background image

Common Open Tunings:

Because there are no frets on a slide guitar, many slide guitar players use open tunings. An open tuning simply means 

that playing all strings open will produce a chord. Here are three of the most common open tunings for slide guitar.  

We encourage you to explore more tunings to achieve different sounds and playing styles.

Different Types of Slides:

How to Hold the Steel/Bar/Slides

OPEN-E:    E,B,E,G#,B,E            This tuning is popular for many types of slide guitar and is a good place to start.

OPEN-G:   G,B,D,G,B,D            This tuning is very popular for the blues and is common for dobro players.

OPEN-A:    A,C#,E,A,C#,E        This tuning is widely used in Hawaiian music and is the same as open-G, but up one step.

Included Peavey Slide: This slide is a 
variation of the typical steel/slide.

Included Peavey Slide:  Hold between 
thumb and middle finger using the index 
finger on top for control.

Bar Slide/Steel: This type of slide is 
commonly used by lap and pedal steel 
players.

Bar Slide/Steel:  The inspiration for the 
Peavey slide, a typical bar slide is used 
in the same manner as the Peavey Slide.

Pipe Slide: This slide is used more for 
resonator and standard guitar, than lap 
steel, but is also great for playing the 
PowerSlide

 in the vertical position. 

Pipe Slide: For use on any finger 
depending on your personal comfort and 
playing style.

Reviews: