SLIDE LICK WITH SLASH CHORDS
Judicious use of sliding notes can give your music a sense of playfulness and fluidity. This bouncy progression kicks off with a G barre chord whose bass note slides up
to B, producing a G/B (pronounced “G over B”) chord. The whole idea then shifts
up one string and cycles over a C chord, whose bass slides up to make C/E. Finishing things off, measure 3 features a bluesy series of eighth notes, ultimately resolving to C in measure 4. Hear audio example.


Most important here is that you pay attention to the “slide” notes (marked in the music by a diagonal line and a small “S” between the music staves). In each case, use your ring finger to fret the first note, and let it sound for the correct duration. Without removing the pressure on the fretboard, slide it up (or down) to the next note, so that both notes sound with only one pick attack.

For more on these ideas, check out the Basics article “Slash Chords” and the 30-Minute Lesson article “Fretboard Slides,” available now online and in the August 2008 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine.

LESSON FEATURE 1
BOB WEIR
The rhythm ace of the Grateful Dead and RatDog shares the secrets of his unclassifiable guitar style. [More]

LESSON FEATURE 2
ALTERNATE TUNINGS ACCOMPANIMENT LESSON
Learn how to use alternate tunings for rich-sounding backup parts. With video examples. [More]

30-MINUTE LESSON
FRETBOARD SLIDES
Create fluid melody lines and grooves on the neck of the guitar by sliding between notes. With audio examples. [More]

PRIVATE LESSON
DOUG SMITH
The fingerstyle master discusses combining fingerpicking patterns and highlighting melody parts. With audio examples and the Lick of the Month. [More]

THE BASICS
SLASH CHORD LESSON
Create moving bass lines and drones on the acoustic guitar by using slash chords to indicate bass notes. With audio examples. [More]

WOODSHED
TONE CLUSTER LESSONS
Add color to your guitar chords with these piano-like cluster voicings and riffs. With audio examples. [More]

Walnut Valley Festival Announces Schedule for September 2008
On September 17–21, 2008, the prestigious Walnut Valley Festival returns (for the 37th time!) to Winfield, Kansas. In addition to the National Flat Pick Guitar and International Fingerstyle Guitar Championships, the event will feature music workshops for guitar and other instruments. This year’s performers include Beppe Gambetta, Pete Huttlinger, Stephen Bennett, this month’s Private Lesson subject Doug Smith, and many others. wvfest.com

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