Guitarists! What finger do you put the bottleneck on for slide guitar?

Question

I've worked out some nice riffs from Robert Johnson songs, eg travellin riverside blues, but can't quite figure out how to do the twiddly embellishing bits at the same time. Should I use the slide on my index finger or ring finger or what? The bottleneck I have also seems a bit tight - only about half the finger fit in...

Answer 1

I play a little slide, and I use a "Johnny Winter" type slide- a 3/4" deepwell socket on my ring finger. You may want to check out your local Sears tool department- those Robert Johnson songs are tough, and that tells you just how good a player he really was...

Good Luck, Keep Playing
Seamus

Answer 2

Well, that's a real toss-up in my book. Here are my favorites based on styles: Rock/R&B: Duane Allman - no question, he took slide guitar where it had never been before. British Invasion: George Harrison - so, you never noticed his slide work on the Beatles' and his solo albums? You should have - he's great! Ry Cooder: Ry Cooder - That's right - Ry has his own category, as he transcends any genre with equal aplomb. Ry is so good on so many levels - folk/country blues, rock, world music - and yet, he is faithful to the traditional sound of bottleneck. Woman/Songwriter-Singer: Bonnie Raitt - though I categorize her this way, she can stand up against any male bottlenecker in almost any category. I love her - really, I've always been in love with her! Beauty, talent, personality, she's got it all. Rocker/Bluesman - Johnny Winter - listen to the Second Winter album and you'll see what I mean. Vintage Blues/Pioneer - Elmore James - he schooled them all. Jeff Beck was once quoted as having bloodied his fingertips trying to imitate Elmore's sound, until he found out about the use of the bottleneck. Everyone who plays bottleneck or any other type of slide owes tribute to Elmore. So, do I have to pick the GREATEST? ELMORE JAMES!!!

Answer 3

The bottleneck is usually put on the ring or pinky finger. Eric Clapton uses it on his pinky. I mention that because he plays Johnson's "If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day" and I figure that might've been one of Johnson's you'd work out. In songs like "Free Bird" it's played on the ring finger. I find when worker lower down the neck, towards the first 5 frets or so, that I do best when I put it on my middle finger. If you want to hear some real good slide work with great lead guitar interchange, check out nearly any song off of Derek and the Dominoes' "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs." You've got Duane Allman's slide dueling with Eric Clapton's lead...it just couldn't get better.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

pinky finger, then you can play most of the pentatonics with the other three and use the slide when you need to.

I really suck at slide, but that's the way I was shown how to do it.

Answer 6

I'm looking at a picture right now of George Thorogood wearing one on his pinky. Of course, if you can't stand the guy, you could try something else.

Answer 7

the finger next to the thumb i play guitar and it works for me im looking for a band to join in rochdale area

Answer 8

the one with the most expression.

Answer 9

I too have the same question