Warren Haynes on Slide Guitar in Standard Tuning | Reverb Interview

Warren Haynes, of Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers Band, sat down with Reverb to discuss his slide playing. While most players will apply slide techniques to an open tuning, Warren prefers to play his slide guitar in standard tuning. In this video, Warren shares a few go-to positions and licks for slide guitar in standard tuning.
Read more about Warren Haynes and Slide Guitar at bit.ly/2rTZgQM.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Warren is so awesome. His phrasing is almost unparalleled regardless of whether he is playing slide or not. Also his musical vocabulary is insanely deep. Not to mention he's a genuinely nice guy. When I was about 14 my dad took me to my first Allman Bros show and we were front row center and I was in heaven and Warren saw how much fun I was having and had a roadie grab an Eat A Peach shirt and bring it to him and him and Dickey signed it and he reached down off the stage and handed it to me along with a pick from him and Dickey both. I still have all that stuff too. That was in about 1996 or so. He's still one of my favorite players today

[@imjusthereforthefood8156]

what a story. thx for sharing

[@hammer44head]

Great story Duck!!

[@logansams1559]

Awesome story! You and I are about the same age. My story isnt as cool. Just watching them play on PBS, probably was Austin City Limits. I was 14-15 and was in awe!

[@DavidSmith-tw7ii]

Amazing. I saw my first Allman show in 97 with my dad. I was 17.

[@melvinjames1077]

thats the stuff to remember

[@jakemitchell1671]

His complete control over his instrument is just amazing. Notice how clean and concise everything is. Not ONE tone or overtone out of place. This is mastery, folks.

[@johnvcougar]

Great ear, and everything else! Great stuff.

[@rlee6503]

addition to what Warren said: the DGB notes together (2nd 3rd and 4th strings) form a major chord, movable anywhere up down the neck. The GBE notes together (1st 2nd and 3rd strings) form a minor chord. again movable up and down the neck. on any given fret, the minor chord is the relative minor to major chord. ie 5th fret major is C, and the minor is am. Love Warrens playing, both w/ fingers and slide. Also great songwriter.

[@maxpuppy96]

I like Warren slide better than Derek's, Derek's great don't get me wrong, but as far flavor and color and style Warren is a little less chaotic and there is more time between notes.

[@hardluckharris]

Mark Nairn I agree. I got cursed out by several people for saying this somewhere else. I think Dereks style is too busy. but that's an opinion.

[@Knight14649]

hardluck 1995 -I'm partial to Sonny Landreth. He is just amazing.

[@maxpuppy96]

he is amazing underrated and overlooked

[@darrinros7518]

Sonny is the best. Hands down with Cooter the two of them. Monsters. Landreth is the best, in my opinion.

[@brianrodman1033]

Warren Haynes is the nicest and most generous musician I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Back in October of 2003 I went to see Gov’t Mule & Chris Robinson’s New Mud Earth at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, ON. Afterward I was invited to join a small group to meet the band (Gov’t Mule). Everyone introduced themselves before retiring for some well earned rest. Warren stayed and hung out with us for what must have been close to an hour. That’s one memory that I will never forget and always cherish.

[@mr.jazzbodkelsey58]

He's a straight boss! I got to meet Matt Abts in Oakland, Ca. After one of the most amazing sets I ever witnessed. Never had the pleasure of meeting Warren, but hope to some day. They honestly keep getting better every show!!

[@amalfi460]

He was my cousin Johnny Neel’s guitarist back in the late 80’s and my band was a Led Zeppelin cover band and when we were done he came up to me and was the most sincere person telling me how good my tone was....then he set up his amps next to mine and I didn’t know he was a guitarist but after the first song he played I quickly realized he was in an entire different league than me lol.... he was absolutely awesome

[@oicsaywhat]

The most humble and nicest musician you’ll ever meet

[@captainkangaroo4301]

I've loved Warrens playing since he was about 21. The first time I saw him was at a biker rally way back when he played in David Allen Coe's band. I was fortunate enough to sit on the bus with him and Allen Woody for an extended smoke out and jam session 25 years ago. He's always been most gracious.

[@jonneal7163]

Really, document that!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

@@jonneal7163 I really don’t know how I would document it other than to say the other friends from Minneapolis who were on the bus with me behind the Cabooze bar were John Alegre (big John), Melony Brunell and Jim Schwartzbauer (Grateful Jim). Jimmy presented Woody with a tie died mushroom tapestry. He was one of the finest shirt makers on Dead tour for many years.

[@chrissiler6075]

I've seen Derek and Warren play live in Allmans and TTB and his band The Mule. I love when they're so into the other's solo where they just focus and you will see a shake of the head or a smile. I love these times in my life.

[@TheDonzim]

Met Warren when Govt Mule first starting in a little bar. he was coming in with his drummer. I chatted with him outside,and he was just as cool and low key. No rockstar syndrome here ,just a regular fellow playing another show.

[@jameschant2740]

Warren's such a good teacher. Really imparts confidence and modesty.

[@jokermaan1]

A great talent whether on slide or not. One of the best players around today, in my opinion and always comes over as a real genuine, down to earth guy too.

[@RenanBeltrao]

My favorite guitarist of all time... just love everything about his music, and also love the dude, such a down to earth man.

[@dgrizzley]

I've had the pleasure of hanging out with Warren dozens of times. It's a long story but I used to work in the business as a visual artist. He is one of the most genuine, friendly and kind spirited Men you will ever meet. No pretense, no attitude, he treats everyone with respect. I really think that's one of the reasons why his music is so amazing and pure.

[@Flare4roach]

Seems like the coolest guy in rock and roll. Never heard a bad thing about the man nor have I ever heard him trash anybody else. Love his playing and attitude as a person. (Oh yeah...Mick Taylor occasionally played in standard. Surprised Warren didn't mention him.)

[@KTMBB71]

Right on. My long story short Warren very gracious guy, Greg Allman not so much.

[@cliffbungalow9373]

Mick Taylor usually played in standard tuning for the same reason, not having to change guitars. However, his most famous performance is Love In Vain which is in open G on the Les Paul he and KR shared on the 69 tour. That performance was in Baltimore not at MSG. There are bootlegs of the Baltimore show and the song is exactly like what‘s on Ya Yas.

[@archiguitarchi]

Played exclusively blues for a twelve year hitch out of my 55 years on stage, and Warren, you used to make me CRAZY because you emulate the half step pull up's and downs that are SO open E. In all these years I just never was able to be that precise and quick. I still try really hard, but slide in open E is so much easier. If I was 50 instead of 70 I'd tune in open E and try to lean how to play conventionally, sort of like (the ever so brilliant) Derek Trucks. Love the way you play. I wish I could tell you in person.

[@kevinkeegan1357]

Wow, so cool. Love the little tidbit about Duane mostly playing in open E except for dreams and mountain jam

[@chucklakeridge7944]

This man is a National Treasure.

[@VonBluesman]

Warren can use open, standard, Eb, and any other tuning know to mankind, he is going to sound awesome singing and playing no matter what he does, he is a super total musician loaded with talent. Let your light shine Brother !!!

[@ericcongdon]

I took this advice years ago and really learned slide in standard tuning, everything he says here is spot on, of course. Such a fantastic musician

[@slow-mo_moonbuggy]

I loved when Warren Haynes played the Father on the television show Rosanne.

[@Chris-tc7gk]

Hahah, brilliant in the Big Lebowski too.

[@geraldfriend256]

@@Chris-tc7gk Warren is half that character half The Dude

[@ski3504]

Warren is without a doubt my favorite guitar player and songwriter today. Such a talent!

[@timesink8947]

Adore the man, adore the playing, but oh my god that guitar is so pretty

[@jmack619]

thank you Mr Haynes. sorry about the loss of your good friend

[@greatbigbengaltiger]

jmack619 who?

[@drakespears6907]

John Conaty Gregg Allman

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Warren was a primary motivator for me to start playing slide during the year I myself began playing guitar. The parts he played when the Allman Brothers Band took the stage at Municipal Stadium in September 1995 totally knocked my socks off. Same for his smooth switches between the slide and his fingertips.

[@stephenr1999]

This is what Mr. Haynes one of the best. He took the time to sit down and give us this info. Thank you sir.

[@thegaragesessionproject274]

He is one of my favorite guitarists. The sound is clear and has a powerful sound.

[@kirklorange]

I'm with you Warren, I also tried all the open tunings years ago but went back to standard when I got tired of hearing those same old licks emerging. You also admire the same sliders as I do: Lowell, Ry and David. I got up with Don Felder in Calgary a few years ago. A while later he did an interview for Premier Guitar and mentioned me when asked if he admired any other sliders out there, other than Duane Allman. I was more than pleased, of course. Very cool to hear your take on it.

[@ericcrapton2623]

I use an insulin bottle as a slide just hold it not stick finger inside

[@maximarzfender59]

Hey Kirk No Apostrophe still rocks !!!

[@Baci302]

I understand Ry to play mostly in open tunings. Am I wrong about that?

[@mmmatthewww]

@Kirk Lorange - Just in case anyone isn't familiar with Kirk Lorange, (I believe he lives in Australia) it is worth the time checking out his playing style. There are many videos of him on KZbin and he also has a tutorial website. You would have to consider him among the elite of the sliders, although he is probably not as well known as many of the the others. He's a standard tuning player, but always with a drop-D on the low E-string.

[@mmmatthewww]

Bonnie Raitt should always be included in the conversation about elite slide guitarists. She has great tone & phrasing, and creates parts & solos that play to the song.

[@Fugettaboutit]

I remember when Hayes first started playing with the Allman's...of course they had some really good players before after Duane, like Jack Pearson who's a fabulous player. But when Warren came along, it felt as if he was a hot rod created in a lab to be in the Allman's. Not because he was robotic, but his incredible slide and standard playing, and of course his voice. It was as if the Allman's got this extra dimension, but it was completely in tune with their vibe. It's like 'who is this young guy who sounds like he was born to be in this band?'. 'Blue Sky' suddenly took on this immense power, I remember first noticing.

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

I like to be able to use both standard and open tunings. It is great to be able to play in any key, which you can do in any tuning ut standard lends itself to weird keys. Good to know the essential intervals in several tunings

[@TheOlesarge]

This dude is awesome. His introduction to slide was exactly the same as mine. I play mostly in standard now after having dabbled in open E or open G because I was "supposed to". I play in standard for the same reason as his; it's a whim, or it allows me to play the song in the notes that I'm accustomed too. It's all good, though, slide is awesome. Haynes is an incredible musician.

[@jacobvieira1338]

What a beautiful demonstration and explanation....what a beautiful man

[@jakemitchell1671]

I"ve been playing guitar 40 years. The vast majority of that has been conventional "regular" guitar. However, I did learn to play lap steel along the way, and then about a year ago I started making a serious foray into slide. In my humble opinion, if a player takes on slide after he/she has been playing regular guitar for years, standard tuning makes so much more sense than open. That's not to say one shouldn't learn open tunings - heck, we should always strive to grow and expand into new musical directions - but that slide guitar is MUCH easier to learn when you already know the notes and patterns. Trying to learn the touch, intonation, angles, muting, and vibrato is plenty difficult enough. Trying to deal with unfamiliar tunings at the same time just adds an unnecessary layer of difficulty.

[@ivanwesley8182]

This guy rarely gets mentioned in the “great guitarist “ discussions, but he can do it all, Warren doesn’t take a back seat to anyone

[@welldonebrainn]

Steve Gaines played slide in standard tuning on "T for Texas," and I believe standard in his song "Alone in the Multitude." Unfortunately because Steve's career was so short and he died so young, he doesn't get talked about a lot. His slide sound was very cool.

[@donnievick3076]

Steve could play with the best of them.

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

Whose version of T for Texas?

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Do It Now! video's yeah! Skynryrd

[@lucasshelton3192]

Steve Gaines has got to be one of the most underrated guitarist of all time. Along with Allen Collins and Gary Rossington. If the plane crash hadn’t have happened all 3 of those guys would be as popular as Jimmy Page and Clapton. The song That Smell is proof that they had advanced so well.

[@colbertpetros2145]

@@doitnowvideosyeah5841 This one i think he talks about : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWO7gKltir2DnK8

[@candicestevens2389]

I didnt know who he was until I saw him with the Allman brothers many years ago when Derek Trucks was still a little kid on stage. Warren's one of my most favorite especially now that Johnny Winter is gone,very underrated!

[@angusseletto1511]

Warren is awesome it's friggin hard to play slide in Standard tuning,well it is for me and my posse.Great player and so humble.Great to listen to so wise

[@Ndlanding]

Leave yer posse, get off yer hoss and drink your milk, cowboy! It ain't hard if yer ears ain't bin shot off!

[@n0-one0]

I love his voice. Never heard him speak before.

[@Dang...]

Warren is one of the greats.

[@blacktoothfox677]

The best guitarists go their own way. Phenom on the fretboard, this one.

[@moreblack]

Been hearing a lot of Warren on the radio lately since he plays the slide solo on Back To The River by The Pretty Reckless. Brilliant playing as usual.

[@carpo719]

Awesome . I'm learning slide after 30 years of guitar. Finally. And sticking to standard tuning. Wondered how others felt about it too

[@ingonowack3839]

Well, could be a little late, but I still think it`s well worth mentioning and considering the UK singer-songwriter Chris Rea from Middlesbrough in North-Yorkshire, the artist who gifted this world with that fabulous and famous song "Driving home for Chrismas"! He also is capable of doing some great slide guitar and I personally think, there`s absolutely no reason for him to hide himself for Warren Haynes and all the other great slide guitar heroes he mentioned in this interview! Why not give Chris Rea a good chance and listen to his profession and passion!

[@jimlocke8281]

I gave Warren my last Coricidin bottle. I'd read where he had one stolen from the set of their Unplugged experience; besides, he could use it a lot better than I could! He was such a gentleman when he invited me backstage to personally thank me. And in fact, took a picture I had of Dickey and got him to sign it for me. (I asked how Dickey was doing and he just shook his head.) Anyway, Warren is the coolest!!

[@JIMJAMSC]

Started playing around 14 and 2 yrs later EVH changed the rules. The only slide guitarist I knew was Foghat's. It was not until I was 45 that I bought a National resonator and learned slide in open D. Going to and from Les Pauls/Fenders to the resonator is like holding a 57 Chevy and playing telephone lines!! I really wanna learn standard.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

What an absolutely gorgeous guitar

[@supermanwithsilvergun4679]

Late to the slide party, here. I know who the Allman brothers are, but never listened to them growing up. As a 80's and 90's kid, I started paying attention to music in my teens just as grunge was handing the baton to alt rock. The bands that perked my ears to slide were Tonic and STP, both of which probably got all their influence from the players discussed here. The thing was, I never really took the first step to even buy a slide for a few bucks because I thought you HAD to play in open tunings. This never interested me because it limited what you could play, or forced you to transpose a song if you wanted to add slide. Now that I realize it's possible, and that guys like Dean Deleo were actually adding slide melodies to a song in standard tuning, it's much more enticing. Just ordered a couple slides to find out what I like best. This video is a gold nugget!

[@graelhudek6638]

Excellent! One of my heroes!

[@MNGuitars]

great advice from the man himself

[@emilberbakov3817]

I didn't want this one to end!

[@robertaustin1945]

The man knows his stuff top notch guitar player

[@davidshields948]

Any way he plays it, it comes out Warren. My favourite guitarist.

[@2011littlejohn1]

Saw him playing Statesboro Blues with the Allman Brothers on a live clip - quite recent it was wonderful. Pleased to note that some of the things he recommended I had started to do.

[@grahamrowley1691]

Hey Warren, you are a good guy and a superb player. Best wishes forever!!!

[@rocknrollbob7199]

First time I saw the Allmans was in Telluride. After 3 1/2 days of rain and being wayyy too high for my own good...The clouds broke up just as the sun set. I'll never forget the "Duels" with him and Dickey. Warren outplayed him by a mile.

[@freespiritsguitar2871]

One of my favourite slide player! Love it!

[@janedoe3570]

Such an amazing player man, I got excited when I saw this had been uploaded

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

Hugely underrated guitarist in my opinion.

[@MikaelLewisify]

Underrated by whom? He’s one of the most respected guitarists around.

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

@@MikaelLewisify Who said he wasn't respected?

[@MikaelLewisify]

@@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin isn't that pretty much the same as underrated?

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

@@MikaelLewisify Not really in my opinion, you could be a complete virtuoso and rated as the best ever and still act like an asshole which makes people not respect you. I just feel like I haven't heard anyone except other guitarists give Haynes any shine, kind of like Rory Gallagher. Most people don't know them but their fellow musicians adore them.

[@justiceforall6412]

The great George Harrison played most of his slide stuff in standard tuning. Once you get a feel for it, it's not as hard as one might think.

[@Ndlanding]

It isn't hard at all, and opens a million doors. Unless you want to play "Dust My Broom" all your bloody life!

[@justiceforall6412]

@@Ndlanding I happen to agree, but I still know veteran players who are still fearful of touching a slide. They think I'm better than I am because I play it in standard. It really does open more doors, IMO.

[@James-gp1pm]

Great advice. Ive struggled with that very thing. Now I just play in standard. If its open G, sometimes I do five string, or open D ala Ry Cooder. Either way I feel I need other guitars so its easier just to play my strat in standard. Thank Warren.

[@Crashoverall]

very nice guitar playing. amazing

[@byrdz2313]

His stuff sounds so good

[@MothersGreen420]

Such a great guitar player.

[@johnthanks4724]

Warren you are the man!!! What a great talent

[@rogerbeaird5742]

Thanks warren you are one of my very best favorite artists I always wanted to meet you

[@engleharddinglefester4285]

Thanks for the tips. These guys get to tour where the rest of us have to stay home, so the advice for guitar players is much appreciated.

[@Ireland831]

Warren is simply the best player alive.

[@monmixer]

I play side in standard tuning with a limited band. Open G, E, D are also great tunings.

[@stephensmith799]

Lovely touch. I'm trying to slide in standard tuning and it is difficult (for me). But some unplanned stuff is coming out this route. It seems to be sort of riff-based.

[@jamesparker1063]

Slide isn't my mainstay, but I love it, time to time, where it fits good, musically...I also stayed standard, part out of laziness/stubborness (i.e. to retune my guitar), but also, like WH, to avoid the open tuning cliche's...one of my fave slide outings on record, was Glenn Frey, on "Is It True?" (from Eagles, "On The Border"), I think it's standard tuning, but I'm not certain...

[@Andrew-Gomez904]

more Warren Hayes please!

[@Andrew-Gomez904]

Brian Taylor my bad man, no need to be rude

[@wjniemi]

Watch the RH... very instructive. Great video.

[@johnlozano384]

I'm not sure if it's the same technique but Michael Lee Firkins is an awesome guitarist that can play like this, check him out if you haven't heard of him!

[@2112CO]

Such a beast on guitar and great singer

[@bryanmannoia8410]

great to hear from the legend himself, thanks.

[@leroy0053]

omfg warren is my hero....ima need about 14 more hours of this guys!!!! then after that the 25 hours of b footage yall edited out...

[@kevinr1808]

Warrens the king !!

[@blondeflame3261]

Legend.

[@saradamsmc]

Wish I could like this a thousand times

[@mikelikesguitaralot]

I believe Duane also played slide in standard tuning on Don't Keep me Wondering

[@HectorSuxxx69]

Love a good slide player tone!

[@jeffmilkey]

Thanks for the insight....much appreciated.

[@chyeaOGKush]

this dude is the real deal .. very human guy .. was actuallty introduced to him through patrice o neal and the opie and anthony show .. shoutouts to them ..

[@jojojosmart1]

thanks Warren- gives me hope.

[@markwathen7600]

One of the best. 🎵🎶

[@albertomartinez2479]

Warren live is an experience. His admiration of George Harrison is ever evident. He comes to Syracuse 420. Can't wait.

[@Ndlanding]

This guy knows what he's talking about! Me, I prefer the slide on my pinky so that I can switch to regular guitar and still have three fingers, but yeah, I have never played open tuning slide in my life (well, apart from a quick experiment. Only had one guitar, so fuck that!) Also, there are many tricks you can do, like angling the bottleneck to get certain note combinations which are impossible otherwise in straight tuning. Good video!!

[@MrBluzhound]

Missed Warren last Fri nite in Charlotte but will catch the Mule soon. Thank you -

[@johnparsons661]

I love Warren's slide playing. The word that comes to mind is smooth. Derek is a little rough.

[@cornfilledscreamer614]

Exactly. Surprised a bunch of Derek fans haven't crucified you for saying that, but Warren is a better slide player.

[@pauldiaz4273]

@@cornfilledscreamer614 by far, i think derek uses to much of his fingers while playing, causing a muffled sound unlike warren his playing with the pick is bright and clear and beautiful sounding. I’m talking about playing with out the bottleneck for both warren and derek.

[@sirfultonbishop]

Good stuff, Reverb! More please! Thank you.

[@MontyCantsin5]

I keep hearing Duane Allman being mentioned as one of the greatest slide guitarists ever although, admittedly, I haven't listened to much of his playing. Could someone point me in the direction of some of his slide playing that'll blow my mind?

[@JFraze5150]

Live at the Fillamore East - The whole album. Or Statesboro Blues if you want a single tune to try first. Or check out the Duane Allman Anthology for a mix of his session stuff at Muscle Shoals and early Allmans jams.

[@generalruckus]

Layla : Derek & the Dominoes

[@Theguyguy247]

Monty Cantsin and then check out Derek Trucks

[@MontyCantsin5]

Thanks all. I'll listen to those albums/songs soon.

[@MontyCantsin5]

I know Derek Truck's playing well. He's the modern master.

[@benatkinsguitar6537]

When such a strong player validates my own ideas on playing by supporting his doing so with the same rational as I, it's very reaffirming...thank you Mr Hayes... It would be great to hear as a follow up, more on your thoughts concerning phrasing choices ...hope the sun keeps shining through both your front and back door...

[@rich1891]

Grew up on the Allman Brothers band ☺️

[@patrickpalmer3374]

I have your book and I use to live in Asheville North Carolina. I'm still trying to get a sound out of my guitar.

[@w1ckedbackhand]

Thanks so much!!!

[@house-ghost]

This is awesome.

[@unclewillie1866]

Please don’t ever stop acting upon your musical whims Warren. Thanks 🙏

[@samuel.langhorne.clemens]

Great video and a great guy!

[@1rwjwith]

I agree 100%….I use open G some but I play more it regular standard on slide…sometimes it’s easier for some songs. I think a lot of George Harrison’s work on slide was in standard although he utilized in open on a few recorded occasions. If your the only guitar in a band and don’t want to haul 2 or 3 guitars to a gig or retune , standard is a no brainer. There is a solution in some Modeling Guitars that you can access open tunings on like the LINE 6 models but some of the tunings or the “models” don’t sound as good to me as a real opened tuned guitars. Someone should come up with a pedal or a bridge that allows a guitar to go instantly into an open tuning! After all they have the D- tuna for dropped D on EVH Floyd Roses…if the same principle could be used on other strings besides the low E you could go into Open G or D, open E would be a problem because strings have to go up not down. Mr. Haynes is a master!

[@Twirlyhead]

Very informative.

[@stephenoshea218]

simply awesome

[@Buelligan88]

Excellent explanation.