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Slide Scrape

Posted by Mike Burch on September 5, 2014 at 2:34pm in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts

When moving between frets I can hear the scrape of the slide along the string. More so on the bass string and not at all on the high string, it is most noticeable when amplified. I've tried lifting off entirely between frets but I get a ringing or buzz from the string vibrating against the slide as I lift it. I use a metal socket on my ring finger using my middle finger to dampen behind the slide. I try to use as light a pressure as I can. Is this normal, is it not enough pressure, is the type of slide?

I want to add I'm like a "how do I hold this thing" level of beginner here.

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Replies

  • Ron "Oily" Sprague September 13, 2014 at 2:37am
    It's called "growl" or "grind." If you listen to the old bluesmen, you'll find many of them playing on the first two unwound strings, so no grind, and because those two strings give you a pureer tone with more high frequencies to cut through the noise of a juke joint. Later, with the advent of amplification, you find some players employing that grind from the wound strings as a technique, because it generates some overtones that sound pleasingly distorted. Some people like this tone, others do not. Using flatwounds (I've tried pretty much every string out there), I find I get a thin, unsatisfying high pitched tone that doesn't please me. I like grit and stink in my git tones. I also accept some slide bumps and rattles, due to my lack of practiced skill on slide. You need to decide, over time, and with practice, what you want to sound like. Are you trying for liquid Duane Allman mastery, basic chunk and grind, or pedal steel whine? Or a combination of all three unique to your DNA?
  • Patrick Curley September 12, 2014 at 11:44pm
    Hey Mike

    Skype me at patcurley@learncigarboxguitar.com and wel'll sort it out, no charge.
  • Patrick Curley September 12, 2014 at 6:47pm
    If you can hear the slide moving across the strings then it's moving too slowly. Just because you can play microtones with a slide doesn't mean that you should. Don't slide up to your note with trepidation, smash the bloody thing (there will be exceptions but treat them as such).
    There are 12 notes in western music, limit yourself to them. Move between them quickly and the scraping sound will still be there but for such a short time compared to the actual note you want to hear that it won't be a problem.
  • Mike Burch September 12, 2014 at 12:39pm

    Thanks for all the replys, they have been very helpful for sure. I'll just train my ear to accept it as part of the charm of this particular guitar and work with it. :)

  • Bad Finger (Eric) September 7, 2014 at 8:25pm

    Some people call it "growl".  And they practice and practice and practice and it is minimized.  But then when you want it, it is elusive and will only coax out when everything is right.

    I find some guitars highlight this scrap more than others and heavier gauge strings (and wound strings) scrape easier.  Bottom line is you have to decide whether to practice different techniques to minimize the sound if you don't like it, or find a way to make it an acceptable incorporation into the music you are playing.  This is all about where the player meets the guitar.

  • the anonymous pick September 5, 2014 at 9:25pm

    slide rattle  can  depend  on alot of things ..  different people  hold  it  at  different  angles     and with    different  fingers  . 

    even  different  slides  ..  if your angle  is  not  flat across   ,,   you    may   get   rattle on  either  end string  ,,     if  by  nature  you  cant  break  the habit  of your      finger  / wrist angle  ..  try a tapered slide  , like  a  bottle  neck  ..  try  it   both  ways  too. taperd  back  and  foward  . 

    some folks also     use   their    trail   fingers to  mute the strings  behind  the slide  abit  ..  because  you are bound to  get some rattle    no  matter  what  .  

     also  there  is the     "approach"   to  the  string     , i  say "approach"  because ; think   of the  slide  as an  airplane    landing   on the string    at an  angle,   and  approach  the  string as  such  ..this  will  reduce   rattle  .

       a head on  drop  is  more likely to  produce rattle ,

    the same  with  lift  off    . 

    bottom line  ,  the more  you  play ,  the more  you will  find  out  what works best   for you  . 

    it  will  get  better  . 

    then again  ..  some  folks  let  it  rattle away     and  call  it  "character"  ;-)

     that works too. 

    • smilingdog1 > the anonymous pick September 6, 2014 at 12:30am

      I agree with pick. There are so many variances involve in the transfer of sound through the strings that you should try a wide range of technique, different slides, types of strings and adjust your electronics if that's what you're using.

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