Tips and tricks for women wanting to play slide guitar

[michelew]

This thread is for Lynn maybe Jean and any other women in the community that wants to give playing with a slide a go; and kids and guys with skinny fingers too.

The challenge - finding a slide that is actually thin enough.

I've got a glass and a brass slide, both mediums. They both sound good but there is so much space between the inside of the slides and my finger that it wobbles at lot and is awkward to play with. I've hunted high and low and I simply can't find small/thin ones in my local music shops or from any of the on-line Aussie stores.

Paper towel to the rescue.
I've read that some women stuff the inside of the slide so it fits better. I tried it today and it helps. I rolled up some kitchen paper towel and inserted it into the slide and then pressed my pinky (in this case) in to the slide and wella! It definitely takes up the slack, is fairly snug and is easier to control.

Slide specialists
I've found a couple of places that make slides for women:

- Rocky Mountains slides. - I've got a ceramic one on order. I'll let you know how it goes.
http://www.rockymountainslides.com

- Rock slides - these look interesting - they have a small size and a lot of nice features
http://www.therockslide.com

- Swivel slides - These look really cool. You need to know your ring sizes. It might be a gimmick but it's worth trying. I Intend to go to a jeweller to work out my size.
http://www.swivelslide.com/sizing.asp see the demo below





If anyone else has any advice, feel free to chip in.

Michele

[daryl]

How about going to a hardware store (or big box store) and visit the plumbing department. Perhaps a piece of copper pipe or a copper connector might work. They come in different sizes too. Look at socket wrench sockets while you're at the store (sockets for spark plugs might work). Or google something like "creative slides for guitar" I'm guessing you'll find a ton of ideas.

[michelew]

Thanks for the creative thinking Daryl. Actually I did that yesterday. There was a long socket that I was considering, but it had a ridge across it and was way too heavy. Unfortunately I couldn't find the pipes. But I'm guessing none were heavy enough to give a good tone.

Anyway - I figured I'd just look out for potential slides.

What are you playing?

[willem]

Put it on your lap.

B)

[auntlynnie]

Michele,
Thanks for listing the sources for sildes for us. I'm checking out the suppliers you listed. Amazing how many innovators are out there! The hinge slide is intriguing because it seems to let you switch back and forth. Maybe that has always seemed problematic because the slides are all so big and cumbersome on my small fingers.

I also have a glass one... too big. Perhaps this is why I've never pursued slide before.

Lynn

[michelew]

You're most welcome Lynn. I figured you and other women might be experiencing the some issue. Don't forget the paper towel trick. It does help.

The swivel slide is intriguing. I was trying to play something with both slide and fretted notes the other day , and....ppppfffff I couldn't get it happening, .... Well especially as I needed my pinky too. So I guess the swivel could be a godsend if you can operate it properly. Perhaps I should just stick to sliding notes instead of the combo until I develop some skill.

Good luck tracking them down. Let me know what you get if you get one and how you find it.

Michele

[sbutler]

Michele, just thinking outside the box here, but was wondering if there is an acrylic material that you could actually make a cast of, that would fit your tiny little finger, then fasten it inside da slide????? Or maybe, the cast could be the slide.
Maybe recruit a jewelry maker, or a glass blower :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: .

Sorry, just the do it your selfer coming out in me. (oh and a little smart ass too). But, seriously I believe that there has got to be a material that you could heat up in water, make it pliable, then force it too fit your finger, if you can take the heat. I've seen commercials for "anti snoring" devices that one simply heats up with water, then puts it in there mouth for the perfect fit.

Ok enough of me. But I'll keep thinking on it.


See ya,
Scott

[michelew]

Hey Scott!

I'm very tempted to show you the finger.

But more seriously, I like your thinking. Either one of those could work. I like the home modelling idea too. I remember there used to be a craft modelling clay type product that would probably be good to test the idea with.

Good think' 99!

I'll let you know how I fare. Then I will show you my tiny little finger.

That snore stopper sounds like .... Well dangerous. :S

Shel

[willem]

What about to find a bottle were your finger fit in, not to curve your hand around..

B)

[michelew]

Thanks Willem. I hear you.

Sounds like my tiny little finger is going on a magical, mystery tour of discovery.