Louisiana slide-guru Sonny Landreth came by the Guitar World studio to teach a less on some of his incredible, unconventional slide techniques. Check it out!
Sonny gave slide guitar group lessons in Boulder, Co. in 1976 and I signed up for them just to listen to him play. I was SO out of my league I was embarrassed, but let me tell you, it was great to witness him playing Key to the Highway and all those old blues guy's songs, Robert Johnson, etc. Really gave me a love for that music. He is truly a very nice person.
My heavens, what an incredible slide master Sonny is! Great tips and well explained, too. He's right - there are a lot of ways to play slide and it's a very personal style. These tips will do anyone well. Thank you!
Thank you for this marvelous presentation. Sonny is not only one of the premier guitarists today but he also one of the most personable ones. Not a bit of vanity or conceit.
couldn't agree more, when promoting South of I-10, after a radio showcase, I happen to ask him a guitar question, he took the time to actually give this geezer a wonderful lesson, right then and there, will never forget his "kindness". a true "GUITAR HERO".
Mind is blown. I've played slide for years, and this video just unlocked a whole new world of stuff to practice! I'm still trying to wrap my head around several of the techniques explained in this video. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Sonny (and Guitar World)!
This is one of the best video of what to do with a slide. Hitting the note with your finger in front of the slide, most people don't show you that part. Thanks
I had to smile and chuckle when one of the great slide guitarists ever starts off saying “I’m still learning, so bear with me.” Thank you for sharing, Sonny!
Thank you for posting this video/tutorial. Explained many concepts and fundamentals to playing 'consistently' good slide. Much credit & respect to Mr Landreth for his time, explanation and demonstration to playing. Inspirational.
I believe this to be perhaps, the most valueable, informative instruction, on how to approach playing slide guitar, I've ever seen. Foir someone who has been playing guitar as long as I have it doesn't get any better than this. This is an absolute treasure, I couldnt ask for more, an absolute gem!!!!
The best guitar lesson I've had. I opened for this brilliant guy at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Illinois when I was 18. Soooooo grateful. Just started playin' slide... I won't utterly suck in about 3 months! Thanks Sonny! Peace:).
Thanks for the outstanding video. You really offered ideas and suggestions I'd never heard, but I certainly plan to incorporate all of it! Appreciate you taking the time to do this!
A whole bunch of Sonny Landreth albums. I saw him in the desert outside Tucson once, about 100 people in the audiencve. Danced on the stage right beside him, got to see it all up close.
@@bwoosiemowani9477 , he's played on a number of John Hiatt records (though not all of em). Two favorites of mine are "Slow Turning" and " Beneath This Gruff Exterior". Hiatt's frequent touring band, the Goners is Sonny, Sonny's best friend from high school Dave Hanson, and any of several drummers.
I've been a fan for many years. I've been screwing around with slide for a few years but besides " Dust My Broom" and a few others, I haven't gotten far- as a drummer and a harp player, I can always make music, but I've always wanted to play slide. Your lesson probably quadrupled my knowledge of slide playing and I want to say Thank you, I've saved this tutorial and will use it going forward, thanks again...
I remember hearing Sonny 13 years ago ago on the radio and immediately stopping what I was doing and absolutely paying total attention. I was so amazed by what I was hearing that my jaw dropped on the floor. Just got home from seeing him live tonight with his amazing band. If you enjoy slide guitar do yourself a favor and go see him play? He is an absolute master virtuoso of slide guitar. And after watching this video I've decided he's probably a nice guy too.
I have seen Sonny live on two occasions, once with John Hyatt in Memphis and again with his band at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville where I sat near the stage. He is such a joy to hear live but truly amazing to watch as his technique is so different than other well known slide player like Derek Trucks or Bonnie Raitt - both outstanding players in their own right. I urge you to see Sonny if you get the chance you won’t be disappointed. Thank you Sonny for this tutorial and please come back to Nashville!
Thank you for this, Sonny. I am humbled by your playing, but stepping out to express myself with the slide. I play in a country band. Alan Jackson's songs are keeping me on my toes!
I've been playing guitar for many years now - though never making much progress with slide technique. This is a great video which has got me fired up to have some serious practise. Great little tips too.
Keep hanging with that slide playing... because it's mostly just working at it to get it down... I'm still learning the technique after 20 years of it and 10 of them serious working at it. Clapton spent hours on just one riff, to get it perfect. I try to apply the same work ethic to slide... and it works, usually...
Thank you so Much ! I am just now getting into slide guitar after listening to some greats like Joe Walsh and Stevie Ray . Plus I love learning new approaches to the Guitar! Thanks You answered many of my questions! Raul Estravit in Los Angeles.
Always remember a Sonny gig at Dingwalls in London a few years back, when Slow Hand was sitting at a table digging Sonny's unique slide. Awesome night!
Awesome Dude, it has certainly opened my mind and understanding to the fundamentals of what are the possibilities of Glide Guitar, which should be treated as a pure form in it's own right and not just something to be used as an embellishment. Thank you sincerely indeed.
I’m just starting to incorporate slide into my guitar repetoire. These tips and tricks are so helpful. My designated slide guitar is about to get a set of heavier strings and have the action raised slightly. The left and right hand techniques have opened this up for me. Thanks Sonny!
I saw Sonny live a few months ago. It was a small venue and we sit very close to the frontnl He was totally amazing. It looked so effortless. All of his fingers move all the time.
Great video, I’ve always love the slide sound. I am just learning to play and someday I would love to learn how to play with a slide! Love that Stratocaster that Sonny is playing! I’ve never seen one with a Telecaster bridge before!
I've been a fan of Sonny Landreth since the first time I heard him in 1993. He only needs to play one chord and immediately you know it's Sonny Landreth.
"I'm still learning, bear with me." I wonder, does anyone ever feel like they've climbed the mountain? I know I've been playing for over 30 years and I still don't feel like I've learned to walk properly yet, never mind fly.
That’s what I love about music. There’s always something new to learn. No matter how good you think you are, you can always be better with some practice and effort.
He knows exactly when to play, and it always adds to the song. He used a 11/16" Craftsman socket instead of a slide, and he used a Strat-o-blaster to boost the output, along with that tele bridge pickup.
It's true that Lowell George used a Tele pup in the bridge but if you look at his live videos he plays mainly in the middle position. He also used a lot of compression to get that great sustain. In the studio he used two daisy-chained Urei FET compressors but live I believe he used a Dynacomp. I use an Origin Effects Slide Rig pedal which is the closest I've ever heard to Lowell George's sound in a stompbox.
Thanks Sonny. Great information man. BTW...on a weekend trip to NYC, me and some friends caught your Nov 4th, 2011 show at the "Highline Ballroom" and we had a great time. In case your memory needs some prompting, your opening act was the Jim Keller Band. Great bunch as well. Actually that was a phenomenal Friday night for a few reasons: 1) Started off by spending a few hours at "Matt Umanov Guitars"...awesome guys there who managed to sell me a mid-60's Tele. Bastards. 2) Then, after seeing a poster on the guitar shop wall, we were off to the Highline to see you and the (opener) Jim Keller band. Nothing like sitting front row, drinking a big dark beer, and wolfing down a pepper steak with baked potato...all while watching the inspiring player that you are. Could this night get any better? Oh yes! 3) After the show we happened to walk by the Bitter End and heard a band called "The Michael Power's Frequency" was playing. Shall we catch another show fellas? Hell yeah. Anyway, the bar staff poured us out onto the street at around 2:30am after a great time catching this band. 4) And before heading home, a convenient food truck was parked outside the Bitter End. No better way to cap off a night of great music and tasty beer than a 2:30 am shawarma on the side walk. Then we stumbled back to our AirBnB rental just around the corner And while the above was a stellar Friday night adventure, the weekend a whole was made all the better after catching Joe Bonamassa at the Beacon Theatre on Saturday night. Fucking right! Keep rockin' Sonny. Much love!
great help Sonny.....took me too long to get past simple major chords by stumbling around with no guidance...learned to drop onto the G string behind the slide in open D / E a few months ago to get the minor chords.....kinda slow me , I didn 't play around enough to "discover" the sevenths but got to your lesson just today...you've opened up a whole 'nother bunch of dimensions...thank you
That was great! Great tips! What I really love for most was that you were playing on My Guitar the Stratocaster but I also have a Telecaster and an acoustic. I've always use super Slinkys on my Strat
![Sonny Landreth & Eric Clapton - Promise Land [Crossroads 2010] (Official Live Video)](/img/n.gif)
I love how he says "But I'm still learning, so bare with me."
He knows you can never know too much. Always be open minded to learn new things. Legend.
he has forgot more than i knew!!!
That's because we are always still learning. Watching, listening, and hopefully... learning.
The best slide guitarist today is Derek Trucks.
Bear with me, not bare with me. This isn't an orgy lol.
Sonny gave slide guitar group lessons in Boulder, Co. in 1976 and I signed up for them just to listen to him play. I was SO out of my league I was embarrassed, but let me tell you, it was great to witness him playing Key to the Highway and all those old blues guy's songs, Robert Johnson, etc. Really gave me a love for that music. He is truly a very nice person.
I love TH-cam; it so democratizes knowledge. Where else are the masters sharing their knowledge so widely? Thanks, Sonny, this is priceless.
I don't play slide but I had to leave a comment because of just how truly great Sonny is... Brilliant and Masterful.
I love the fact that Sonny makes me feel there is no “wrong” direction I can take…he is a guide and welcomes your detours thank you Sonny !
wrong! ha ha jam on.
@@vancegodin4149 u turn
"It is hard to live in a one bedroom apartment with someone learning the slide guitar", she said as she handed the revolver to the police officer.
LMAO this is actually me
HAHAHHAHA YES!😎🤣
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Bubbette23 haha
Brilliant !!!!
God bless you Sonny ...I've been playing slide for 40 years and his technique and tone still blow me away
Sonny’s reverb & delay brings chills up my spine! Thank you!
My heavens, what an incredible slide master Sonny is! Great tips and well explained, too.
He's right - there are a lot of ways to play slide and it's a very personal style. These tips
will do anyone well. Thank you!
Thank you for this marvelous presentation. Sonny is not only one of the premier guitarists today but he also one of the most personable ones. Not a bit of vanity or conceit.
couldn't agree more, when promoting South of I-10, after a radio showcase, I happen to ask him a guitar question, he took the time to actually give this geezer a wonderful lesson, right then and there, will never forget his "kindness". a true "GUITAR HERO".
I could not agree more. His humbleness really comes out when he says he is still learning slide guitar.
Excellent lesson Sonny, thank you Sir.
One of the nicest musicians around as well as one of the best. Absurdly talented and generous with it. Thanks.
So humble and yet so talented ,great stuff !
What a treat to have a lesson from Sonny! He seems like a regular guy -Respect.
How humble. True sharing. Clearly Sonny is in love with the voice, tears drip from the strings. Thank you Sonny.
Mind is blown. I've played slide for years, and this video just unlocked a whole new world of stuff to practice! I'm still trying to wrap my head around several of the techniques explained in this video. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Sonny (and Guitar World)!
What a great joy to learn new techniques from the masters. Thanks for generously sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for such a detailed and clear demonstration of what one can do. You are an excellent teacher!
This is one of the best video of what to do with a slide. Hitting the note with your finger in front of the slide, most people don't show you that part. Thanks
Thank you, sir! This is the most clear and comprehensive guide to the slide guitar technique.
Incredible! And he thanks us at the end for watching. No, Mr. Landreth, thank YOU for taking the time to make such a fantastic video!
I had to smile and chuckle when one of the great slide guitarists ever starts off saying “I’m still learning, so bear with me.”
Thank you for sharing, Sonny!
This is the most complete slide lesson I've ever seen. I am sure that there is more, but this video has all you need to be an ace.
What a great video. Thanks for producing this.
Some excellent pearls of wisdom in this tutorial. Many thanks to Sonny and Guitar World!
Thank you for posting this video/tutorial. Explained many concepts and fundamentals to playing 'consistently' good slide. Much credit & respect to Mr Landreth for his time, explanation and demonstration to playing. Inspirational.
Sonny you have a great way of putting this over ,in an easy to understand way.Thanks a lot !
I believe this to be perhaps, the most valueable, informative instruction, on how to approach playing slide guitar, I've ever seen. Foir someone who has been playing guitar as long as I have it doesn't get any better than this. This is an absolute treasure, I couldnt ask for more, an absolute gem!!!!
The best guitar lesson I've had. I opened for this brilliant guy at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Illinois when I was 18. Soooooo grateful. Just started playin' slide... I won't utterly suck in about 3 months! Thanks Sonny! Peace:).
Thank you Sonny. Such a generous sharing of your amazing technique and artistry.
I love playing slide and happy to see Sonny here, he’s one of the greats!✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶
One of the best and most helpfull lessons i came across so far. Excellent lesson and excellent playing!
This guy is amazing. He makes this look effortless yet it is very difficult to master. Great video!
This is one of the best lessons Ive ever had, he is a master
What a fantastic player and gentleman. Very helpful.
His right hand technique is amazing! Great video.
9
Wow what a treat to get a lesson from Sonny Landreth! Very cohesive
Great lesson! So much information in less than half an hour. Love the playing and tone, too.
That surprising right hand picking & muting technique is particularly impressive.
most striking thing about his style for sure...right hand tech is inspiring
Wow! The most humble guy I’ve ever seen or heard ever. A true gift to the human race! 🌌🌎💝. And he is so gifted 🌠Thank you Guitar World 👌.
How can anyone down vote this video? inspirationally excellent. God Bless!
Thanks for this. So many great tips. Lots of fun things to try.
Thanks, Sonny. I really appreciate you giving this time to your community. Now to pick up the guitar!
Thanks for the outstanding video. You really offered ideas and suggestions I'd never heard, but I certainly plan to incorporate all of it! Appreciate you taking the time to do this!
tremendous player; yes! great lesson even if above my level
Great teacher and player
+CaribSurfKing1 This guy is Gr8. What albums has he played on? Anyone know?
A whole bunch of Sonny Landreth albums. I saw him in the desert outside Tucson once, about 100 people in the audiencve. Danced on the stage right beside him, got to see it all up close.
So, who is he teaching? Certainly not those of us trying to transition to Slide...
@@bwoosiemowani9477 , he's played on a number of John Hiatt records (though not all of em). Two favorites of mine are "Slow Turning" and " Beneath This Gruff Exterior". Hiatt's frequent touring band, the Goners is Sonny, Sonny's best friend from high school Dave Hanson, and any of several drummers.
I enjoyed this video very much and found it to be very helpful. Thank you Sonny Landreth.
How wonderful to get a quality lesson from the master
I so appreciate this video. Thank you, Sonny and Guitar World.
Best slide options I have seen yet. Thank you, Sir!
Such an incredible player! Sonny is the bees knees! Thank you sir for so many directions to go upon learning slide!
I've been a fan for many years. I've been screwing around with slide for a few years but besides " Dust My Broom" and a few others, I haven't gotten far- as a drummer and a harp player, I can always make music, but I've always wanted to play slide. Your lesson probably quadrupled my knowledge of slide playing and I want to say Thank you, I've saved this tutorial and will use it going forward, thanks again...
I remember hearing Sonny 13 years ago ago on the radio and immediately stopping what I was doing and absolutely paying total attention. I was so amazed by what I was hearing that my jaw dropped on the floor. Just got home from seeing him live tonight with his amazing band. If you enjoy slide guitar do yourself a favor and go see him play? He is an absolute master virtuoso of slide guitar. And after watching this video I've decided he's probably a nice guy too.
66 dislikes ? never seen him in concert then, this guy is a legend...
@Gerald Dixon Cummings Freedom of speech isn't a privilege -- it is a right.
Great video! So informative! Thank you Mr. Landreth!
I have seen Sonny live on two occasions, once with John Hyatt in Memphis and again with his band at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville where I sat near the stage. He is such a joy to hear live but truly amazing to watch as his technique is so different than other well known slide player like Derek Trucks or Bonnie Raitt - both outstanding players in their own right. I urge you to see Sonny if you get the chance you won’t be disappointed. Thank you Sonny for this tutorial and please come back to Nashville!
Is he related to Joey?
Thanks Sonny ! Really appreciate the great tips.. was able to apply some of your techniques immediately..
Thank you for this, Sonny. I am humbled by your playing, but stepping out to express myself with the slide. I play in a country band. Alan Jackson's songs are keeping me on my toes!
He;s a great player - excellent teacher too, playing melodies behind the slide - brilliant.
I've been playing guitar for many years now - though never making much progress with slide technique. This is a great video which has got me fired up to have some serious practise. Great little tips too.
Keep hanging with that slide playing... because it's mostly just working at it to get it down... I'm still learning the technique after 20 years of it and 10 of them serious working at it. Clapton spent hours on just one riff, to get it perfect. I try to apply the same work ethic to slide... and it works, usually...
Thanks Sonny I really do appreciate you giving your time.
Thankyou Sonny for your Help, your a Great teacher
Thank you so Much ! I am just now getting into slide guitar after listening to some greats like Joe Walsh and Stevie Ray . Plus I love learning new approaches to the Guitar! Thanks You answered many of my questions!
Raul Estravit in Los Angeles.
Always remember a Sonny gig at Dingwalls in London a few years back, when Slow Hand was sitting at a table digging Sonny's unique slide. Awesome night!
As far as guitar goes . You have the whole package . That tone is givin' me a zipper buster .
He is very well spoken. A rarity in this field!
I was fortunate to see Sonny play at a jazz dinner house in Seattle earlier this year. Truly memorable.
wow, I couldn't stop grinning when he got to playing some of those riffs. Just awesome
Been playing Guitar for years but I've just started to try slide. This is a great help, thanks for the lesson. I hope to see more of your playing.
Awesome Dude, it has certainly opened my mind and understanding to the fundamentals of what are the possibilities of Glide Guitar, which should be treated as a pure form in it's own right and not just something to be used as an embellishment. Thank you sincerely indeed.
Thank you Sonny! This video inspired me to just sit and play some slide blues for a couple of hours! Lots of fun!
Never had the inclination to learn slide.....until now!!! Awesome!!
Hows the slide playing going?
This is so valuable Sonny, thank you!
Just found this lesson now, October 2019. Saved it and already started to practice. What a lesson. Hope I can become a good slide player.
I was introduced to you by a couple of guys that were thinking about signing me to their label. Andy and Jack. Great video man and generous tips.
I’m just starting to incorporate slide into my guitar repetoire. These tips and tricks are so helpful. My designated slide guitar is about to get a set of heavier strings and have the action raised slightly. The left and right hand techniques have opened this up for me. Thanks Sonny!
That guy is good, what a great lesson and explanation, I've learnt more in these few minutes, than I have in previous years...wow!
Great session there - enjoyed every minute - never done any of this stuff before - must try it out - it's really so expressive
I saw Sonny live a few months ago. It was a small venue and we sit very close to the frontnl He was totally amazing. It looked so effortless. All of his fingers move all the time.
Great video, I’ve always love the slide sound. I am just learning to play and someday I would love to learn how to play with a slide! Love that Stratocaster that Sonny is playing! I’ve never seen one with a Telecaster bridge before!
Great Lesson , much appreciated .
I've been a fan of Sonny Landreth since the first time I heard him in 1993. He only needs to play one chord and immediately you know it's Sonny Landreth.
True
I started doing that play behind the slide trick when I was a teenager, thinking I was so clever. Sonny's probably been doing it for decades.
"I'm still learning, bear with me." I wonder, does anyone ever feel like they've climbed the mountain? I know I've been playing for over 30 years and I still don't feel like I've learned to walk properly yet, never mind fly.
Walking down is not so much. Walking up with a key change ummm yeah.
30 years? Fuck. I just started last year and I still feel like an idiot. Lol
I'd imagine someone who does probably isn't any fun to listen to.
I've been playing for 14years and I don't feel like i get better but moreso my hand gets quieter lol
That’s what I love about music.
There’s always something new to learn.
No matter how good you think you are, you can always be better with some practice and effort.
Awesome video.... you have inspired me to add to my skill base... nothing like a new challenge ..Cheers
I don't think I've ever seen a Tele bridge on a Strat. very cool (and stable)
Lowell George.
+The Grand Ole Uproar I feel like Lowell is one of my favorite players ever. I mean up there with anyone out there.
He knows exactly when to play, and it always adds to the song. He used a 11/16" Craftsman socket instead of a slide, and he used a Strat-o-blaster to boost the output, along with that tele bridge pickup.
+The Grand Ole Uproar that video of him playing China White .... JAYSUS.
It's true that Lowell George used a Tele pup in the bridge but if you look at his live videos he plays mainly in the middle position. He also used a lot of compression to get that great sustain. In the studio he used two daisy-chained Urei FET compressors but live I believe he used a Dynacomp. I use an Origin Effects Slide Rig pedal which is the closest I've ever heard to Lowell George's sound in a stompbox.
Excellent video on his technique, That is golden info!
Just getting into slide. Thanks for the lessom🎉🎉🎉🎉😊
Gorgeous sweet tone perfectly breaking up... love!!
Thanks Sonny. Great information man. BTW...on a weekend trip to NYC, me and some friends caught your Nov 4th, 2011 show at the "Highline Ballroom" and we had a great time. In case your memory needs some prompting, your opening act was the Jim Keller Band. Great bunch as well. Actually that was a phenomenal Friday night for a few reasons:
1) Started off by spending a few hours at "Matt Umanov Guitars"...awesome guys there who managed to sell me a mid-60's Tele. Bastards.
2) Then, after seeing a poster on the guitar shop wall, we were off to the Highline to see you and the (opener) Jim Keller band. Nothing like sitting front row, drinking a big dark beer, and wolfing down a pepper steak with baked potato...all while watching the inspiring player that you are. Could this night get any better? Oh yes!
3) After the show we happened to walk by the Bitter End and heard a band called "The Michael Power's Frequency" was playing. Shall we catch another show fellas? Hell yeah. Anyway, the bar staff poured us out onto the street at around 2:30am after a great time catching this band.
4) And before heading home, a convenient food truck was parked outside the Bitter End. No better way to cap off a night of great music and tasty beer than a 2:30 am shawarma on the side walk. Then we stumbled back to our AirBnB rental just around the corner
And while the above was a stellar Friday night adventure, the weekend a whole was made all the better after catching Joe Bonamassa at the Beacon Theatre on Saturday night. Fucking right!
Keep rockin' Sonny. Much love!
Gets no better than Sonny on the slide! Such a beast
Best slide guitar lesson I've ever had. Thank you!!
Sonny is so talented...tasteful...great tone...great phrases...
great help Sonny.....took me too long to get past simple major chords by stumbling around with no guidance...learned to drop onto the G string behind the slide in open D / E a few months ago to get the minor chords.....kinda slow me , I didn 't play around enough to "discover" the sevenths but got to your lesson just today...you've opened up a whole 'nother bunch of dimensions...thank you
Thank you Thank you Thank you. What a gift.
Slide got my attention, when my arthritis stated troubling me. Many thanks to Sonny, for his demo.
There's a gold mine of info here. Thanks for sharing Sonny !
That was great! Great tips! What I really love for most was that you were playing on My Guitar the Stratocaster but I also have a Telecaster and an acoustic. I've always use super Slinkys on my Strat
This is outstanding!! Thank you Sonny and Guitar World! 😎👍
Amazing and inspiring.👍👍👍
Holy shit......that intro was epic
Yes i wish i could do it