Learn to play "You Gotta Move" by Mississippi Fred McDowell on slide guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play You Gotta Move on the slide guitar. This Blues standard, popularized by Mississippi Fred McDowell and later covered by The Rolling Stones, is a fantastic introduction to slide guitar techniques. Let's dive in!

Slide guitar is a unique and expressive way of playing that can add a new dimension to your guitar skills. It's all about using a slide (or bottleneck) to glide along the strings, creating that distinctive, soulful sound that's so characteristic of Blues music.

For this lesson, we're using a resonator guitar in open D tuning. Don't worry if you don't have a resonator—this will work just fine on an acoustic or electric guitar, too. The key is to set your guitar up with a slightly higher action than usual, making it easier to play with a slide.

Open D Tuning

Before we start, let's talk about the tuning. We're using open D tuning, which gives us a nice, rich sound that's perfect for slide guitar. Your strings should be tuned to D A D F♯ A D. This means that when you strum all the open strings, you'll hear a beautiful D chord.

If you're new to alternate tunings, don't worry! There are plenty of free resources to help you get comfortable with open D. Once you've got your guitar in tune, you're ready to start sliding!

The Basics of Slide Technique

Slide guitar requires finesse and control. To master this technique, keep these key points in mind: Position the slide directly above the fret, not behind it, as you would with regular fretting. Apply just enough pressure to produce a clear note without touching the frets. Muting is crucial - use your picking hand to silence strings you're not playing, preventing unwanted noise and ensuring a cleaner sound. For a smooth vibrato effect, keep your thumb stationary on the back of the neck while moving the slide. Don't worry if your playing sounds a bit loose or rattly at first - that's part of the charm of slide guitar and adds to its unique character.

The Riff

Now, let's talk about the main riff of You Gotta Move. It's a simple yet powerful lick that forms the backbone of the entire song. We'll start on the thinnest string, sliding up to create that bluesy feel.

The beauty of this riff is in its simplicity. It's mostly played on the top two strings, with occasional dips down to the lower strings for some bass notes. As you play, focus on getting a smooth slide between the notes and maintaining a steady rhythm.

Adding Some Flavor

Once you've mastered the basic riff, it's time to add some extra flair to your playing. Start by incorporating percussive hits with your picking hand on beat 2, introducing a nice rhythmic element to your performance. Next, try mixing in some fretted notes alongside your slide playing. This combination creates an interesting contrast and adds depth to your sound. Don't forget to use vibrato on held notes—this is where slide guitar truly shines, allowing you to express emotion through subtle pitch variations.

As you experiment with these techniques, always keep in mind that your ultimate goal is to make the guitar sing. Let the notes ring out and resonate, feeling the emotion in the music. With practice, you'll develop a feel for when to use each technique, creating a rich and expressive sound that captures the essence of slide guitar Blues.

Putting It All Together

Now that we've covered the individual elements, it's time to put it all together. The structure of You Gotta Move is fairly straightforward, with the main riff repeating throughout the song. As you play, try to maintain a steady rhythm and really sink into the groove of the music.

Don't worry if you can't play it perfectly right away. Slide guitar takes time and practice to master. The key is to enjoy the process and have fun with it. As you get more comfortable, you can add your own variations and make the song your own.

Final Thoughts

Learning slide guitar can be a bit challenging at first, but it's incredibly rewarding. You Gotta Move is a fantastic song to start with because it's relatively simple, yet it allows you to explore many of the fundamental techniques of slide guitar.

Remember, practicing regularly and being patient with yourself are the most important things. Slide guitar is as much about feel as it is about technique, so take the time to really listen to your playing and adjust as needed.

As you practice, try listening to both Mississippi Fred McDowell's original and The Rolling Stones' cover versions of the song. This will give you a sense of how different artists interpret the same song and might inspire you to try your own variations.

Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. That's how we learn and grow as musicians. And who knows? You might discover a new lick or technique that becomes part of your signature style!

I hope this lesson inspires you to pick up a slide and start exploring the world of slide guitar. It's a fantastic technique that can add depth and emotion to your playing. Keep practicing, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep having fun with your music!

In the video, I'll walk you through each part of the song step-by-step, demonstrating the techniques and giving you tips to improve your playing. So grab your guitar, get your slide ready, hit play on the video, and let's dive into the soulful world of You Gotta Move. I can't wait to see what you'll create with these new skills. Happy playing, and I'll see you in the next lesson!

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