Expert: George Armstrong - 2/24/2009

Question
What Up G, My favorite Delta artist often played a slide on his pinky, I'm 6'1 225-230 lbs what finger should I play on. And what size should the slide be they range from small-extra large.

Answer
Hi Adam,

If you'd like to perform fingering while using a slide I suggest the pinky finger. Take a look at slides available at your local guitar shop and try a few on for comfort. You can also do what the old blues guys used to do: cut your own slide from a glass bottle. If you do, be sure to bevel the edges smooth! This is fine for standard tuning in E.

Another idea is use a "drop" tuning, such as Drop D or Drop A. With these tunings, you can modulate the backing chord with open tuning, and add a note or two as needed. These tunings enable fairly easy chording using the slide, and with practice you can build a solid backing combining fingering and slide.

I hope this helps! Regards, George Armstrong