Which Finger Do You Use For Slide? | Blues Slide Guitar Tips

🔴Sign Up For My Course, "How To Play Slide Guitar" - www.udemy.com/...
In this video, I discuss the most common fingers to use for slide playing and the pros and cons.
🎸 SUBSCRIBE for more guitar videos: goo.gl/D4w8aF
🎶 GET MY BACKING TRACKS:gumroad.com/rj...
👕 BUY MERCH HERE: goo.gl/Uye7mA
❓ WANNA KNOW MORE ABOUT ME?: • RJ Ronquillo's Journey...
🔴If you'd like to support my channel, please visit
my PATREON page: / rjronquillo
🤘BIG THANK YOU! TO:
Adam C.
Andrew F.
Ben H.
Bob K.
Geoff R.
Isaac J.
James S.
John F.
John H.
Joseph M.
Kent H.
Kevin B.
Kirk R.
Lonnie Z.
Michael B.
Phillip F.
Steve K.
Thomas R.
Vince R.
=================================
FOLLOW ME
=================================
🔴 Instagram - / rj_ronquillo
🔴 Facebook - / officialrjronquillo
=================================
My Gear
=================================
★ Two Notes Torpedo Live Digital Loadbox/Speaker Simulator - amzn.to/2Lurk57
★ Cioks DC-10 Power Supply - amzn.to/2wewNbF
★ D'Addario NYXL Strings - amzn.to/2woiH6K
★ Picks! Dunlop Tortex TIII, Purple, 1.14mm - amzn.to/2BUkQ06
★ Sinasoid Cables - www.sinasoid.com
★ Vertex Effects - www.vertexeffe... (USE CODE "RJ-VERTEX" FOR DISCOUNT)
★ Universal Audio Apollo 8 TB interface - amzn.to/2FdDX6R
=================================
Camera Gear
=================================
★ Sony A7III - amzn.to/2qz73Dv
★ Canon EOS M6 Mirrorless - amzn.to/2Lyjt6y
★ Canon EOS Rebel T5i - amzn.to/2wojxAq
★ Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens - amzn.to/2BR54De
★ GoPro HERO6 - amzn.to/2JOjRyM
★ Rode VideoMic - amzn.to/2wp0Uwg
★ Rode VideoMicro - amzn.to/2SXkAlb
★ LimoStudio Lighting Kit - amzn.to/2MWC80D

[@blues61]

Nice work RJ. I wear my slide on my pinky. Years ago, I got an excellent tip at a slide workshop from guitarist David Hamburger. He told me to use the three fingers behind the slide in a solid block to form a "bridge" from the slide to the fretboard. The index finger just lightly touches the strings and the ring finger sits almost atop the back of the slide. This accomplishes three things. It improves the stability of the slide. It reduces the fatigue of your pinky and fretting hand because your entire hand is supporting the weight of the slide (this is the biggest benefit for me). And, the index finger dampens the length of string behind the slide which eliminates unwanted overtones (but if you like it nasty, just lift the index finger off the strings...).

[@5urg3x]

Thank you bro. You have no idea how many “learn to play slide” videos there are where they don’t even touch the topic of what finger to use and why.

[@corvdb8600]

Yeah, pinky for multitasking but middle finger is the most emotional.

[@groovydjs]

For me, middle finger, standard tuning, regular (low) setup, Dunlop chrome plated slide and 9's on 25.5" scale guitars.

[@alsacrime4806]

Pinky finger. 11/16” Sears Craftsman long socket. Flatwound 012-.014 High action DGDGBD low to high. Strat/2 compressors/Fender amp.

[@saddestchord7622]

Pfft. A real pro uses Snap-on slides/sockets.

[@alsacrime4806]

I know what works. Do what the fuck you want. I don’t turn wrenches, I play guitar.

[@bradumberger2141]

R.J...I put away my guitars some 20 odd years ago and just recently started playing again. It really frustrating not being able to play like I use to. Watching you and LISTENING to you has helped me tremendously. And I just wanted to thank you and to keep up the great work you're doing it's VERY much appreciated

[@hobinlobo]

The other important question is whether you have the slide just above your knuckle, or whether the slide goes all the way to the bottom of your finger. I notice that most people with the slide on their 3rd finger have the slide above the knuckle, while the people using the slide on the little finger tend to have the slide over the whole finger. But there are exceptions. I think Ariel Polsen and Muddy Waters both have the slide on their little finger, but above the knuckle. I think Warren Haynes and Samantha Fish seem to have the slide over the whole finger, despite using their 3rd finger. (Though I have also seen Samantha Fish use the slide on her little finger too.) I find having the slide above the knuckle puts the hand/wrist in a much more comfortable position - but I haven't yet found a slide small enough to use on my little finger above the knuckle.

[@Mistertbones]

The late, great Rory Gallagher used both his pinky and his ring finger. He used ring finger for glass slides, and pinky for metal slides.

[@zackamania6534]

I like using my middle finger because I can make all my major and minor chord shapes

[@Kendrix_76]

I've trained myself to use my pinkey finger AND ring finger. Depends on the style and song I'm playing.

[@TheZooropaBaby]

my favorite player in the past was the Edge and he used middle finger so I tried to replicate that for a while then I found it impossible so I settled on ring finger now....

[@ParanoidGoblinoid]

ty RJ!

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Only 54 views and 2 likes after almost four weeks - wtf? I would think this subject would have more interest. As an aging player, getting some arthritis, it's becoming imperative for me to overcome my lack of slide technique. Also, slide guitar has always been my favorite sound. Thank you for making these videos RJ - you deserve way more views. People like you, Josh Smith, and a few (dozen) others are a huge help for aspiring guitar players. Thanks to youtube, there are more good guitar players now than ever. I can't even imagine playing like you or Josh or Guthrie Trapp (another favorite), but I can still have fun playing, which is what it's all about anyways. Ever since I found your videos through Guild guitars, I've watched them all, or most anyways, many of them a few (dozen) times.........!

[@RJRonquillo]

HI David! At the time of this comment, the video is still private and only seen by my Patreon folks and early bird listers, so thank you for being one, and thank you for your support. You guys get to see it earlier than the public!

[@mikebes5]

That photo! 🤘

[@RJRonquillo]

Yours.

[@fishypaw]

I was experimenting recently with different slide styles. One odd one I tried was slide on index finger, guitar flat on lap, and using pinky to play bass notes. Took a little getting used to, especially with pinky on bass strings, but I quite liked it. I'm still not sure about upright style. I switch between having slide on ring and pinky depending on mood and what I'm trying to play.

[@CensureAsylum]

The (index) - weding ring finger is the most comfortable and affords better fretting options.

[@ratfink13fan51]

Thank you 😊

[@jagsoultv]

Another great vid, thnx man.. I appreciate what ur doin.. Ur playing is incredible every time :)

[@MrAMF50]

Thanks, this really helped me.

[@jamesschrader4293]

Followed you from Guitar fetish.... You my friend are great ... Guitar Fetish sells Junk however IMO . Happy Turkey Day early !

[@joeyskar]

I go over the neck and hold it between my fingers like a joint. I keep a piece of velcro on it and keep it on the body of my guitar.

[@mikewentworth9819]

TPS shirt......I love those chaps.

[@baDWolf_75]

LOVIN THE NEW GRAPHICS!!

[@kyleconner38]

I like the fun facts you throw in about other slide players like what finger Derek Trucks prefers, etc... Who btw is amazing! Can you throw in some little signature lick tutorials? :D

[@mrkid1027]

Turning 15, going on my first gig with my new band! Playing superstition by Stevie wonder and of course house of the rising sun. Might try “crossroads” sometime. BTW I love these vids, The are a great help!

[@jackcompton8752]

Thanks for info! How does slide material (glass, brass, steel, bone) figure into the equation? Drive on

[@rixyarbrough1702]

So hyped for your course, i have a few lapsteels but im not any good at it ;)

[@paulcowart3174]

I'm a middle finger guy and prefer standard tuning with my guitar set up to play slide and fingerstyle No guitar set up specifically for slide I like the action up anyways More tension better sustain better tone IMO No butter action for me lol 😁

[@Icisex]

U can make from Chrom pipe

[@bradmcclure4945]

yes, please very interested

[@PooNinja]

i just use a Bic lighter when I slide and ..it shows :(

[@garycurtis5135]

I appreciate the slide tips RJ 👍, looking forward to your course. On one of your recent Saturday morning coffee chats you mentioned a brand of slide you loved. What was that? I hope it's ok to ask that here 😉

[@RJRonquillo]

I like glass slides by Diamond Bottlenecks and a magnesium slide by MagSlide.

[@garycurtis5135]

Thx bud!

[@REBELSCL]

When I started playing guitar again “thanks Covid“, I bought two slides. Both were MagSlide Magnesium slides.. (really lightweight) ..one pinky finger and one ring finger. From a rational standpoint I really would prefer to use my pinky finger in that it leaves me three other fingers to use as I wish. I am older and regrettably arthritic. Using the slide on my pinky finger feels unsteady and weak. Using a slide on my ring finger feels quite secure and very steady. I realize the obvious answer is to use my ring finger, but I really really want to end up using my pinky. Any recommendations for strengthening my pinky finger?

[@wyrdedwurd]

Robert Johnson?! You got some secret footage from someone's basement? Bro, there are only a couple of photos of the guy and he ain't wearin a slide in either one of em.

[@jowensoderlund]

Nice shirt!

[@kane6529]

RJ what do you think about the Capo's with Risers on them? The dunlop slide converter

[@JeffAulich]

Just curious, where do you wear the slide on your finger? Like all the way down to the knuckle, or just to the second joint? I find that if I’m standing, I can’t play it down to the knuckle, I have to just go to the second joint in order to wrap my fingers around the neck all the way. Just curious if you has any thoughts on this.

[@RJRonquillo]

Good question, most of my slides go down to the knuckle.

[@Alex-ze9tv]

You didn’t list what slides you used in the video in the description.

[@redrum22]

Whats the song at the outtro? Great lesson as always :)

[@RJRonquillo]

Just an improvised jam

[@Billsingsong]

What about George Harrison

[@kevinallison2227]

Thank you one of the best to use the slide.

[@danpeabody5687]

Okay RJ standard tuning or a g or an e? or do you simply use all the above depending on what you're playing

[@RJRonquillo]

Yes i use both.

[@churchmouse2146]

He says Robert Johnson first 🔥

[@thepostapocalyptictrio4762]

Team pinky-slide here

[@omarmunozcastorena4466]

Be careful with putting it on the middle finger, i almost have to go to the Doctor!

[@TOADALLY123]

I use my tongue 👅

[@edwincrain986]

I totally have stabbed myself playing slide.. It's not fun.