Should I use my Pinky or Ring Finger for Slide Guitar?

Question

I'm just starting slide guitar and usually put the slide on my pinky finger, but sometimes when i'm playing the slide starts to slip off, because I have slim pinkys. Should I switch to my Ring Finger, or am I not keeping my pinky in the right position? Also could you give me your favorite Blues/Slide Guitar players. I like Robert Johnson and Eric Sardinas.

Answer 1

I prefer the pinky only because it leaves my others free to fret with. If you have small pinkys get a smaller slide.

My favorite slide players are Ry Cooder and Bonnie Raitt

Answer 2

Finger Slide Guitar

Answer 3

Guitar Slide Ring

Answer 4

It's mostly a matter of personal preference which finger you use. Most artists use their ring fingers for the slide because they don't use that finger as much when they're playing and their pinkies are too small. Did you know that Bonnie Raitt uses her middle finger for the slide? She said that it was because she learned to play guitar that way from listening to records or the radio and didn't know that other guitarists used either their ring or pinky fingers instead.

Answer 5

I also use my pinky for slide.
My favorite slide players are Duane Allman, Johnny Winter, and maybe Bonnie Raitt. Other blues favorites are Mike Bloomfield, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Roy Buchanan, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Kim Simmonds and so many others.

Answer 6

The choice of finger is up to you!

I put it on my ring finger because the ring finger has the least independence of movement from the other fingers ... the tendon on the ring finger is tied to the tendon on the middle finger (for most normal people) - and gaining complete independence is difficult ...

So, with the slide on my ring finger, I can use the slide well with my 'waekest' finger, while still accomplishing a good amount of fret work with the other three fingers

Here is my humble effort on Crossroad Blues:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jymWFYN9eM

Answer 7

Blues musicians like Robert Johnson almost always used the pinky finger. When he played, he played lead and rhythm together, so he needed his ring finger for playing.

Answer 8

Ring finger..or if you prefer your pinky..use an aspro bottle or a spanner key..for both.. whatever fits you best..Elmore James is always a good place to start..Earl Hooker..god..so many..Muddy for economy and accent...can't think..Rory Gallagher/Johnny Winter/Duane Allman...country blues from the 40s..seek and ye shall discover...Good luck!

Answer 9

Every beginner has this problem. You should start by playing single note riffs/ songs that need you to use your pinky. Just practice using your pinky slowly at first and then it will speed up. Then learn chords that need your pinky, then start doing chord progressions to get your speed up. Eventually you will get your pinky up to speed. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Aussie slide man Dave Hole plays over the top with his index.