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”, 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 develoment.  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

Major Pentatonic

Blues Scale

By creatively blending these 3 scales when playing slide guitar, you will be able to play many of Duane’s infamous licks.  I’ve recently put together some video tutorials on how to play like Duane Allman on my website.  I specifically show you how to play “One Way Out”, “Done Somebody Wrong“, and “Statesboro Blues”.

If you’re interested in learning any of these songs please check out www.learningguitarnow.com

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John W. Tuggle is a recommended instructor by Gibson.com,  on how to play like Duane Allman.

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