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Hey there, this lesson will focus on the sliding technique found all over the guitar world in pretty much every genre, it is a must have skill to add to your arsenal. Sliding is when you move your finger up or down the string without loosing contact with the string you are fretting. This can create a smooth sound and a nice alternative to re- picking the note you are aiming for. Exercise 1 could be used in a Jimi Hendrix style solo but equally could be found in a modern pop track so it’s well worth learning.

Exercise 1- Simple A Minor Pentatonic Phrase

A Minor Pentatonic Scale Slide Lick

A Minor Pentatonic Scale Slide Lick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the exercise above it is best to start by picking every other note starting on the first note on the TAB, as you get comfortable you may wish to just pick once at the start and complete the phrase only one pick. The less you pick the strings, the less attack you have which means you create a smoother sound. However, there is a difference between smooth and weak, and when you can still get a nice volume from your guitar with all slides then you have done very well.

Exercise 2- C Ionian Slide Phrase

C Ionian Scale Slide Lick

C Ionian Scale Slide Lick

 

 

 

Notice with exercise 3 the wider interval slides making this lick sound more angular, try and experiment with other modes such as the Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian and Aeolian and vary the wideness of the slide by jumping either more or less intervals within the mode. If you want to learn more about modes then please read  Be The Guitarist for clear mode diagrams, chord to mode relationships, arpeggios and much more!

Exercise 3- C Ionian Slide ins and outs 

C Ionian Scale One String Slide Lick

C Ionian Scale One String Slide Lick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you have learnt something new and interesting, looking for something else? Then have a look in the Blog for many free guitar lessons or alternatively if you wish to take my eBook courses then please see either Be The Guitarist or Complete Beginner Guitarist for a concise and effective guitar method.

Tom Clark

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