The most iconic tool the bluesman has used throughout the years (other than his guitar itself) is the slide. There have been many variations on the slide, however, the most widely used in the early days were the glass bottleneck and the knife blade. The resonator guitar became the preferred instrument of many musicians which emits a very distinct and often haunting moan.
Perhaps the first mention of a guitarist using a slide was from blues legend W.C. Handy. At a Tutwiler, Mississippi, train station in the early 20th century, the band leader heard a man play in this style with a knife blade and it had a profound effect on Handy.
Probably little known to early, rural bluesmen in the American South, slide playing was also a popular method in Hawaii.
Many contemporary musicians have shown just how versatile the slide can be. Virtuosi such as Duane Allman, Sonny Landreth, Derek Trucks, David Gilmore, and Ry Cooder.
Refer to these links to learn more about the blues slide. Happy listening!
A history of the pedal steel by PremierGuitar.com
A Mini Guide to Slide Guitar from Dawsons.co.uk
The Top 10 Slide Guitarists by WristRock.com
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