[Terje]

Slide is by definition pretty slow. You're using one finger so to speak instead of four. Also, the beauty of slide playing is long, flowing, vocal like notes and lines, not fast staccato notes. If fast and staccato is what you're after then slide is a stupid way to go about it.

However, for some songs you just need to be pretty fast with that thing. It's not that easy in closed positions (the first step to slide speed is of course hammering on and pulling off on open strings) but there are a few things that seem make it easier. Mainly it's about finding a smooth motion. Any other tips?

[allthumbs]

Don't you finger notes behind the slide too? If you do triplet pull offs with slide and fingers you can go pretty fast. Listen to some of Kirks' faster stuff. He can rip it. You can also play short stuccato notes with a slide that sound good too. Of coarse, I'm talking about dropped D tuning. I assume that the same applies with open tuning. You are trying for as many sounds as possible in your playing so playing a fast note with a slide is just as valid as a finger. It will sure speed up your playing if you combine fingers and slide looking at how effectively you can get to the next note,finger or slide.
Sometimes just for fun, I will practice slide by playing SRV tunes using just the slide and then both. It is surprising how many of his tunes can be played that way. Great fun.

[LightninBoy]

Terje,
Right hand damping is important to master.
Usually the finger that plucks the string is the one that damps it.
Left hand damping is helpful too, as you lift the slide, damp behind it with your hand, (Between notes).
Start slow and smooth, and gradually speed it up over time.
Check out Sonny Landreth or Dave Hole for some really fast licks.

[BluesJammer]

Terje, how about Duane Allman, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks? Their slide playin' is pretty fast and emotional...
You may listen to pedal-steel players like Robert Randolph, Paul Franklin, Speedy West

Robert Randolph plays lot of staccato and so on...

[BluesJammer]

...about closed positions - if you can play behind-the-slide - it's not so difficult to play fast legato notes. Listen to Kirk's "Crossroads".

[Kirk Lorange]

I remember years ago hearing something by Freddy Roulette that was really quick.

It is hard to get all the necessary damping happening when the tempo gets up there. There just aren't enough nanoseconds. Playing behind is the only way I can get any semblance of 'speed', but then I was never very speedy in normal playing either.

[John]

You know, speed is highly over-rated anyway. I admire the Vai's of the world, but after the second or third song of 64th notes whizzing by, I sort of become numb. :shock: IMHO, the Art is more important than the technical ablility, in terms of sounding good.

John

[randy_mc]

Behind the slide technique can be a lot more articulate, if that's the type of thing you are looking for. I found the Rockslide helps with the technique.

Randy