[Picker]

While I've neglected playing slide as of yet other than rudimentary noise making, I believe I've developed some slight tendonitis in my fretting hand. Therefore, what a perfect time to sit down with it right? I always play in standard tuning and that is the way I understand the fretboard. Is standard tuning detrimental to the slide? Or can I get by with it?

[Terje]

Originally Posted by Picker

I believe I've developed some slight tendonitis in my fretting hand. Therefore, what a perfect time to sit down with it right?

Maybe, depends on where the pain is. If you use a very heavy slide that can give you problems too. So, use a light one, at least to start with.

Is standard tuning detrimental to the slide?

No,it's just a little harder cause you really have to damp, not just more but also better.

Or can I get by with it?

You can get by just fine in standard tuning. Earl Hooker did, why not you?

Seriously, I use standard most of the time too. You owe it to yourself to at least try the other tunings out, they are more natural to slide playing and they sound great. But you can get lots of marvelous sounds from standard tuning, don't worry.

And it's much easier to play in different keys within the same song with standard tuning. Minor chords, a lot of fretting... there are bonuses too.