Video Question: Slide Guitar

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Date: July 10th, 2008 | Length: 3.06 | Instructor: David MacKenzie

Evilhedgehog asks, "I would absolutely love you guys forever if you would do a lesson on how to properly use a slide (bottleneck?) with an acoustic guitar. I know this is pretty popular in blues styles and I would greatly enjoy being shown more about how I can actually work this into practice music. The biggest question I guess I have though, is what are some popular tunings to use when utilizing a slide, or are there really any special ones?" Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

Bending Strings - September 10th, 2007 (3 minutes, 13 seconds)

ChipC asks "Really like your lessons, I have a question on bending. I watched your lesson, are you rotating your wrist and keeping your fingers locked in to bend the string or are you pushing the string up with your fingers, when you were doing the 7th fret, 3rd string bends...I think I read somewhere that you were suppose to twist the wrist somehow or use the wrist to create the bend...but I'm not sure and wanted to get the word from you." View Response

Setting Neck Without a Truss Rod - May 12th, 2009 (6 minutes, 18 seconds)

Niandra asked "Hi guys...i'm not sure whether a question similar to this one has been already asked. I have a '51 Martin 0-15. All in all the guitar is in a nice condition but im not sure whether it would be the right time for a new neck setting. What is an indicator for that? As far as i am informed martins from this age didn't yet have theese/those TrussRods (or how it is spelled-sorry for my english it's beschissen ;-) so in case IF i have to bring it to a professional luthier. Actually i think the playing is very very nice and the spaces between fretboard and strings up to the 12th fret seem normal but im not sure and what do you think would be the "average" price? And bye the way--- can you tell what's up with mr . fishmann's lessons???? Thanks." View Response

Rock and the Blues - February 2nd, 2009 (4 minutes, 47 seconds)

Domovoy asked "Hey guys, can you explain the Rock N' Roll - Blues connection in tangible terms? I keep reading online that "Rock N' Roll evolved from the Blues" and "Rock is based on the Blues," but nothing more specific than that. Sometimes the connection is pretty easy to hear (on a lot of Slash's stuff for example), but sometimes it isn't. It would be great if you if you could explain it in musical terms. Thanks a lot! -Dmitry." View Response

strings - April 23rd, 2008 (1 minutes, 22 seconds)

Kenrahn asks, "Hi, I'm a beginner so I would like to know what would be the best strings for this type of guitar. It's an Alvarez Model CY135. Thank You for your help. Ken Rahn" View Response

Fast Fingerstyle Picking - December 9th, 2008 (4 minutes, 53 seconds)

Kenstyle asked "What is proper protocol for playing eight notes or faster on the same string when using fingerstyle? are you supposed to develop "same-finger"speed with each individual finger? or should another finger sneak on to the string and do a two-fingered run? It seems i cant go much faster than quarter notes (obviously this depends on the tempo of a song) if i use only one finger, i.e. i can only use "upstrokes". Apologize in advance for my confusing question. This question might be appropriate for Steve or Jim D." View Response