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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on April 18, 2015 at 9:38am

Lots of practice, and a little trick called "damping". Basically, you would lightly drag a finger on the strings behind/above the slide, which helps prevent unwanted string vibrations. Oh, right...and practice more. It will work out.

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Permalink Reply by Bufo Bill on April 18, 2015 at 9:46am

You don't sound like you're miles off getting it, light pressure is the key, and you say you are doing this. This is the tough part you are going through. Keep at it is the best advice I can give. Keep motivated too . . . Watch YouTube vids of people you like, or instructional vids to keep the spirits up. And remember at all times, "I WILL GET THIS RIGHT SOON, AND I WILL FEEL GREAT WHEN I DO".
All the best from Bill. :D

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on April 18, 2015 at 9:51am

slide rattle  can  depend  on alot of things ..  different people  hold  it  at  different  angles     and with    different  fingers  . 

even  different  slides  ..  if your angle  is  not  flat across   ,,   you    may   get   rattle on  either  end string  ,,     if  by  nature  you  cant  break  the habit  of your      finger  / wrist angle  ..  try a tapered slide  , like  a  bottle  neck  ..  try  it   both  ways  too. taperd  back  and  foward  . 

some folks also     use   their    trail   fingers to  mute the strings  behind  the slide  abit  or  palm mute  between  lifts and lands  ..  because  you are bound to  get some rattle    no  matter  what  .  

 also  there  is the     "approach"   to  the  string     , i  say "approach"  because ; think   of the  slide  as an  airplane    landing   on the string    at an  angle,   and  approach  the  string as  such  ..this  will  reduce   rattle  .

   a head on  drop  is  more likely to  produce rattle , 

the same  with  lift  off    .  unless   you  hit   or  let  go of all strings  at the  same time . ( usually  your  natural  finger  angle  is   still  contacting  the   bottom  string .

bottom line  ,  the more  you  play ,  the more  you will  find  out  what works best   for you  . 

it  will  get  better  . 

then again  ..  some  folks  let  it  rattle away     and  call  it  "character"  ;-)

 that works too. 

a good  tip -  is to  get  down at  eye level  with  your strings ,,  and   your  slide  and try  to  make  it  rattle  ..  once you see   close  up  what causes    string  rattle  ,, it  is easier  to  avoid it  and  compensate  your  technique   for it  .    

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Curley on April 18, 2015 at 2:40pm

All good advice, nothing really to add except that it's a common thing for all of us so don't be discouraged. Love the airplane analogy. Here's a vid on the subject that may help.

https://youtu.be/iyd43eAMF4E

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Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on April 19, 2015 at 4:47am

I used to play stuff like Joe Walsh and the classic 'Free Bird' on an electric guitar. Extra light strings. GHS '9's. The strings were set up so low a passing breeze could play a tune on it. I used a very light glass slide. A Clayton thinwall.

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/CLAYTON-GLASS-GUITAR-SLIDE-CASE-STAGE-STUDI...

It takes a light touch and a lot of dedication. And worth the effort. Because it can be done. 

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Permalink Reply by Hex on April 19, 2015 at 11:37am

Thanks chap, glad it's not just me. I am in for the long haul. I started off as a bassist (12 bar blues) and to be honest while I have played tenor banjo, mandolin, mandola and uke I have only really understood the blues. CBG is where it's at, end of story. 

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