"It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play"
This is an old jazz adage - generally credited to Miles Davis. Whilst I don't disagree, I do think it's equally true to suggest that,
"It's not the notes you play, but how you play them."
Sliding to or from a note adds colour and expression to your playing. It's also a way to suggest speed, since a slide can be performed in a very brief space of time. Slides are particularly useful if you struggle with bends, and are well suited for jazz styles, whilst adding variety and interest to all styles of playing.
Grab your guitar and select play on this video:
If you're new to playing lead then practice single-fret slides in the first instance. The flattened fifth to the fifth is often used by the likes of Robben Ford. I focus on the pentatonic and blues scales within the video but if you practice with a full eight-note scale (for instance the major, minor or any of the modes) then there are always several semi-tone intervals to experiment with.
Try using notes from this minor scale. The asterix indicates the starting fret (12th for the key of Em):
The flattened fifth I mentioned is a passing note and is located on the third string at the 15th fret, and on the 5th string at the 13th within the above box position. For example try this lick - which uses a couple of single-fret slides, including the flattened fifth-to-fifth:
---14/15---12-----------------------------------------------
--------------------15-----------------------------------------
--------------------------15\14---12------------------------
-------------------------------------------14------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
Note that, when played fairly fast (such as when sliding) any note can be used as a passing note. As with any new technique, I suggest you over-use it whilst practicing. In light of this, try playing around with the above box position whilst sliding to and from every single note. Also, try sliding up or down to every note within the scale from one fret above or below it.
Below is the backing track featured in the video, for you to practice along with:
You can download it for free here :)
Let me know how you get on in the below comments section and, most importantly ~ Enjoy! :)
This is an old jazz adage - generally credited to Miles Davis. Whilst I don't disagree, I do think it's equally true to suggest that,
"It's not the notes you play, but how you play them."
Sliding to or from a note adds colour and expression to your playing. It's also a way to suggest speed, since a slide can be performed in a very brief space of time. Slides are particularly useful if you struggle with bends, and are well suited for jazz styles, whilst adding variety and interest to all styles of playing.
Grab your guitar and select play on this video:
If you're new to playing lead then practice single-fret slides in the first instance. The flattened fifth to the fifth is often used by the likes of Robben Ford. I focus on the pentatonic and blues scales within the video but if you practice with a full eight-note scale (for instance the major, minor or any of the modes) then there are always several semi-tone intervals to experiment with.
Try using notes from this minor scale. The asterix indicates the starting fret (12th for the key of Em):
The flattened fifth I mentioned is a passing note and is located on the third string at the 15th fret, and on the 5th string at the 13th within the above box position. For example try this lick - which uses a couple of single-fret slides, including the flattened fifth-to-fifth:---14/15---12-----------------------------------------------
--------------------15-----------------------------------------
--------------------------15\14---12------------------------
-------------------------------------------14------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
Note that, when played fairly fast (such as when sliding) any note can be used as a passing note. As with any new technique, I suggest you over-use it whilst practicing. In light of this, try playing around with the above box position whilst sliding to and from every single note. Also, try sliding up or down to every note within the scale from one fret above or below it.
Below is the backing track featured in the video, for you to practice along with:
You can download it for free here :)
Let me know how you get on in the below comments section and, most importantly ~ Enjoy! :)
NEXT---Hammer-ons and pull-offs