A fretted slide connects two notes on one string by moving the fretting finger along the neck while the string continues sounding. Moving towards a higher fret raises the pitch; moving towards a lower fret lowers it. This lesson uses your fingertip, without a bottleneck or metal slide.
Read the two slides
The bottom line is the low E string. It shows two separate movements:
- 2/8: start at fret 2 and slide up to fret 8.
- 8\2: start again at fret 8 and slide down to fret 2.
The other strings have no notes. In plain-text tab, / commonly marks an upward slide and \ a downward slide. The tablature lesson explains how to identify each string.
The line connects the endpoints; it does not ask you to pick every intermediate fret. This image gives no rhythm or separate destination attack. The practice below uses one pick at the start of each slide. Other scores distinguish slides with a repicked destination from slides without one.
Make a connected movement
- Fret low E at fret 2 and pick it once.
- Keep enough contact for the string to stay fretted as you move the same finger towards fret 8. Let the hand travel with the finger.
- Stop with your fingertip just behind fret 8 and let the destination note sound.
- Pick fret 8 separately, then slide back to fret 2 in the same way.
Move along the string without pulling it sideways into a bend. If the sound stops, check whether you released the string or lost contact during the move. If landing six frets away is awkward, first try a shorter slide from fret 2 to fret 4, then return to the longer example.
Add a steady count
For a separate timing exercise, count four slow beats. Pick the starting note on beat 1, begin moving on beat 2, reach the destination on beat 3 and let it sound through beat 4. Repeat in the opposite direction.
Use the count to control the arrival, then vary how quickly you travel between the two notes. A slide can occupy different amounts of time in different phrases.
Audio example
Further reading: Fender’s fretted-slide explanation and Arobas Music’s slide types.