Tips needed on playing with a slide guitar player

[77stingray]

Hello all,

I have been playing a lot of 12 bar blues out and about and I notice that it is a little more difficult for me to know what to play with a slide guitar player. Any tips on techniques on how to play with a slide player? I just feel like I can't hear the changes as well. and doesn't have the predictable quality of 12 bar blues.

 

[bholder]

Slide players have fewer choices of "reachable" chord tones when chording, so the playing tends to be more sparse and harder to follow. Subbed to find out how others cope.

 

[AGCurry]

There are several different "schools" of blues slide guitar. If you're playing with a more acoustic-style "Delta" slider (Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, Son House, etc.), remember that those players didn't have ANY accompaniment; your best approach is "less is more." If any bass is called for, think of double bass, possibly with slapping.

Then there are the electric "Chicago" schools, where the slidist was backed by a band. Elmore James's fast tunes, like "Dust My Broom" and "Shake Your Money Maker", the bassist generally stuck to the shuffle beat, on the root. Slower songs ("The Sky Is Crying"), the bassist is playing 1-3-5 in a slow shuffle. This is true also of the Muddy Waters slow songs.

Then there is a standard classic repertoire of songs that don't fit in 12 bars, like "Rolling and Tumbling" and "Rolling Stone." The best advice for these (and really, everything) is to immerse yourself in LISTENING, not only to the original recordings but to the guitarist as he plays!

 

[5StringBlues]

There are several different "schools" of blues slide guitar. If you're playing with a more acoustic-style "Delta" slider (Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, Son House, etc.), remember that those players didn't have ANY accompaniment; your best approach is "less is more." If any bass is called for, think of double bass, possibly with slapping.

Then there are the electric "Chicago" schools, where the slidist was backed by a band. Elmore James's fast tunes, like "Dust My Broom" and "Shake Your Money Maker", the bassist generally stuck to the shuffle beat, on the root. Slower songs ("The Sky Is Crying"), the bassist is playing 1-3-5 in a slow shuffle. This is true also of the Muddy Waters slow songs.

Then there is a standard classic repertoire of songs that don't fit in 12 bars, like "Rolling and Tumbling" and "Rolling Stone." The best advice for these (and really, everything) is to immerse yourself in LISTENING, not only to the original recordings but to the guitarist as he plays!

Damn fine post.

 

[Malcolm35]

Hope someone called the key then you and the drummer fall into a (the) groove together, would be what I would try.

Good luck.

 

[two fingers]

Yeah it can be tougher. I find the rolls reverse a little in those situations. Instead of following the lead instrument, the band tends to follow me in those cases. I keep up with the chord changed, and do OBVIOUS passing tones and or walk-ups/downs to get to the next chord (while still trying to keep it simple and fundamental).

 

[bassicmike]

As slide is going to be imprecise by nature, I think it's important for the bass to be precise underneath. Stick to the scale.

And, as always, lock with the drummer.

A solid foundation will give the slide player room to play without hesitation.

 

[AGCurry]

Hope someone called the key then you and the drummer fall into a (the) groove together, would be what I would try.

Good luck.

Why do we always assume there's a drummer?

 

[catcauphonic]

Why do we always assume there's a drummer?

Yea, he was likely fired a long time ago

 

[77stingray]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Going to play with him today and he has been playing more delta blues style with no accompaniment during the pandemic, but often plays with a full band as well. Not sure what to expect, but obviously can't go wrong with roots only or 135. I'll ask him for his advice too, what does he prefer to hear underneath a busier slide tune.

 

[DirtDog]

As a slide guitar player myself (regular six string in open tunings, lap steel, pedal steel, dobro, etc), IF I had accompaniment, I'd prefer to let them lead. I'd just need to know the arrangement.

In many slide tunings (Open whatever, C6, E9, etc etc), many of the chords that we play can be ambiguous (but not always) - e.g. is a major or minor chord? is it a 7th? That's where following the slide player can be a bit tricky, IMO/IME.

Now, plenty of slide players tend to stick to standard 12-bar blues or variants, but there's plenty that won't (e.g., western swing, gospel, etc).

Best bet is to communicate as to what the arrangement will be and let the bass lead, if you will.

 

[mrcbass]

I haven't experienced that it is any different playing with slide vs not.

My job is to outline the chord progression to support whoever is playing on top of that. What the slide player is doing doesn't affect me - at least it hasn't so far. As always (for me anyway), when feeling something out, play sparsely and then add stuff as the opportunities permit/require.

 

[Pings Bass]

My first tip on playing with guitars is: don't.

But if it can't be avoided, the bass needs to lead the changes. IME guitarists will frequently drop or add beats and bars when they're noodling, and the bass and drums need to hold the whole thing together.

 

[Lenny JG]

Buy a fretless or a slide

 

[OldNARDGuy]

Yea, he was likely fired a long time ago

And likely for excessive drooling.