Introduction to Blues Slide Guitar Lesson
Introduction to Blues Slide
Eric Madis delves into the world of slide guitar and discusses how it can be used within the blues universe.
Taught by Eric Madis in Blues Slide Guitar seriesLength: 26:36Difficulty: 2.0 of 5
Supplemental Learning Material
Blues Slide Guitar
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsSlide guitar and Blues go way back, and have a rich heritage of complimenting each other. The slide is a wonderful way to add that "vocal" quality to your guitar playing as well. This technique can be used with all genres of music, but Eric will cover it within the world of Blues.
Lesson 1
Introduction to Blues Slide
Eric Madis delves into the world of slide guitar and discusses how it can be used within the blues universe.
Length: 26:36 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Common Slide Licks
Eric Madis teaches two crucial slide guitar licks.
Length: 17:12 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Slide Lick Ideas
Eric shows how the basic closed lick can be played over a twelve bar blues. He also introduces a lick by Kokomo Arnold.
Length: 12:19 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Kokomo Arnold Lick
Eric Madis talks more about the Kokomo Arnold lick and explains some variations developed by Elmore James and Tampa Red.
Length: 11:14 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Fred McDowell Licks
Eric teaches a few licks from Fred McDowell and demonstrates how they can be used in a blues progression.
Length: 10:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Connecting Licks
Eric Madis explains how Duane Allman put his own unique spin on a classic lick played by Fred McDowell.
Length: 9:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Duane Allman Licks
Eric Madis demonstrates licks in the style of Duane Allman.
Length: 5:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Harmonica Imitation Lick
Eric Madis demonstrates how the Duane Allman style "Harmonica Imitation Lick" can be used over different chords and changes.
Length: 7:52 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Duane Allman Ideas
Eric Madis talks more about the Duane Allman style of playing and introduces the idea of playing in a box.
Length: 8:01 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Traditional Blues Slide Licks
Eric Madis teaches two classic licks in this lesson. First he covers a lick called "Son House's Train Lick." He also covers the "Electric Chair Lick."
Length: 7:47 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Elmore James Melodic Lick
Eric Madis teaches a classic blues slide lick called the "Elmore James Melodic Lick."
Length: 8:51 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Four Blues Slide Licks
Eric Madis introduces four new blues licks that can be played with a slide. He teaches a Charlie Patton lick, an ascending one-string turnaround, a descending turnaround lick, and also talks about sliding...
Length: 10:22 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Filling the Spaces
Eric Madis teaches how to fill empty spaces in an arrangement with common licks. This lesson is particularly useful for solo guitarists.
Length: 4:48 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Building a Solo
Eric demonstrates how the licks and techniques from previous lessons can be combined to play a smokin' blues solo.
Length: 5:56 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 15
A Tuning and Slide Guitar
Eric introduces open A tuning and shows how some of the licks you have already learned can be transposed to the key of A.
Length: 11:26 Difficulty: 2.5 FREE
General Slide Tips and Tricks
Eric offers up some amazing slide guitar tips. He talks about guitar setup, how to hold the slide, which finger to use and more.
Length: 13:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Delta Blues Slide
Learn how to play the timeless Delta Blues using a slide. This lesson uses A tuning.
Length: 15:35 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
The Walking Blues
Eric teaches how to play the classic "Walking Blues" progression using a slide.
Length: 14:25 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Rollin' and Tumblin'
Eric teaches a rendition of "Rollin' and Tumblin'" that can be played with a slide.
Length: 15:09 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Improvisational Techniques
Eric explains how to take a blues song or progression and make it your own.
Length: 9:54 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Blues Shuffle Improvisation
Eric Madis demonstrates how blues licks, movable chords and other ideas can be combined to create an improvised blues shuffle.
Length: 16:24 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
A Tuning Lick Review
Eric Madis gives an in depth review of core blues licks in open A tuning.
Length: 18:21 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Dust My Broom Theme
Eric explains how the classic "Dust My Broom" lick can be used to develop a theme that spans an entire twelve bar blues.
Length: 6:01 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Linear Playing Ideas
Eric Madis demonstrates some slide licks that use a more linear approach instead of a vertical, box-based approach.
Length: 8:44 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Harmonica Imitation Lick Theme
Eric Madis shows how the "Harmonica Imitation Lick" can be used to create a theme that spans an entire twelve bar blues.
Length: 6:11 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Two Lick Theme
Eric Madis combines two classic licks to create a smokin' 12 bar blues theme.
Length: 7:10 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
About Eric Madis
View Full Biography
Eric Madis is a guitarist, singer and composer, a versatile artist whose playing and compositions reflect his diverse and thorough background in American music. Whether performing in an ensemble or as a soloist, he exudes a love and a mastery of the blues that have been refined by years of experience in jazz, country, rock, and even Hawaiian music. What results are performances that include authentic renderings of old rural blues, personal interpretations of modern urban blues and jazz standards, and original music that defies strict categorization, but that draws heavily from these traditions.
Eric lives in Seattle where he leads his own ensemble, performs as a solo act and performs in the Seattle Swing Trio. He has released four CDs on Luna Records, and is currently working on a fifth. He is on the faculty of the National Guitar Workshop and Dusty Strings Music and teaches guitar privately.
Eric lived his formative years in Colorado with a family that was musical (his mother was an accomplished opera singer), and began his music study on the piano at the age of nine. He began performing shortly after picking up a guitar at ten years of age. By the age of sixteen, he was performing in Chicago-area coffeehouses. He has accompanied artists as diverse as bluesmen Big Walter Horton, Sunnyland Slim, Deacon Jones, Hawaiian luminaries Irmgaard Aluli, Kekua Fernandez, Emma Sharpe and author/poet Nikki Grimes.
He has led bands in Illinois, Texas, Colorado and Washington. He has opened shows for Robben Ford, James Cotton, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Mem Shannon, Hawkeye Herman and author Sherman Alexie. Eric's four albums have received critical acclaim, including regional airplay and nominations from NAMA and Washington Blues Society (WBS). He has received 16 Best Blues nominations from WBS, was a finalist in the New Folk Awards at the 1981 Kerrville National Folk Festival, a finalist in the 1991 Seattle Guitar Starz competition, and has music featured on five film soundtracks. Eric has taught guitar classes at Denver Free University, University of Washington's Experimental College, Northwest Folklife Festival, National Guitar Workshop, and Canada's Guitar Workshop Plus.
Whether performing in a group or as a soloist, at a concert or a small club, teaching privately or a large workshop, Eric is a dedicated professional, with commitment to the quality of his art and to his audience.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.I Would love to learn Roy Rodgers and Howlin Wolf's version of TERRAPLANE BLUES. Is this possible?
If you can tune into my Monday lesson (Q&A) sometime, let me know and I will cover Terraplane Blues for you. I have taught it before, but since it is not part of my regular repertoire, I will have to review it first. So, if you anticipate being able to tune in on a Monday, send me a message first and let me know, so I can review it.
I play acoustic electric in open D tuning. Your lessons are great in open E tuning. I also have written a host of acoustic tunes of my own. I use a glass slide as well as metal slide. I also play in Open C as well as Open G but prefer Open D. I have originals in both Open D and C. I have songs in Blues and some Christian songs as well. Whatever tuning E or D your lessons will work in any tuning. Some of the songs I play are "Wake Up Mama" and "Good Morning Little School Girl". I love Fred McDowell, Mississippi John Hurt, Tampa Red,etc.. Looking forward to learning and becoming a better slide guitarist.
Thanks for writing and for sharing that with me, and for your kind words.
Eric, Jeff here. The best thing I ever did was got to the music store and buy a slide that included this online service. You help is making the best of my deployment overseas. I can't wait to show off to the family what I am learning from you. Thanks for this opportunity. I look forward to continuing learning the bottleneck slide from you!
Hey Murph, Sorry to take so much time in replying. I rarely have time to look in the comments section, but if you send me a personal message through Jamplay, I will get it. First of all, thank YOU for your service to our country. Second of all, I am honored to have been part of your musical growth. Good luck and, if I can answer any questions, please feel free to send me a message. Also, I teach live lessons on Mondays, if you are ever free and can tune in. I can answer any questions or teach songs by request.
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Hi Eric, I just started the bottleneck lessons. I'm about 1/3 the way through your electric blues lessons as well. I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoy your teaching and playing. That complement comes from a 20 year veteran of the physics classroom. So I know what it's like to teach a subject that is difficult to learn. Anyway, thanks for your good work and I'm looking forward to working through the rest of your lessons. Best, Rob LaPointe
Thank you very much for those kind and thoughtful words, Rob. If I can answer anything for you, feel free to send me a personal message, and remember that I teach on Mondays (question and answer), so if you ever have a Monday off, let me know and I will cover a request of yours.
keep em coming Eric!, this is great, I have just started playing with the slide and am so happy to find a lesson set by you on this important style of blues playing.
Hey Rob, Thanks for the kind words. I have a friend who used to play bass with me in bands back in Illinois (Champaign and Chicago) named Harlan Smalling. Take care, Eric
great slide lessons, any chance of putting up more. and more and more lol
Thank you! There is more to come. We recorded a bunch of them, and I know that the folks at JamPlay are working hard to prepare them for your use. - Eric
Fantastic addition to your Blues series!!!! Can't wait to see the new lessons as they come up. Great Job Eric!
Thanks! I am very happy to hear that you are enjoying this whole series. - Eric
great lessons...Eric!!! please add more to this series!!! You are the best teacher on jam play!!!
Thank you very much for that kind compliment and for saying hello. - Eric
Wow, thanks very much! - Eric
great lesson eric - I'd love to see some in standard tuning
thanks! Standard tuning lessons will be posted soon. Perhaps Orville will offer some in his series also. - Eric
I like this guy....thanks!
Thanks! - Eric
What an exciting lesson series. I remember the first time I heard slide was in high school - Ry Cooder's Paris Texas soundtrack. It was the most mysterious, wonderful sounds. I've been mucking around a little with slide on some Ben Harper tunes. More difficult that I thought it would be, so, I'm looking forward to this. Already your lessons seem deep and comprehensive!
Thanks, Megan. Good luck! - Eric
I was very happy to see these new lessons by Eric. One of my favorite instructors, and I am stoked to see more bottleneck slide lessons on the site. I hope you do continue the series into standard tuning as you mention at the beginning of the lesson. Great job as always Eric and I look forward to these lessons.
Thank you very much! I do discuss standard tuning slide in the series, but I personally don't use it much, since I use separate guitars for slide and I like that nice chord resolution sound of open tunings. However, I do love standard tuning slide and I hope what I offer here will help you. Perhaps Orville Johnson (a good friend of mine and great slide player) will offer some other ideas and pointers on standard tuning slide, since he also does that quite well. - Eric
Eric, another really great lesson, love your teaching style. Looking forward to seeing you back in the Jamchat sessions in the near future.
Thanks! Yes, I am looking forward to returning to that also. - Eric
Great stuff! Big fan of Eric, and big fan of learning bottleneck... great discovery today!
Thank you! - Eric
Great follow-on to the first part of your blues lessons. Slide is great and almost a must for a serious blues player, imho. Now, is there something to be said about open tunings and the kind of guitar you use? Tuning up causes more tension on the instrument (neck, joint bridge/body), and is by many people recommended to be avoided with acoustic guitars. Solid body electrics are obviously more tolerant in taking the extra strain. But what about semi-hollows, or hollow bodies. Is some caution be advised? What kind of guitar and pickups do you consider best for slide playing, and what should the setting be like (especially regarding action, nut, ...). Looking forward to hearing your opinion. Thanks for the great starter lesson. Waiting for more to come. Wolf
Hey Wolf, Thanks for the kind comments. Yes, all that you said was correct about slide and the guitar. However, I played for years on one acoustic guitar with medium action and one electric guitar with medium action, and did fine on those. Tuning the guitar into E tuning will not hurt your guitar top (for the flat-top) or the neck, as long as you are not using heavy strings and then leaving the guitar in that tuning for long periods of time. However, if you are using acoustic mediums (.13 and above), then I would recommend D tuning, rather than E, and G tuning. For the electric, semi-hollows and hollows will hand tunings well, because semi-hollows are as stable as solid bodies and archtops (hollows) have a trapeze tailpiece. In any case, you would want to return the guitar to standard after playing slide, rather than leaving it tuned up overnight, or for days or weeks at a time. Otherwise, you would have to adjust the truss rod tension to handle the load and take your chances with the bridge (if it is a flat-top acoustic). The main reason I own separate guitars for slide is to cut down on tuning time when I perform and of course to jack the action up a bit on those guitars. My acoustic slide does not have high action, but it has a long scale length (25 5/8") and that adds enough tension to make up for raising action. - Eric
Hey Eric, great lesson. i've always loved slide guitar, it almost has a pedal steel guitar effect. I have a few questions. should the guitar be set up for slide or is it ok just to put it in the tuning you're going to use and go from there? again great lesson and that guitar you're playing sounds great!
First of all, thanks for the kind words. The setting up of a guitar for slide guitar can result in a much easier way of getting a good tone. One look at a pedal or lap steel guitar will tell us that, the further the strings are off the fretboard, the more we can press the slide firmly onto the string without contacting the fretboard. However, it is possible to get a great slide sound without raising the action up high, or using heavier gauge strings. A lot of the tone is in finding the right balance of pressure, good muting and good picking technique. Depending on your style, you may or may not prefer overdrive/distortion. However, the use of this makes it easier to obscure extraneous noises that occur with lower action. Good luck and thanks again. - Eric