How to Finger Slide
"Finger slide" is an informal term for the glissando technique when applied to guitar. Rather than playing the notes in steps, by fingering each fret in turn you slide your finger along the fretboard until you reach the desired note. This creates a distinctively smooth sound, characteristic of blues music. There are a variety of finger-slide techniques and each is suitable to a particular application. The introduction to "Reelin' In The Years" by Steely Dan features a combination of finger slides.
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Instructions
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Ascending Slide
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Place your third finger on the starting note. Typically the starting note is lower in pitch than your "destination" note. The degree by which it is lower depends entirely on the type of melody that you are playing. It's important to use your third finger, because it enables your first and second fingers to access notes in the vicinity of the destination note. It's rare that you'd slide to a note and then move away immediately. Typically, slides are followed by a melodic phrase based around a scale pattern. With your fingers in the correct order for the most likely next series of notes after the slide, according to the scale you are playing within, you can continue playing with more fluidity.
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2
Pick the note softly. If you pick it too hard, the vibration will make it harder to move your finger freely. Let the note ring for a beat before you begin to slide. It's important to establish a start note, otherwise the slide has no melodic context.
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3
Move your entire hand downward along the fretboard. Anchor your thumb to the center of the back of the fretboard. Push your third finger onto the fretboard and slide it along until you reach the destination fret.
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4
Push and pull the note gently against the fretboard to create a vibrato effect. This adds movement and depth to the note while increasing sustain. Start the vibrato slide slowly and practice landing on the destination note with accuracy. If you move too quickly, you can easily overshoot your destination fret and hit a bum note.
Descending Slide
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Place your first finger on the starting note. Hold it down firm and strike the string. When descending, it's essential to use your first finger. This is for the same reason that it's important to use your third finger when sliding upward --- it readies your fingers for the most likely subsequent notes.
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Slide your hand upward along the fretboard, with your thumb anchored to the back of the fretboard for extra grip.
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7
Stop sliding as soon you hit the destination note and add a gentle vibrato.
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References
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