Bottleneck -- index finger?

[zmf]

I haven't tried much bottleneck guitar, but while messing around in open D, a bottleneck on the index finger felt kind of natural.

I know most folks put it on the ring finger, but does anyone use the index finger? What would be pros and cons?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by zmf

I haven't tried much bottleneck guitar, but while messing around in open D, a bottleneck on the index finger felt kind of natural.

I know most folks put it on the ring finger, but does anyone use the index finger? What would be pros and cons?

Thanks.

The obvious drawback would be that you can't "drag" other fingers along the strings behind the slide to silence the ringing strings and overtones that occur. Most players consider this an important part of slide technique.

[Bingoccc]

Pinky for me too. Leaves the other fingers free for muting and fretting.

[Bob Womack]

It all depends on the style of music you want to play. Some use pinky, some (like Duane Allman) use ring, some (like Joe Walsh) use middle.

Bob

[Random1643]

I'm really into Sonny Landreth's slide work lately. He keeps thick glass slide on his little finger, muting per Willie's point with fingers behind the slide, and - uniquely in my experience - also frets notes behind the slide. A couple of examples:

The High Side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Dy_OMtlk4

Congo Square (electric guitar WARNING): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sloap5PUi40

I also keep slide on my little finger. (Tho I ain't no Sonny Landreth.) I mute with fingers behind slide which I mix with muting @ bridge with the heel of my picking hand.

Good point. What works for your style.

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

It all depends on the style of music you want to play.

Been working on some Gary Davis mixed with John Fahey (Poor boy long way from home -- the rumbling thumb thing) mixed with "Top of the World", mixed with a beat that seems to be Bonnie Raitt's "Told you pretty momma..".

In open tuning, it seems natural to slide with the index finger and fret below (higher notes). The index finger isn't that essential for fretting in open D -- the right hand's doing the work.

Nothing's original, for I figured lots of players have done it.

Forgot about the muting, but I think that's covered.

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by Random1643

I'm really into Sonny Landreth's slide work lately. He keeps thick glass slide on his little finger, muting per Willie's point with fingers behind the slide, and - uniquely in my experience - also frets notes behind the slide. A couple of examples:

The High Side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Dy_OMtlk4

Congo Square (electric guitar WARNING): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sloap5PUi40

I also keep slide on my little finger. (Tho I ain't no Sonny Landreth.) I mute with fingers behind slide which I mix with muting @ bridge with the heel of my picking hand.

Good point. What works for your style.

Sonny is inhuman, but fretting behind the slide is a common technique. Some just do it better!

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by Random1643

I'm really into Sonny Landreth's slide work lately. He keeps thick glass slide on his little finger, muting per Willie's point with fingers behind the slide, and - uniquely in my experience - also frets notes behind the slide. A couple of examples:

The High Side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Dy_OMtlk4

Congo Square (electric guitar WARNING): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sloap5PUi40

I also keep slide on my little finger. (Tho I ain't no Sonny Landreth.) I mute with fingers behind slide which I mix with muting @ bridge with the heel of my picking hand.

Good point. What works for your style.

Try this one. FYI I am also a pinkie slider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVojSnrmh2g

[Wolfram]

There are no rules, but you may find sliding with your index finger limiting for the reasons already given - you'll find it difficult to play fretted sections, and you won't be able to mute behind the slide. But if you are happy with those limitations then yeah, why not?

I play with the slide on my pinkie, and have always liked to use as heavy a slide as possible (which led me to develop the slide that became Martin Simpson's Signature Slide). This keeps four fingers free for fretting and muting, though I actually like the sound of the overtones from behind the slide - as long as they are clean and in tune!

Cheers,
David

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Wolfram Slides

though I actually like the sound of the overtones from behind the slide - as long as they are clean and in tune!

??? Tones from behind the slide. I have a lot to learn.

[Random1643]

"??? Tones from behind the slide. I have a lot to learn." - ZMF

Yah, me too. And thanks, Paleo. I had no idea that this is a common technique.

[Wolfram]

Originally Posted by zmf

??? Tones from behind the slide. I have a lot to learn.

Sure. Place the slide across, say, the 7th fret, then try picking or strumming in front of and then behind the slide (between the slide and the nut). You'll get a higher-pitched tone from behind the slide that's related to, but not the same as, the note you're playing in front of the slide... Hope that makes sense!

You get those overtones in normal playing - the amount depends a lot on the type of slide you use. Many players like to damp these overtones by muting with the non-slide fingers of the left hand; others embrace them and use them in their playing.

I think they can sound wonderful, and often like to bring them out in my playing, a technique I learned from Martin Simpson. However, because they tend to be originating from much shorter length of string than the 'main' note you are playing, keeping their intonation acceptably in tune requires far greater precision and accuracy with your slide. If they're off they really sound off!

Here's a good example from the man himself with his Wolfram Signature Slide. You can clearly see and hear his use of the overtones.



If you're interested, he talks a bit about the slide from 12:21.

Cheers,
David

[tippy5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REBIm8jMrSA go to 6 minutes and get blown out.... Wish utube expanded this tune.....

[bbarkow]

Middle finger for me. It lets me chord and stretch with the other three fingers.