Which finger do you play slide with?

[jokun]

Hi folks!

I have been a metal-guy since I was a little kid, but has recently started getting more into blues-ish stuff, and therefore also the sliding tecniche.

So I'm going to buy a slide, but I have no idea wich finger I want to place it on. Which finger would you suggest for someone who has never tried slide before?

Thanks!

Håkon

 

[BMS]

 

[DanoJS]

I don't really use my slide much but when I do I put it on my pointer finger

EDIT: Did I say pointer? I meant ring finger!

 

[mudfinger]

I put the slide on my little finger. I use standard tuning, and don't do anything special with the action or relief. I'm sure other folks will suggest you start with various open tunings, and ring finger seems to be the popular choice for wearing the slide.

I use Dunlop slides these days, but cut them down so that I can just barely grip them on the edge with the tip of my little finger:

 

[zontar]

I first tried it with my third finger--but it didn't work too well.

Then I got a new slide--slightly narrower, and started using my pinky--and it all came together a lot more easily.

I'm still kind of a hack--but prefer my pinky.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I put the slide on my little finger. I use standard tuning, and don't do anything special with the action or relief. I'm sure other folks will suggest you start with various open tunings, and ring finger seems to be the popular choice for wearing the slide.

I use Dunlop slides these days, but cut them down so that I can just barely grip them on the edge with the tip of my little finger:

I use a short Dunlop on my pinky, almost exactly like this, that I bought stock about 2 years ago. I cannot find a spare, and the store I bought from originally doesn't stock it anymore.

The pinky works best for me in that it allows me to still play chords with extensions, which is a big part of my rhythm style: index holds the root, middle holds one or two chord tones, ring can play sus 2, sus4, 6th, 7th, or 9th. Lots of flavor there, and throw in a fill or two as well.

But honestly, I'm a hack on slide, and will probably stay one for a while.

I also like curved, or flared, slides, especially if I'm on a Strat-type.

 

[zontar]

I also like curved, or flared, slides, especially if I'm on a Strat-type.

I've consider that and then I could play slide better on my Mustang.
But my Les Paul works great for slide.

As for fingers--again--since I didn't really answer the OP about which finger I'd recommend, I'd try both ring finger & pinky, and see what works.

Both allow for different chording options if you also use your fretting hand fingers.

 

[Sirzach]

I usually use it on my pinky. That is, when I don't use my pinky. If I have to use it, I'll use the slide on my ring finger. Some songs call for different placements.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

As for fingers--again--since I didn't really answer the OP about which finger I'd recommend, I'd try both ring finger & pinky, and see what works.

Both allow for different chording options if you also use your fretting hand fingers.

Very true, and it all depends on how you learned. I started out pretty much solo 12str acoustic, and had to use my 3rd and 4th fingers for melodic interest. My pinky had better reach, but my ring got a lot of use as well. And when I went to electric, I found it easier to hit flavor-notes with my 3rd.

It's all good.

 

[zontar]

Very true, and it all depends on how you learned. I started out pretty much solo 12str acoustic, and had to use my 3rd and 4th fingers for melodic interest. My pinky had better reach, but my ring got a lot of use as well. And when I went to electric, I found it easier to hit flavor-notes with my 3rd.

It's all good.

Here's an example of using the other fingers to fret--Bukka White has the slide on his pinky and mostly frets, but has fills and stuff on the slide with his pinky--cool stuff.
Not the only way to do it--but certainly one way to try it-
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsMpHHSLSlc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsMpHHSLSlc[/ame]

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Here's an example of using the other fingers to fret--Bukka White has the slide on his pinky and mostly frets, but has fills and stuff on the slide with his pinky--cool stuff.
Not the only way to do it--but certainly one way to try it-
YouTube - Booker White - Aberdeen Mississippi Blues HIFI

Great stuff, thanks. I've never gotten into Bukka, and will certainly dig up more, because that's one thing I love to do, drop slide licks into a standard prog, or put standard fills into a slide rhythm. Got the idea from Duane -- it's a pity I can't do it in the same solar system as either of them.

Also, what's he doing to get that percussive sound when he slaps it? Is it like thumping on a bass? That shit's bad.

 

[ledfloyd]

ring finger or pinky

 

[Rock]

I say do what feels comfortable. I use the middle finger and sometimes the ring finger.

 

[bfcg]

Pinky only. I like to use my fingers when I play, even when I play slide.
A slide on my index finger would make me have to bar with it when I don't really want to.
there is no way to "put it away". My pinky is easier to keep out of the way when I dont want the slide. Maybe it's an open G thing, theres a lot you can do with 2 or 3 fingers and a slide in open G.

 

[jokun]

Thanks everyone!
I think I will try my pinky...