Your First Slide Guitar Lesson-before you even TOUCH a slide!!

[@nathanieldavis3888]

Brother, I needed this. I've been playing for nearly 20 years, but I feel like such a beginner all over again when you incorporate the slide. Thank you!

[@JustinOstrander]

It really is a totally new and different thing. Cheers!

[@user-ls9nm9uy5s]

Hey Justin ! This is my first time hearing you. I appreciate what you have said about using the ring finger and why also the materials of your slides. From a anatomical standpoint the ring finger stands to reason. At this point I have no preference in finger or material to use. Although, I am a rookie and inclined to use what I have available. So I have a 5/8" Craftsman socket that fits my ring finger and pinky even better. Thank you for your informative U-tube video !👍

[@Roozbluez]

Whenever you play, you have such a commanding sense of personal groove, and pocket. Can you make a video on pocket, and time feel? Even off metronome you groove, man.

[@dougsmith8430]

BTW, we just saw The Tedeschi Trucks Band, at red rocks up above Denver here, what a phenomenal show, great band! Derek trucks it’s just amazing, and so I bought my first slide yesterday, I watched him and I put it on my ring finger… I’ve never played slide, but plan to learn!

[@Drew-B365]

Grag Koch frets note purposefully as well. Very interesting technique.

[@OliverAmberg]

Besides the great tips and guitar playing, the quality of the videos (light, audio, etc.) must also be praised. 👍

[@sjperry54]

I’m a ring finger guy. I probably went through 10-12 slides before I found the Rock slides. I love the tapered insides and the cutouts. They fit my finger and I feel they give me more control.

[@dougsmith8430]

As far as fitting the finger, should slide be a little tight on the finger, or a little loose?

[@sjperry54]

@@dougsmith8430 I think it’s just personal preference. I prefer snug but not tight, but it took me a couple of years of trying different slides to figure that out.

[@robbiedonovan1974]

I'm brand new to slide and I decided to just dedicate myself to learning with Ariel Posen's Rock Slide on my pinky. Mainly because he's also my main influence for wanting to dive into it. I ordered it on a whim, and luckily it fit perfect and it feels very natural. Committing myself to be extremely patient with it, as I'm mainly a folk / americana player. Also, I stumbled onto your channel when you released the dad band critique. I went back and watched a bunch of videos, and have watched them since. You put out incredible content, so keep doing what you're doing. The subs will come in no time! 👊👊

[@JustinOstrander]

Thanks a ton, and welcome!

[@gurugrandad]

Hi mate..from Australia Just subscribed..iv been playing for about 50 years. Everything from country and blues to metal an punk..but a blues player at heart. Played ring finger slide a lot and pinky a bit...but what really interests me is your right and left hand muting with or without slide..it looks to me to be exceptionally good..and as a very much overlooked subject by a lot of players..I think a vid on the subject would be really helpful for a lot of players...it might not be very exciting but it’s one of the subtle things that separate the pros from the amateurs Congrats on a great channel Cheers Greg

[@billyslide7645]

Moved from ring to pinky several years ago and I’m glad I did it. Gives, for me, more rhythm options. I use a shorter slide, think shorter pinky finger. I mostly use glass slide, but also use brass. Big thing for me was getting a slide that didn’t go low on the finger which causes it to lock your wrist.

[@billyraygermany]

14.5k subs!! Proud for you brother!

[@JumboJimbo015]

I use my pinky finger. My first slide was a copper tube that we cut to size. I always prefer metal slides, they just sound more pleasing to my ear. I mostly use Sockets, or random metal tubing I find at hardware stores.

[@coffeedudeguy]

Just for fun, I cut a piece of scrap copper tube to use as a slide. It sounds a lot like the titanium, though probably easier to polish. But since copper is softer than steel string, I won't rely on it for serious gigs

[@onurb59]

He might not be someone you listen to a lot, but Ritchie Blackmore is pretty good with a slide too, and he just hold the slide in his left hand without threading it on any finger.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

I use my little finger which came about mostly as a result of watching Ry Cooder early on. These days as you mentioned Joey Landreth and the unrelated Sonny Landreth are also little finger slide players as is Joey's ex-bandmate Ariel Posen. They all exploit playing behind the slide a lot. Blake Mills is a ring finger player though as is Trucks. Jason Isbell is an index finger guy like Joe Walsh and Bonnie Raitt. Jason does some cool stuff using his fingers in front of the slide for hammer on & pull offs. His band mate Sadler Vaden does a lot of the same stuff playing on his ring finger which makes me want to try the 3rd finger too. Oh, btw. It was noticeable to me how much more your playing sung with your favourite slide. Obviously home base for you.

[@BushidoPhoto]

I also use the ring finger. It just feels right compared to any other finger.

[@mudnducs]

Ring finger, heavy glass. Never considered the geometry of our fingers and forearms….neat stuff!!!!

[@forresta65]

us beginners/ relearners hear a pro say I sound terrible and we lose the will to live lol. Thanks for the interesting videos that show a path instead of the scales mastery course!

[@JustinOstrander]

Yeah I did say I'm terrible at pinky slide, but I think right after that I said I bet I could get a lot better if I put the time in. That applies to everyone. 😉 Cheers!

[@tonkageorge]

Every once I a while, I pick up a slide and stumble through it for 20 minutes and then put it up on the shelf. This motivates me to invest a few minutes every day and commit to getting better. Thanks.

[@JustinOstrander]

Awesome to hear that!

[@zfm1097]

I think it's easy to overthink these things. I suppose the ring finger is sandwiched between the second & fourth fingers (the fourth also being shorter & thinner) and also leaves two fingers for muting & fretting behind the slide (and a sus4 chord in front). The first finger leaves no fingers for muting or fretting behind the slide. But I don't notice a big difference in difficulty between the fingers and there are different possibilities. On the fourth finger, you can fret more chords behind the slide and also switch to playing with three fingers. I use the same medicine bottle slide for ring & 4th, just stuff some cotton wool/tissue inside.

[@dougsmith8430]

Hello Justin and all.. 👋 Doug from Denver, Colorado. This is actually the first video I’m seeing of yours, Justin, and I just subscribed! I’ve been getting into a lot of caged and a lot of theory, a lot of scales Modes etc. that’s all very good, and it has helped me, but I want to get back to playing songs more often… As my first guitar teacher ever told me, songs are an excellent way to learn music, to learn to get better at Guitar!

[@JustinOstrander]

Thanks a ton!

[@dougsmith8430]

@@JustinOstrander You are welcome Justin, thank you! BTW, is there a link where I can get your previously released Song lessons?

[@davebeal65]

Man I appreciate this video. I work at a music store. While I can play a little bit of guitar, I am a drummer. I have known Sonny plays on his pinky, so I always try to ask customers to figure what finger they want to play with, and come back for the right slide once they decide. What I didn't know how to evaluate was your demonstration of the different materials, sizes and shapes. Now I have a better idea, so I can exponentially share this information. I will refer people to this video to decide for themselves.

[@paultorbert6929]

Glass….. I mark the seams with fingernail polish(varnish for my UK friends)…. Ring finger…. I mute with both hands where applicable….. Joe Walsh and Lowell George made me pick it up. Edit: BOOZE BLUES Slides is what I use… exclusively.

[@WTF-Cubing]

Started with ring finger. Still primarily a ring player, as I always found I had better control and vibrato (and emotional projection). But I do recognize the benefit of using the pinky, and started practicing with it to the point that it’s not terribly uncomfortable. After being introduced to Dylan Adams after Rhett Shull did a video on him, he explains why he switched to pinky and standard: mostly his professor (Tronzo) in university who forced all his students to become pinky players in standard. Highly recommend him as an online mentor, has great info and insight into slide playing, but ultimately I think the most important thing is that you just keep playing. Whatever makes you want to keep playing, do that and you’ll get better! P.s. I also have a Furious Slide! (#301). He stopped making them, so they’ll be rare. They already are! Also just bought Joey’s slide, and that’s what makes me practice on the pinky. Very uncomfortable at first… like it was unnatural. Also had sharp edges inside, so as a machinist I polished it with some sand paper and some diamond files to make it as comfortable as possible to wear casually. Then I would wear it while driving, watching TV, etc. to become accustomed to it being there. Trust me, it helps. Other great slides I own: Diamond Slides (Crystal lead glass), Planet Waves Rich Robinson slide (tapered brass), Dunlop thick glass glass, a ceramic from… I can’t remember right now, lol. Oh, and a Wolfram Slides Martin Simpson signature slide. Not the tungsten one… can’t afford such a thing, ha ha.

[@afarrar3]

this is a great video! ive never heard that about the ulna and radius, but that just makes so much sense. for the longest time, i couldnt get slide. then one day it just clicked, and i started practicing and playing with it more, which made a huge difference. learning to play slide in standard tuning, and on any guitar is a big help too like you said. opens you up to playing alot more. Once i started really getting into slide on guitar though, i got into dobro, lap steel, and now pedal steel. its alot of fun!

[@Vern859]

Thank you for the information

[@RyanWellsMusic]

Something Paul Franklin said (I think this applies to pedal/lap steel and guitar) is, the larger the diameter of the slide, the harder it is to play in tune. if your inputs aren't precise (entering and exiting directly over the fret), your intonation can easily go sharp or flat. He went on to say a lot of pedal steel players may lean towards using a 9/16" or 1" slide, but they always record with a smaller diameter 7/8" slide.

[@MariJu1ce]

ever since i got a joe perry ceramic slide i really like playing slide now, i sucked with brass and glass saddles, maybe they just didnt fit my finger right. Still not a great slide player but it helped alot finding the right slide! =D

[@BlugubriousMusic]

Like most 80s guitar kids, I played slide because of the resurgence and awareness of Robert Johnson... played lots. Not anymore for some reason, but you confirmed (and demonstrated) something that was very helpful to me. The heft of those like your favorite is too much for me, so I found the sustain in a skinny steel slide (ring finger). I now hear that non-steel sustain sounds like what I imagine a steel would through a compressor/sustainer. Steel sustain is more open and 'ringy' and I think that was what I was looking for... little clangy too though, so in your environment, I could see it not being ideal. Really helpful stuff... no need to reply here.

[@toploadtele]

5-Stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@alafenetre81]

Very useful info! Thank you.

[@TonyThomas10000]

Give Justin a thumbs up! His videos really deserve it!

[@donald-parker]

I started slide using my ring finger. But then switched to my index finger and even my first finger a lot. Primarily because it made slanting the slide to get notes on different strings above different frets at the same time much easier. And I could still use the other three fingers to chord (using the slide as I would my first finger). And then I saw Sonny Landreth, and his whole "playing behind the slide" thing opened a whole new world. I see pros and cons of all styles. If I only had 7 fingers .... I do find heavier brass slides give me better sound with minimal pressure on the strings (and minimal pressure is especially important for the "playing behind the slide" technique as well as using light strings and normal action) but pinky sized ones seem impossible to find. I'm using the Ariel Posen ball end slide now. The ball end gives the slide a bit more mass, but I would prefer one with walls twice as thick.

[@mikebedik3686]

Hey man, love your content.

[@ljmiller96]

The other argument for ring finger slide is the pinky, middle finger, and index finger are all very dexterous. They can fret all over the strings and do it quickly. Ring finger not so much. Ring finger is the clumsy neighbor kid who gets picked last for softball or dodgeball. So if you're going to bottle a finger up in a slide, do it to the clumsiest one.

[@joeurbanowski321]

❤your vids.! Makes total sense to learn slide on regular setup… And really appreciate your list of gear.! Keep em coming.

[@bowiecat1211]

Thanks for the great info as always, you actually inspired me to start taking guitar lessons on country music.

[@Panic42000]

I’ve always used the pinky because it frees my other three fingers to play.

[@leemichaels406]

Can you put out a video on how much to charge for the sessions and track recordings?

[@TonyThomas10000]

Duane Allman played with his ring finger. 'Nuff said!

[@philf4086]

Based on your recent discussion of double drop D tuning, and how that figures into slide playing, I'm tempted to try the middle finger. With that said, I've played with the ring finger up to now. One of my arguments FOR the ring finger is that it is weaker - meaning less grounds outs on the frets. Maybe my logic is off. We'll see.

[@JustinOstrander]

Middle always felt so wrong to me. But your experience might be different! Cheers!

[@carlospellot2426]

Nice Video, loved the anatomical logic behind your Slide playing. Slide is just one of those things i want to learn from you. I'll be eagerly waiting for the next part in the Slide mini-series, Exercises and ideas. Congrats on the newest subscribers. Thanks a lot!

[@scottpickett9779]

Thanks Justin for the lesson man that helped a lot I’ve been struggling with slide. Also I have short kind of stubby fingers and I have a hard time finding a slide that feels comfortable so I’m gonna check out some other ones. another video on slide would be awesome man. thanks again.

[@glennfeit8294]

Started on ring finger years ago but switched to pinky- just seem to have less tension in the hand. Biggest improvement came from switching to a curved slide. Stores usually stock straight ones. Also,found thick wall always seemed to sound better to my ears regardless of material. I use glass for electric, brass for resonator, and chrome/SS for lap.

[@aliassteve9055]

Excellent video! Appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I AM that guy, the one that needed this video as my first slide lesson. Going to give the ring finger slide a go. Really want to get some Justin Johnson sound / vibe out of my guitar.

[@aaronmowery]

Hey Justin! I really enjoyed the quick tone demos for each slide… that’s so helpful to know what to reach for to get a desired tone. Side note: I’m curious to hear you explain how you have each of your main guitars setup and why you set them up that way. You have a great channel man! Im always looking forward to the next video!

[@danthegeetarman]

Amazing video. I’ve kind of had analysis paralysis for a lot of these things and even just watching this video has helped me decide which direction I want to take things. Also I noticed you mention you used light strings. I use light strings too, and I’m glad to hear that you don’t have to have jumbo strings just to do slide stuff. I always hear people say that and I just don’t like big strings at all. As a side note curious what gauges you prefer for what type of applications. That would be a cool little video to talk about your philosophy for string gauges for various guitars (regular guitars, acoustics, baritones, differently tuned guitars, etc). Thanks again for the valuable content as always 🙏🙏

[@JustinOstrander]

It is harder to get the slide to speak with low action. I just worked at it a lot. For me, it was worth the extra effort to get the feel down with low strings and light action so I have more tonal options when I want to play a slide part. I agree that would be a cool video. Out of my main guitars, I basically have 10s or 10.5s on everything except my Goldtop and my Senn Strat. Those have 11s.

[@folkrock4u]

It's completely personal. Bonnie Raitt's playing makes a strong case for the middle finger- Sonny Landreth makes a strong case for the pinky. Lowell George was one of the greatest, and used his pinky.

[@JTakasa]

I have small hands, so I use my middle finger so I can fret chords with my other 3 fingers. I would prefer to use my pinky instead for some Sonny Landreth action, but I can at least get my index finger to play chord tones behind the slide.

[@russmill6265]

Also, I figured I'd mention, I started on open G, then open E, but really like open D. Low and lots of growl.

[@russmill6265]

I'm not a great slide player but, I started on the ring finger and made a decision to change to pinky. It freed up my others for fretting. Also, I use a short, thick dunlop, (413?) I sued emery cloth to "unpolish" it horizontally, so it sort of grabs the string and also rattles some. My favorite slide setup..

[@travisgotch161]

Dave Hole from Australia is an index finger guy but he also plays upside down. He is incredible despite being so unorthodox. Worth checking him out. Easily Australia’s best slide guitarist and one of the best I have ever seen

[@JustinOstrander]

Man that sounds awesome. I will check him out. Thanks!

[@travisgotch161]

@@JustinOstrander hi Justin. this is a good example of Dave Hole. Old Willy Deville song kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqakZXyqZ6qlfaM

[@JustinOstrander]

@@travisgotch161 That's cool how he plays rhythm normally (Spanish-style) and then flips his hand over the neck for lap style slide. Thanks for sharing!

[@peteannells4218]

Brilliant video. Recent subscriber who enjoys common sense content. Thankyou. PS: Roy Clark used his shoe 🙂.

[@JustinOstrander]

Yes!! Welcome aboard

[@darwinsaye]

Cool topic. I can’t play slide for the life of me if I’m not playing lap steel. All fingers just feel horribly awkward coming at it from under the neck in normal guitar playing position. I’d like to get a slide that only covers the first two finger bones so I can still bend it in the middle. Then it would come down to sticking it on which ever finger is least adept at fretting notes when not sliding.

[@nigelbarnes818]

Slide is one of those things that I've always wanted to learn. But because I do it so ad hoc, I quickly put it down. I don't even know where my slide is anymore. I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Anyway, maybe making an investment in a new slide, I'll commit to making an effort. I think I'd like to try a pinky slide, but to my ear, I liked the sound Tyler Bryant slide the best. It's a little darker and creamy. Anyway, I'll break out my Arlen Roth book and take another crack at it. Thanks Justin.

[@scottbee501]

Didn’t Lowell George use a socket wrench tool?

[@jayfoster]

I think a big part of Joey Landreth's use of the pinky is that he plays a lot of "behind the slide" notes with the other fingers

[@JustinOstrander]

Absolutely. Same for Ry and Sonny.

[@markdouglas1994]

First thing- thanks for the video! Kudos to using pronate and supinate - as someone in healthcare for a good part of my life - you nailed the anatomy but then... the right hand/left hand light handed-ness - lol! (JK🤣) - I am experimenting with glass and metal (just purchased Ariel Posen's signature slide- basically same as Joey) - pinkie and ring - I have a long way to go - still like the glass sound - Duane Allman and coricidin bottle but the metal on metal can be nice - the other thing is type of guitar - electric versus acoustic - different tones as you noted. Look forward to the next video with examples and additional slide tips as you see it- avoid moistness lol!

[@JustinOstrander]

Yeah, because of my low action and light strings, I need to have a light touch with both hands. It was a slower process to get the hang of slide this way, but the benefit is that I can play slide on any of my guitars. I agree-I really like the glass sound a lot!

[@loveguitars]

Hey Justin, Love your lessons!! Awesome!!😍🙏

[@boldwinbeanbaker3033]

Great video Justin, anatomicly educational too! Did you ever try brass slides?

[@JustinOstrander]

Yes, the Landreth slide I talk about in the video is brass. I have a few others. I do use them; I just prefer the cleaner sound of glass for most situations.

[@chappy2312]

Hey Justin, Somewhat new to your channel and digging it. I am not a slide player it got sucked into the Black Mountain Ring Slide and of course bought one. I still suck but wanted to k ow your thoughts on the Black Mountain, thanks for your time.

[@JustinOstrander]

A songwriter I worked for gave me one of those last year. It's an interesting concept, but I feel far more comfortable playing with a normal slide.

[@rhymeswfamous]

Me (About a month Ago) "I should try to learn slide, my ring finger feels right for me" Me (5 min ago, clicking on your video) "please say ring finger, please say ring finger..."

[@fromouterspace1218]

One time i saw an old street guy tuning a guitar, so i dropped him a couple loonies and noticed he only had one hand...wondered how he was gonna pull this off...open tuning..?...so later that night going home i hear an awesome bluesy song beltin out with wild slide...rounded the corner and saw the dude just killing it...with a coffe mug on his stump..!..guitars are meant ro be played...dont just stare...play..!...

[@cptntwang]

Hello, Ringfinger-Dude for 40 years here.

[@SteveEngland-kg4iz]

I'm with you my fellow guitar player !!!

[@createlovehappy]

One of my favorite guitars is my wood bodied Dobro with the Hula girl on the back. It's that greenish yellow sort of color. It's a Duolian and I love it. On my pinky, I use a thick pyrex slide and keep it in a weird open G tuning. When I bought it, it was tuned this way and I just kept it. I'd love to put a pick-up in it but don't know where to start. Fishman contact style, or a real Linde Fraylin p90, ?? Any thoughts?

[@wooferdevlin3571]

Yeah, try damp for moist to avoid cringe fest. haha I'm ring, if knuckle covered, feels choked. Open knuckle jiggles. Maybe I need tapered Rock Slide. If you can get a headstock cam to see point of contact, I feel like, play the plain or wound strings- slight roll from radius to bass or treble side? I'm noob, thanks for the help. ♫

[@officialWWM]

How did you know I have been trying to learn to play slide? 🤔 I wrote a song that is screaming for a slide guitar part…and I have no idea what to do, so I’m giving myself a crash course 😂 Any chance you can do something on how to get a huge slide tone?

[@michaellandreth1392]

Hi Justin I have a question not pertaining to slide but the NNS. Recently I was watching a new video by Eric Blackmon. A teacher from the Carolinas playing a cover of Fantasy by Earth ,Wind and Fire. If you watch this video you will see it has many different chords... So my question is if you came across this song , the artist wanting to do an accurate cover. Could you do it in the NNS ? And how. Is there songs out there as far as "Popular Music" goes that can't be ? Or can you just put the chord # and the type of chord it needs to be ? And no I'm not as far as I know any kin to those guys. Thanks and keep up the great content !

[@JustinOstrander]

Everything can be written in the number system. I have tracked an EWF song with a number system chart. It helps to call key changes down the chart as they happen.

[@michaellandreth1392]

Ok that's what I've been thinking but also wondering about. As some say not every bands music can be played using it. But I knew you'd know since you chart this stuff everyday@@JustinOstrander

[@peterdvideos]

You forgot one of the tastiest players, Bonnie Raitt! She’s a middle finger player, I think.

[@JustinOstrander]

Absolutely love Bonnie

[@GuitarJawn]

I suck at slide but I've been trying because of Dylan Adams. I think my action is too low on all my guitars because it never sounds good :(

[@paultorbert6929]

Action can be low if the strings are 10-46 or thicker

[@JustinOstrander]

I have low action and 10s on most guitars. It helps to slow way down, make sure you're perfectly in tune, and start slowly sounding out clear notes with the slide. Over time and consistent practice, your left hand will start to get the hang of how to hold the slide on the strings, and your right hand will get the hang of how to pick in order to make the slide speak and then sing.

[@GuitarJawn]

​@@paultorbert6929I use 10-46

[@WahrheitMachtFrei.]

You don't "make the decision" then set about practicing slide... get a slide (or a few), experiment, see what feels best, most natural to you, *then* decide which finger you're going to use 🙄

[@JustinOstrander]

Sounds to me like we’re saying the same thing. You have to decide to try SOMEthing. The decision to try it comes before actually trying it. This video is for those who haven’t tried what I’m arguing might be best for them or for who feel option paralysis when it comes to all the different techniques and slides out there. I totally agree that if what you try doesn’t work, then yes, go back and try something else. Notice all the slides I have that I basically never use. I’ve tried a lot of different things and decided that what I’m doing now is best for me. This video is what works for me. I also find the connection to our anatomy being a fairly strong argument, even though it is ultimately subjective in the end. Hope this helps others, too. 👍🏼

[@WahrheitMachtFrei.]

@@JustinOstrander 🤘