Derek Trucks Slide Guitar Lesson

If you’re trying to learn some red-hot blues slide guitar, then you will no doubt want to listen to and learn some of Derek Truck’s slide guitar licks.

His slide guitar playing is nothing short of phenomenal, and his tone will make you cry the blues.  In short he has that special something all blues guitar players strive for, FEEL.

Yes, every note he plays seems to drip full of emotion and character.  It’s no wonder he went on tour with Clapton to replicate the sound of the Dominos.

Derek makes efficient use of the minor pentatonic, major pentatonic, and blues scales when playing solos.  He masterfully blends together these scales to create powerful slide guitar solos ranging from Elmore James, Duane Allman, and Ravi Shankar.

If you want to play like Derek you will need to apply these 3 things to your slide guitar playing.

  1. Control When playing slide guitar, you need to be able to mute any string at any given point in time.  If you can’t control which strings are ringing, dampening will be the #1 thing that sets you back when playing this kind of style.
  2. Space Just like a singer has to breathe, the slide guitarist needs to play nothing every once in while.  By doing this, you will make your solos mean more and phrasing will become more articulate.
  3. Melody If you can’t hum it then why play it?  It really can be true of slide guitar.  It’s one of the closest instruments that can mimic the human voice.  You need to be able to make that guitar sing, literallly!

What is your favorite Derek Trucks song? Make a comment below and let me know.

If you’re interested in learning more about this style of slide guitar playing, check out my DVD, Slide Guitar DVD Method 4: Playin’ the blues.

For more info about Slide guitar and Blues Guitar please visit Learning Guitar Now.

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

17 Comments

  1. My favorite Derek Trucks song is a hard question I must admit, but a few of the top ones are: Gonna Move, Joyful Noise, Leaving Trunk (the cover is amazing), and I Wish I Knew

  2. My favorite Derek song has got to be Anyday with Susan Tedeshi at the Crossroads Blues Festival last year. His solo in that song totally moves me. I also really like Joyful Noise.

    He has inspired me to finally learn how to play blues guitar. Maybe slide too!

  3. John–the one that I have worn out the most is “Feel So Bad,” the cover from the Live at Georgia Theater recording. The first song I heard that really got me into the band is “I’d Rather be Blind Crippled and Crazy” from Songlines. Excellent display of the band’s rhythm and talent.

    What is your fave?

  4. In my opinion, Derek Trucks really shines on the Allman Brothers – “Live at the Beacon Theatre” dvd. This is probably my favorite Derek Truck’s examples of slide guitar. The reason he shines on this particular dvd is because of his technical proficiency, the energy created onstage, and also in the crowd. He becomes inspired by the talent of his bandmates which help him pull out some of the most incredible slide guitar playing I have ever heard. I love every song on this dvd but my favorite examples of Derek on fire can be heard in songs like “Instrumental Illness”, “Maydell”, “Rockin’ Horse” and the classic “Whippin’ Post!”

  5. I love the main theme line from Sahib Teri Bandi. As far as his solos go, he has blown my mind many times when I have seen him with the Allman Brothers and I can’t really pick one!

    I am looking forward to the new DVD!

  6. I think my favorite song as of now, is the new one, “Down in the Flood”. It will be on the new album due out in January. I pre-ordered the album, and my CD will be signed by the band.

    You can pre-order and get an autographed copy here,
    http://derektrucksband.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=633_15279

    As of just plain sheer slide prowess, I really like “Feels so Bad” from “Live at the Georgia Theatre”. The dynamics during the solo are incredible!

    Thanks for all the comments.

  7. The goosebumps returned with “flood”-awesome tune. Thanks for the heads up on the autographed copy!

  8. I’ve been meaning to check out Derek Trucks for some time now. This clip sealed the deal though… I need to hear more.

  9. I really like John’s teaching. It is easy to follow but work is required. I like Derek Truck’s lead in “Ain’t That Loving You”, because he plays three different styles and tones off of each other. Two slide breaks with a non-slide lead in between. The first slide lead is my favorite because of the tone and intricate extremely fast movement at the end. It leaves you wanting more.
    I also like the intro Derek plays on “Too Many Tears” by Buddy Guy. It is a classic intro and played to perfection in my opinion. It inspires and sets the tone for the whole song. You can feel it.

  10. Anytime he does Key to the Highway with the Allmans, his band or Soul Stew, it is amazing. That haunting intro to Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni is also one of my favorites

    William

  11. Being from Florida, I remember seeing him back when he was a kid and he was good back then. He’s definitely a legend now.

  12. mine would have to be off the already free album…down in the flood…it is by far one of the more “blusier” tracks they’ve recorded.

  13. Maybe Baby off Songlines Live is my favorite DTB song right now. The slide play is incredible.

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