Allman Brothers Slide Guitar Lesson: Duane Allman

So what is the best way to become really good at playing slide guitar? Well, one way is to learn the best slide guitar songs from your favorite players.  This will no doubt include the magnificent slide guitar songs from the Allman Brothers Band, played by Duane Allman.

Duane Allman is perhaps the most recognized electric slide guitar player that has ever lived.  In the Allman Brothers Band he created the most memorable and challenging, slide guitar solos ever created.  Listen to “One Way Out”, “Statesboro Blues”, “Done Somebody Wrong”,duane allman and “Don’t Keep Me Wondering”, and you’ll understand why he is considered the greatest slide guitar player of all time.

So what makes him so special?

To me, it is his creative use of rhythmic and melodic development.  He’s not too flashy, but everything he plays just seems to be the perfect part for the song.  In slide guitar you have to be careful not to play too many notes, or your playing will lose the feeling.  Duane Allman always knew which notes to put where in many of his legendary solos.

So what scale is Duane using?

Duane Allman creatively blends the pentatonic minor and major, along with the blues scale to create some truly masterful slide guitar solos.

Here are these 3 scales in open E tuning.

Minor Pentatonic

slide guitar tabs

Major Pentatonic

slide guitar tabs

Blues Scale

slide guitar tabs

By creatively blending these 3 scales when playing slide guitar, you will be able to play many of Duane’s infamous licks. 

If you would like to learn more about open e tuning, I have created 6 DVDs on how to play slide guitar in the style of Duane Allman and Derek Trucks.

Please visit Learning Guitar Now for more info about slide guitar and blues guitar.

John W Tuggle
John W Tuggle

I love teaching the blues and have created numerous training courses and lessons to learn how to play like BB King, Clapton, Duane Allman, and more. Get Started Now