r/guitarlessons • u/Cone567 • 8h ago

Question power chords sliding problem

Hi, i am having problem when sliding power chords it sound sloppy and not right.
When am playing iron man and when it gets to quick sliding part it sounds so horrible.

2 Upvotes

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6

u/NegaDoug 8h ago

Practice. Start slowly, preferably to a metronome, until you can achieve clean slides. Then gradually speed it up until you're at the correct tempo.

This will help both for this song in particular and the technique in general.

3

u/SCSteveAutism 7h ago

Get them calluses up baby. Then you’re sliding

1

u/Cone567 6h ago

I think i have em bcs i stopped getting pain in fingers.

3

u/Guitar_Guy1965 7h ago

I think I know what you mean. Are your two fingers getting to the right fret at different times? If that's the case try to stiffen them up a little bit when you slide. If you need some help working on this do it as an exercise, or learn some songs like where have all the Good Times Gone on Van Halen's driver down album. 90% of that song is sliding power chords around

2

u/DarkEden71 2h ago

Without hearing/seeing you, I don't know what the specific issue it is you're having - but one thing I'd suggest - when you're struggling with anything really - is simplifying and slowing down.

Break the song down to its basic parts. Take the part you're struggling with and play it really slowly. Just play the first two chords of the part you're struggling with and play them really slowly - finger the first chord, then slide to the second. Just practice doing this - forget about the song, don't worry about speed - just practice the slide. Then maybe introduce the third chord - and so on.

Just practice like this slowly - and do it regularly. Over time - and maybe not very much time - it will start to feel more natural, and then you will be able to start to play it faster.

Practice playing the part at a ridiculously slow speed, and practice it regularly - and then the speed will come naturally.

1

u/fadetobackinblack 5h ago edited 4h ago

How are you fingering power chords? If you are sliding and barring the 5th and octave, that'll be much harder to get clean.

1

u/InternationalLaw8660 58m ago edited 52m ago

So... You're not really giving much to go off without video at a minimum.

But. First thing I'd look at is how you're gripping the neck. Are you squeezing hard, making sliding more difficult? Are your fingers getting stuck? Death gripping the neck will do that.

Getting the fret hand grip right is a common struggle though. Gripping the neck isn't like a handshake, you really shouldn't be squeezing or anything. Your fingers should be applying only enough pressure on the string to sound a note cleanly.

If your fret hand gently cradles the neck and you fret softly, sliding should be a breeze.

1

u/Ricardo_Dmgz 33m ago

Sliding power chords has a rhythm/timing element to it. Maybe tapping your foot to it while you play might help? Sounds too simple to be true but we feel music physically as well. Think the speed intensity and mood with which you nod your to the sounds