A Crash Course on Sliding: A Legato Technique Master Guitarists Love

‘Sliding’ is a unique and extremely popular legato technique and has equal significance for experienced guitarists and novices. Slides facilitate the effortless blending of two or more musical notes and aids in heightening guitar melody. Slides also enable your fingers to navigate seamlessly from one particular spot to another, while moving along the fret board. One of the most awesome facts pertaining to sliding is that, it is relatively simple to grasp. You are sure to experience greater ease and confidence with the passage of time and dedicated practice. Sliding into your target note The very essence of sliding lies in the application of the right amount of pressure in order to enable effortless and quick transitions. Sliding into a target note is a swift one and presents an auditory effect of a single note instead of two. Start sliding from a couple of frets below the target note. With minimal finger pressure, use the pick for striking the string somewhere in between the original and targeted frets. Let your finger pressure increase gradually so that you end up exerting full pressure at your target note. Ensure that your target note resonates cleanly by applying constant pressure on your fret board. Sliding out of a particular note In order to slide out of a guitar note, hold that particular note throughout its duration, slide your finger down your fret board and then bring it up again following a few frets. Use the first string and ninth fret note for picking the string normally. Allow the note to ring and slide your finger down while steadily releasing finger pressure. Withdraw your finger after a couple of frets. Learning to play long slides The term ‘long slide’ refers to ascending or descending slides which cover almost the entire length of the neck. The player releases finger pressure and consequently removes his/her finger from the string located at either end of the neck. If an individual does not restrict the hand and release finger pressure while playing a long slide, he would end up hearing a stopping point. And if the player releases the string, then an open string would be heard. Increasing your comfort level with these simple exercises Practicing a number of basic sliding exercises immensely helps in raising your comfort levels. Engage in single string exercises where you are required to make use of your ring finger and index finger alternately for every slide, as you gradually ascend the fret board. This fabulous technique aids in imparting a unique sound to your solos. You can also try out a simple technique of using slides for repeating picked target notes. There are interesting ways of using slides for moving through pentatonic scales in a slurred manner. Dealing with the challenges of sliding Even though sliding is a remarkably simple technique which can be grasped within a short span time of time, beginners might find this concept a bit challenging during the initial stages of learning. Here are some fundamental strategies for […]

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