Re: Bottleneck question


"RichL" <rpleavitt@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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Lee <me@localhost> wrote:
"RichL" <rpleavitt@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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Lee <me@localhost> wrote:
I am learning All along the Watchtower and this version has a slide
section in it. It starts at fret 15 > 2 on the D,G,B strings and I
was hoping to eventually play it on the 12 string setting on my
Variax.

Problem is the wound strings sound terrible (Elixir Electric 10's).

I never played bottleneck before so is it worth sticking with this
and practicing more or is it a waste of time and always going to
sound bad on wound strings?

Are you muting the strings behind the slide (i.e., between the slide
and the nut)?



No I have not tried that yet?

Yeah, that's an important part of it. You wouldn't think that would
make that much of a difference, but it does. If for instance you've got
the slide on your ring finger, place your middle finger immediately
behind it making contact with all the strings. It feels very awkward at
first, but you'll get used to doing it.

Another thing you might want to experiment with is using your right-hand
fingers (assuming you're playing a right-handed guitar) to mute the
strings that aren't being played.

There are basically three important elements in slide playing that don't
matter so much in conventional playing:

- Elimination of those extraneous string noises, i.e., muting.

- Figuring out what the right pressure is to exert with the slide upon
the strings

- Hitting the note pitches correctly. Here, you'll be better off in the
long run if you use your ears to tell whether the pitch is correct
rather than visually trying to line the slide up with frets.

It may not feel like it now, but it will all come with practice.



It's the lack of muting that was causing the problem, now with some practice
that nice roller coaster sound from the tune should be possible, thanks.


.

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