metal slide had more 'weight' to the sound, I was quite surprised as I've used glass and metal interchangeably.
Favorite materials for slides; Ebony & Copper. My Billy Gibbons ceramic slide is also very boss. Even if the sound doesn't vary much (especially with Electric Guitar as opposed to Acoustic when it seems to matter more) the aesthetics of different materials factor in too.
I learned to play slide before Dwayne really, it was Johnny Winters who was first my biggest influence. He used a chrome steel slide which I started with and then I found that other materials excite the string more. For my ear the material that excites the string more has more sustain if you're holding one note/chord with vibrato, and not relying on gain. I agree that glass, brass and ceramic can all sound fantastic I'm no longer a fan of those silver shiny slides that Johnny Winter used. Also when I'm playing dobro or any kind of resonator I tend to use a pretty thick brass slide because it works with those acoustic strings for me much better and to my ear it sounds like it adds to the resonator sound, but that's just me. After Johnny Winter then my main influences were Duane Allman, Ry Cooder, Sonny Landreth (first guy I ever saw playing behind the slide) and then of course Derek Trucks is phenomenal, the accuracy of his travel is fantastic. Dylan is fantatic player and a fellow north Floridian. This was a video that will help many people!
Re light vs heavy slides, I find a lot depends on your strings. I need to press down harder on my strings with a light slide to get a good tone, and I use light strings, so fretting out is a problem. But a heavier slide requires a lot less downward pressure on the strings. It almost sounds contradictory, but a heavier slide allows a lighter touch. Maybe that's just me. BTW - I used 8's. I had to switch a few years ago to address some RSI issues with my fretting hand. It took a while, but I have no problem playing slide in standard tuning with 8s, and pretty reasonable action (around 2-3 mm at the 12th fret).
Great beginner advice. The Rock Slides have been my favorites for many years now. It's the little things they do that knock me out, like the indentation where it rests against the finger next to it. Super well thought out. I would disagree with you a little about material though. I can hear the difference on acoustics and find that one particular material works best with the particular guitar in hand. Electrics not so much. Keep up the good work!
"Using an ill-fitting or cumbersome slide impedes learning to play slide." Duh. That's like the difference in learning to cross pick using either a small "jazz pick" vs a standard size dinner plate. Or even a teacup saucer. Duh, yeah! I'd say it matters! Good for you for pointing out all these things! It's simply amazing, even mind-boggling, how so many ppl don't even think about these things! I like a ring slide, provided it's the right design. I used to play slide using a conventional "tube" design that fit over my pinky that I would stabilize with my ring finger. But I haven't played slide for years. Now I've gotten a ring slide that I can turn around so I can play with all 4 fingers. This one fits on my ring finger and is stabilized by my pinky. (There's a "flap" that I can press with my little finger to help stabilize it.) My plan is to adjust it until I get everything just right, so I can have the best control vs versatility to play a few strings with the slide (in standard tuning) or play with all 4 fingers. I'm just waiting until I feel inspired to play something with slide! It'll have to be for a few weeks, so I can practice things and adjust the bends in the ring as needed. It's all good! And...I like "close" action...but I don't want to have to change it (or have a "dedicated guitar" for slide playing. I guess I'll just in have to be gentle! Thanks! 👍👍👍
When i first used a slide, i was playing my LP. I in didn't change the setup at all, i used a chrome slide that i happened to have, it was a bit too loose, but i made it work. It wasn't really that hard at all. It just came natural! I figured out muting the strings, etc while i was playing Freebird. 🤪
If I were to buy this course, how could I make all the content available for offline viewing? Or so I can be assured I actually own it forever. In your FAQs it says I have "permanent access". But I assume that means I only have access to the content for as long as you maintain your website. I've gotten screwed in the past (actually more than once) where the dude stopped paying for his website and domain name.
I feel it's easier to play with a heavier slide, you just need to rest it on the strings instead of pushing it down. So for me it's easier to play low action with a heavier slide, the opposite of what I assumed would be logical. Rich Robinson's Brass Slide is great, cone shaped inside so can fit on pinky or any other finger.
Yes need fretting behind slide BUT just saw this and is behind your 1/2 price cap day. Immediately jumped to see if price was 1/2 off hoping but it isn't and I just can't do full unfort.
Have I made a mistake buying the Black Mountain Picks ring slide to try to learn to play slide? I wasn’t well pleased with my old Bayer style glass slide.
Thank you for this video this guy's a way better player than I am although I'm better at slide than I am at other stuff...**I am actually looking for a ring slide**if anyone knows where to get one please lmk because I have a particular application where one would really work for me...BTW what helped me get better was wearing one kind of like the guy says- I wear it pretty loose... I tried wearing one snug and I couldn't do crap ..I like it to get the twang sound-if it's kind of loose it'll vibrate between your finger and string-I'd say you don't want it so loose where it's going to fall off though
Dylan I hope you’ve got some trane licks in the lesson pack! Psa I took a lesson with Dylan and it was great, I don’t have the new course but I bet it’s killer
Do any companies work with the customer on a custom slide? As you stated yourself, it was best when they made it to your personal spec. *I'm someone who hopes to learn how to play slide but a few times I went to buy slides there might be just a few to choose from and they are more often than not big bulky and just don't meet any of the target goals you've just outlined. I did buy a thin glass one and it is the only one that I can put on that feels like I think a slide should be (even thought I don't know how to play).
For glass slides, Diamond Bottlenecks will design a custom a slide for you pretty much down to the last detail, and Silica Sound slides are fairly customizable too. It’s typically harder for metal slides since they’re usually machined in large quantity orders. Definitely check out The Rock Slide’s offerings though, their stuff is very ergonomic and not bulky!
@@dylanadamsguitar Thank you, I purchased about 3 (mix of from the internet and order direct from brand maker). They were too large and heavy (I kept 2 of them because I thought it might be nice to give to a friend if they wanted since they were not super expensive) But, now that I'm trying to practice I found it VERY important that it fit and feel ergonomic in order to function. You did a nice job explained the importance of fit.
Sorry you’re having trouble with it, are you able to see the sidebar on the left of the screen? Or if you’re on mobile/tablet have you tried tapping the arrow icon in the top left of the screen?
@@dylanadamsguitar thx for the quick reply Dylan. I got it sorted out. Had to use the arrow to the right several times to get to the videos. Using an iPad so might just be the lay out on this device. Thx again really looking forward to digging in.
Hey Miguel. Nobody answered your question so ... I have a lot of guitars and I've played shows for a long time and I really brushed up my slide playing in the 80s when I broke my index finger and still had a lot of weddings to play for. (Index finger is not great for slide but one does what one can)(I use my ring finger now. I like to be able to play rythmn when not doing an instrumental break and the ring finger placement leaves my hand open enough to play a lot of chords and boogie riffs) I play 10 gauge strings on electric and I don't raise my action and I don't have a particular for slide guitar (for electric I play Telly/Strat/335). My action is the same on all my electric set kinda moderate for my playing so for me action was never an issue but what I did find was an issue on the Fenders was the neck radius. My Telly and my Strat I refretted and changed the radius to a 17". That makes a huge differense and I pop on a slide and do my thing with no problem. I found that the 335 (Epiphone) had no problem accommodating slide. But if your playing a shredder guitar with low action I think you'd find the slide knocks around on the frets too much to be practical. Have a great day.
@@dylanadamsguitar Related question Does your recommendation for using a plain 22 string for the G string apply to acoustic slide? I prefer a plain G string for playing acoustic slide but I can’t find a brand of acoustic strings that makes them. I usually make my own 12-52 gauge set 😎🎸🎶☮️
@@JohnBradt-GuitarManI typically just use regular acoustic strings with a wound G, but then again I hardly ever play acoustic. I haven’t heard of an acoustic set with a plain G so you’ll probably have to keep making your own set, but if you prefer it then go for it man!
Hey there! You’ll need to buy Guitar Pro’s software in order to see the GP files. All of the tabs are in the course PDFs as well though so you don’t have to have Guitar Pro to see them
"You want your slide length to be equal to the fretboard length." No, i don't think so. I'd say you should consider the WIDTH of the fretboard, not the length. I like heavy glass & ceramic.
I wish I could have seen this video 55 years ago when I was 13 and started trying to play slide guitar. I experimented a lot. My big brother gave me some wine bottles that I used a glass cutter, boiling water, then a file to make some slides. I got a scrap piece of copper pipe from a construction site which is still one of my favorites to this day. Thanks for a very informative UA-cam post!
Copper rules!
The key word you said, when dealing with the differences in materials being used for slide is, “polished”
If they’re NOT polished, they sound drastically different
dude! make the fretting behind the slide course as soon as you can man! big fan!
I’m absolutely going to! Thanks!
I've just changed from Ring to little finger for slide playing, Dylan Adams is a fantastic Guitarist!😊
I purchased the course primarily as a way of supporting you! Good in all your adventures!
Thanks for the tips dude!
My first slide was one slide an old school TP roll holder. Didn't sound good. The metal was too thin
I've purchased this. Looking forward to giving it a go. I play with a 1/4 slide on my ring so I can keep fretting chords normally and switch better.
Nice playing.
8:22 I think material is super important. Several of my guitars like different slide materials. My resonator sounds and plays great with brass while my early ‘60s Harmony archtop loves ceramic. It’s weird but that seems to be the case. My old Yamaha acoustic digs the glass. Of course some of this has to do with set up as well but I think different guitars often want different slide material.
Just purchased the course. Been following you keenly since Rhett Shull introduced you to us all. Big Allman Brothers band fan and saw Tedeschi Trucks last year live. Looking forward to starting the course. The standard tuning was a big selling point for me.
Being a pedant I'd say the length of the fretboard is from the nut to the bridge! I thought the metal slide had more 'weight' to the sound, I was quite surprised as I've used glass and metal interchangeably.
I started the course. Excellent so far!
Finally a slide guitar course let’s go!! Can’t wait to check it out 🙌
I grabbed it, thanks! Looking forward to getting into to. Excited about the your fretting behind the slide course - I'm very interested in that!
Thanks so much, I hope you enjoy the course!! Fretting behind the slide will likely be the next course I tackle 🤘🏻
Favorite materials for slides; Ebony & Copper. My Billy Gibbons ceramic slide is also very boss. Even if the sound doesn't vary much (especially with Electric Guitar as opposed to Acoustic when it seems to matter more) the aesthetics of different materials factor in too.
I learned to play slide before Dwayne really, it was Johnny Winters who was first my biggest influence. He used a chrome steel slide which I started with and then I found that other materials excite the string more. For my ear the material that excites the string more has more sustain if you're holding one note/chord with vibrato, and not relying on gain. I agree that glass, brass and ceramic can all sound fantastic I'm no longer a fan of those silver shiny slides that Johnny Winter used. Also when I'm playing dobro or any kind of resonator I tend to use a pretty thick brass slide because it works with those acoustic strings for me much better and to my ear it sounds like it adds to the resonator sound, but that's just me. After Johnny Winter then my main influences were Duane Allman, Ry Cooder, Sonny Landreth (first guy I ever saw playing behind the slide) and then of course Derek Trucks is phenomenal, the accuracy of his travel is fantastic. Dylan is fantatic player and a fellow north Floridian. This was a video that will help many people!
Re light vs heavy slides, I find a lot depends on your strings. I need to press down harder on my strings with a light slide to get a good tone, and I use light strings, so fretting out is a problem. But a heavier slide requires a lot less downward pressure on the strings. It almost sounds contradictory, but a heavier slide allows a lighter touch. Maybe that's just me. BTW - I used 8's. I had to switch a few years ago to address some RSI issues with my fretting hand. It took a while, but I have no problem playing slide in standard tuning with 8s, and pretty reasonable action (around 2-3 mm at the 12th fret).
I agree about the heavier slide for a light touch and it just feels easier to not clack the frets.
Great beginner advice. The Rock Slides have been my favorites for many years now. It's the little things they do that knock me out, like the indentation where it rests against the finger next to it. Super well thought out. I would disagree with you a little about material though. I can hear the difference on acoustics and find that one particular material works best with the particular guitar in hand. Electrics not so much. Keep up the good work!
"Using an ill-fitting or cumbersome slide impedes learning to play slide." Duh.
That's like the difference in learning to cross pick using either a small "jazz pick" vs a standard size dinner plate.
Or even a teacup saucer.
Duh, yeah!
I'd say it matters!
Good for you for pointing out all these things!
It's simply amazing, even mind-boggling, how so many ppl don't even think about these things!
I like a ring slide, provided it's the right design. I used to play slide using a conventional "tube" design that fit over my pinky that I would stabilize with my ring finger. But I haven't played slide for years.
Now I've gotten a ring slide that I can turn around so I can play with all 4 fingers. This one fits on my ring finger and is stabilized by my pinky. (There's a "flap" that I can press with my little finger to help stabilize it.)
My plan is to adjust it until I get everything just right, so I can have the best control vs versatility to play a few strings with the slide (in standard tuning) or play with all 4 fingers.
I'm just waiting until I feel inspired to play something with slide! It'll have to be for a few weeks, so I can practice things and adjust the bends in the ring as needed.
It's all good!
And...I like "close" action...but I don't want to have to change it (or have a "dedicated guitar" for slide playing.
I guess I'll just in have to be gentle!
Thanks! 👍👍👍
When i first used a slide, i was playing my LP.
I in didn't change the setup at all, i used a chrome slide that i happened to have, it was a bit too loose, but i made it work.
It wasn't really that hard at all. It just came natural! I figured out muting the strings, etc while i was playing Freebird. 🤪
7/8 ID copper tubing about 3" longish works well and is free
I bought your course today. I have a slide from rock slides coming Saturday.
Very well played and great sound my friend!🎸Keep it up!!
New subscriber here. Good tips, thanks.
Excellent information !!!! Thanks !!!
If I were to buy this course, how could I make all the content available for offline viewing? Or so I can be assured I actually own it forever. In your FAQs it says I have "permanent access". But I assume that means I only have access to the content for as long as you maintain your website. I've gotten screwed in the past (actually more than once) where the dude stopped paying for his website and domain name.
Dylan, have you run that prs head through that super reverb cabinet? Can't wait to check out the course
I feel it's easier to play with a heavier slide, you just need to rest it on the strings instead of pushing it down. So for me it's easier to play low action with a heavier slide, the opposite of what I assumed would be logical. Rich Robinson's Brass Slide is great, cone shaped inside so can fit on pinky or any other finger.
Yes need fretting behind slide BUT just saw this and is behind your 1/2 price cap day. Immediately jumped to see if price was 1/2 off hoping but it isn't and I just can't do full unfort.
Yeah, me too. Unfortunately, I only saw this course today and full price is over $AUD222. Standard tuning slide is fantastic!
Are you still also offering private lessons? Very likely going to buy this course regardless. Way to go man!
Have I made a mistake buying the Black Mountain Picks ring slide to try to learn to play slide? I wasn’t well pleased with my old Bayer style glass slide.
Thank you for this video this guy's a way better player than I am although I'm better at slide than I am at other stuff...**I am actually looking for a ring slide**if anyone knows where to get one please lmk because I have a particular application where one would really work for me...BTW what helped me get better was wearing one kind of like the guy says- I wear it pretty loose... I tried wearing one snug and I couldn't do crap ..I like it to get the twang sound-if it's kind of loose it'll vibrate between your finger and string-I'd say you don't want it so loose where it's going to fall off though
Dylan I hope you’ve got some trane licks in the lesson pack! Psa I took a lesson with Dylan and it was great, I don’t have the new course but I bet it’s killer
Also, this idea of slide size is super under-discussed. Cool stuff. Rock slide ring finger glass slides are fantastic
Thank You 😎🎸🎶☮️
Which finger is the best overall when playing slide?
One trick I use for a better slide fit is to line the inside with moleskin.
Thanks for this tip! I was thinking what might work, a thin foam or felt, but moleskin should be perfect 👍
Also cotton balls in a coricidin bottle does the trick.
I adjust mine with dabs of hot melt glue, strategically placed.
@@thegusk520 thanks! That’s a good tip. I assume you let the glue cool before you insert your finger 😁
Sold😎
I especially appreciate that you recommend
using the ears instead of the tabs.
Tabs won't improve your intonation.
✌✌
Thanks so much for purchasing it, and I agree!!
Bone is also cool.
Do any companies work with the customer on a custom slide? As you stated yourself, it was best when they made it to your personal spec. *I'm someone who hopes to learn how to play slide but a few times I went to buy slides there might be just a few to choose from and they are more often than not big bulky and just don't meet any of the target goals you've just outlined. I did buy a thin glass one and it is the only one that I can put on that feels like I think a slide should be (even thought I don't know how to play).
For glass slides, Diamond Bottlenecks will design a custom a slide for you pretty much down to the last detail, and Silica Sound slides are fairly customizable too.
It’s typically harder for metal slides since they’re usually machined in large quantity orders. Definitely check out The Rock Slide’s offerings though, their stuff is very ergonomic and not bulky!
@@dylanadamsguitar Thank you, I purchased about 3 (mix of from the internet and order direct from brand maker). They were too large and heavy (I kept 2 of them because I thought it might be nice to give to a friend if they wanted since they were not super expensive) But, now that I'm trying to practice I found it VERY important that it fit and feel ergonomic in order to function. You did a nice job explained the importance of fit.
Hi Dylan. What do I need to access the Go Pro files?
Hey Dylan just bought the course. Only pdf showing up no video access. Maybe a glitch. Please let me know thanks
Sorry you’re having trouble with it, are you able to see the sidebar on the left of the screen? Or if you’re on mobile/tablet have you tried tapping the arrow icon in the top left of the screen?
@@dylanadamsguitar thx for the quick reply Dylan. I got it sorted out. Had to use the arrow to the right several times to get to the videos. Using an iPad so might just be the lay out on this device. Thx again really looking forward to digging in.
Does the guitar string action must be higher to play with slide?
Hey Miguel. Nobody answered your question so ... I have a lot of guitars and I've played shows for a long time and I really brushed up my slide playing in the 80s when I broke my index finger and still had a lot of weddings to play for. (Index finger is not great for slide but one does what one can)(I use my ring finger now. I like to be able to play rythmn when not doing an instrumental break and the ring finger placement leaves my hand open enough to play a lot of chords and boogie riffs) I play 10 gauge strings on electric and I don't raise my action and I don't have a particular for slide guitar (for electric I play Telly/Strat/335). My action is the same on all my electric set kinda moderate for my playing so for me action was never an issue but what I did find was an issue on the Fenders was the neck radius. My Telly and my Strat I refretted and changed the radius to a 17". That makes a huge differense and I pop on a slide and do my thing with no problem. I found that the 335 (Epiphone) had no problem accommodating slide. But if your playing a shredder guitar with low action I think you'd find the slide knocks around on the frets too much to be practical. Have a great day.
Purchase made! Now all there is left is practice
Thanks so much, I hope you enjoy it!!
Hard to try slides when they are all sealed in plastic packages. Great vid, thanks.
What gauge do you like for d standard?
I like 12-52 with a plain 22 gauge for the G string!
@@dylanadamsguitar
Related question
Does your recommendation for using a plain 22 string for the G string apply to acoustic slide?
I prefer a plain G string for playing acoustic slide but I can’t find a brand of acoustic strings that makes them.
I usually make my own 12-52 gauge set
😎🎸🎶☮️
@@JohnBradt-GuitarManI typically just use regular acoustic strings with a wound G, but then again I hardly ever play acoustic. I haven’t heard of an acoustic set with a plain G so you’ll probably have to keep making your own set, but if you prefer it then go for it man!
@@dylanadamsguitar Thanks!
@@JohnBradt-GuitarMan You can get a plain G with a custom pack from Stringjoy.
Hi. I of course mean Guitar Pro
Hey there! You’ll need to buy Guitar Pro’s software in order to see the GP files. All of the tabs are in the course PDFs as well though so you don’t have to have Guitar Pro to see them
"You want your slide length to be equal to the fretboard length."
No, i don't think so.
I'd say you should consider the WIDTH of the fretboard, not the length.
I like heavy glass & ceramic.
Dunlop 213
Chrome or brass Zippo lighter???
Ready…? FIGHT!!!
😂