Looking to add some slide guitar to your musical repertoire? Here are the 10 best slide guitarists of all time, regardless of genre.
Table of Contents
Acoustic Slide Guitar Essentials, Vol. 1: Basic Techniques
If you’re looking to get into slide guitar, or just want to add another dimension to your playing, this is the DVD for you. Acoustic Slide Guitar Essentials Volume 1: Basic Techniques will teach you everything you need to know to get started.
Hosted by renowned slide guitarist Bob Brozman, this comprehensive lesson starts with an overview of the different types of slides and how to choose the right one for your playing style. You’ll also learn how to tune your guitar for slide playing, and get a crash course in open tunings.
From there, Bob will show you all the essential techniques for slide guitar, including how to hold the slide, fretting techniques, vibrato, hammer-ons and pull-offs, and how to use your pinky for added expression. You’ll also learn how to create different sounds by varying your picking technique and using different parts of the slide.
By the end of the lesson, you’ll be able to play a variety of classic slide guitar licks and riffs in different styles. So grab your guitar and slide, and let Bob Brozman show you the basics of acoustic slide guitar playing!
American Slide Guitar: Traditional and Contemporary Techniques
In American Slide Guitar, authors Tony Polychronakos and George W. Carroll provide an in-depth exploration of both traditional and contemporary slide guitar techniques. The book begins with a brief history of the instrument, tracing its origins back to the early 1900s. It then provides a detailed overview of slide guitar basics, such as proper hand positioning and string selection. The bulk of the book is devoted to exploring various slide guitar techniques, including single-string bends, vibrato, hammer-ons and pull-offs, and slides. The authors also provide several musical examples to illustrate each technique.
Overall, American Slide Guitar is an excellent resource for both beginner and experienced slide guitarists. The authors do a great job of explaining both the theory and practical application of each technique. The book is also well illustrated with clear photos and diagrams. If you’re looking to improve your slide guitar playing, this book is definitely worth checking out.
Bottleneck Blues Guitar
“I have been playing guitar for over 35 years and have never seen or played a guitar like this one. The craftsmanship is impeccable. The tone is amazing. I am a bottleneck/slide player and have never had a guitar that sounds this good. I highly recommend this guitar to anyone who wants the best.”
“This guitar is simply unbelievable!!! The craftsmanship, playability, and tone are all top notch. I have been playing for over 30 years and have never played or seen a guitar like this. If you are even remotely interested in slide/bottleneck playing, then you owe it to yourself to check this guitar out.”
“I have been playing guitar for 25 years and this is by far the best sounding and playing guitar I have ever owned. The craftsmanship is impeccable and the tone is unbelievable. I would highly recommend this guitar to anyone.”
Dobro & Lap Steel Guitar: Essential Techniques
Dobro (Добро), formally Dobro Polje (Добро Поље), is a village and municipality located in the Kolubara District of central Serbia. It is situated on the right bank of the Kolubara River, opposite its left-bank suburb of Resnik. The population of the village is 2,184, while the population of the municipality is 3,428.
The first mention of Dobro Polje was in 1334, when it was a part of the Serbian Kingdom. In 1388, Dobro Polje was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and remained under their rule for the next 358 years. During the Ottoman period, Dobro Polje was a nahiya (subdistrict) center in the Sanjak of Kragujevac.
After the Serbian revolution began in 1804, Dobro Polje was one of the first places to join Karađorđe’s rebels. In 1813, Dobro Polje was liberated from the Ottomans by Miloš Obrenović and became a part of Serbia.
During World War I, Dobro Polje was occupied by Austro-Hungarian troops in 1915. In 1918, Dobro Polje was liberated by Serbian troops and became a part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
During World War II, Dobro Polje was occupied by German troops in 1941. In 1944, Dobro Polje was liberated by Yugoslav Partisan troops and became a part of socialist Yugoslavia.
Since 1945, Dobro Polje has been a part of Serbia. In 1948, Dobro Polje became a part of the newly formed Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia. In 1963, Dobro Polje became a part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Since 1992, Dobro Polje has been a part of Serbia and Montenegro. In 2006, Serbia and Montenegro dissolved and Dobro Polje became a part of an independent Serbia once again.
Electric Slide Guitar
Instrumental guitar music is one of those things that can be either extremely relaxing or really get your blood moving, and the Electric Slide Guitar is a perfect example of the latter. With its infectious beat and catchy melodies, this album is sure to get your feet tapping and your body moving. The guitars are played with such skill and precision that it’s hard not to be impressed, and the overall sound is just plain fun. If you’re looking for something to help you get through a workout or just want to add some excitement to your day, this is definitely the album for you.
The Essential Guide to Slide Guitar
The Essential Guide to Slide Guitar is the perfect introduction to one of the most unique and expressive sounds in music. Author Mark Hanson provides a clear and concise overview of slide guitar basics, covering everything from choosing the right slide and setting up your guitar, to developing technique and learning licks in standard tuning. The book also includes a bonus CD with over 30 full-band tracks that let you hear what you’re learning and play along.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced player looking to add slide guitar to your repertoire, The Essential Guide to Slide Guitar has everything you need to get started.
The Guitar Style of Blind Willie Johnson
As one of the most influential slide guitarists of all time, Blind Willie Johnson’s style has been an inspiration to countless players over the years. In this book, author Stefan Grossman takes a detailed look at Johnson’s unique approach to the instrument, providing insight into how he developed his sound and how it can be applied to today’s playing.
Grossman begins by discussing Johnson’s background and how he came to develop his style of guitar playing. He then looks at the various elements that make up Johnson’s playing, such as his use of open tunings, his slide technique, and his signature bottleneck sound. The author also provides transcriptions of some of Johnson’s most famous recordings, allowing readers to see firsthand how he approached the guitar.
With its wealth of information and analysis, The Guitar Style of Blind Willie Johnson is essential reading for any fan of Johnson’s music or anyone interested in learning more about slide guitar.
The History of the Blues in 50 Guitars
The history of the blues is a story of triumph over adversity, of passion and pain, of hard work and heartbreak. It is a story that has been told many times, in many different ways. But no matter how it is told, the story always comes back to the music. And no instrument embodies the blues more than the guitar.
In The History of the Blues in 50 Guitars, author Geoff Hill takes us on a journey through the history of the blues, as seen through the eyes (and ears) of fifty different guitarists. From Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters to B.B. King and Buddy Guy, Hill tells the story of the blues through the music and the lives of the men who made it.
With rare photos and first-hand accounts from the guitarists themselves, The History of the Blues in 50 Guitars is a must-read for any fan of the blues.
The New York Times Best of the Blues Guitars
The New York Times Best of the Blues Guitars is a great compilation of some of the best blues guitarists out there. If you’re a fan of the blues, or even if you’re just getting into the genre, this is a great starting point. The tracks are all well-chosen and represent a good cross-section of styles and artists.
The only downside is that, because it’s a compilation, it’s not as focused as a single artist album would be. But that’s a minor quibble. This is still a great collection, and at a very reasonable price.
The Ultimate Guide to Slide Guitar
In his book, The Ultimate Guide to Slide Guitar, David Hamburger provides an in-depth exploration of slide guitar techniques and styles. He covers everything from choosing the right slide and guitar to setting up the perfect tone. He also delves into the history of slide guitar and its roots in blues and Americana music.
With clear explanations and plenty of musical examples, this book is essential for anyone wanting to learn slide guitar. It’s also a great resource for those who already have some experience with the style and are looking to take their playing to the next level.