Slide

What it means

Slide is an English term with two musical meanings that are to be kept apart.

In ornament theory, slide designates the figure called Schleifer in German: two or more stepwise notes leading up to the main note. The notes are executed individually, not gliding.

In the performance practice of string instruments and in popular music, by contrast, slide means an actual glide: the finger slides on the string from one note to another, so that the pitch changes steplessly. In this meaning the term stands close to portamento and the glissando. At the same time the word designates the metal or glass cylinder with which such gliding sounds are produced on the guitar.

Which meaning is intended results from the context: in early music the ornament, in guitar and popular music the glide.

In the notation

As an ornament, slide appears like the Schleifer: small notes before the main note. As a gliding note it is indicated by a straight line between two noteheads, in tablatures often by a diagonal stroke between two fret numbers. The direction of the line shows whether the glide goes up or down.

Musical use

As an ornament, the figure belongs to the music of the Baroque, where it leads into notes and prepares leaps. As a gliding note it shapes the sound of blues, country, and rock music; on the guitar the manner of playing with the cylinder is a technique of its own with a characteristic, singing tone.

In jazz it is a frequent means of expression. On the guitar it arises through sliding the finger on the string, on the trombone through the slide. Unlike the glissando, it usually connects only two notes.

Performance practice

Clarify first which meaning is intended — everything further depends on this. When gliding, execute the movement briskly and reach the goal note in time, instead of gliding the whole note duration. Keep the pressure even during the glide, so that the tone does not break off. And use the device sparingly; used often it loses its effect.