The slide is one of the most effective and lyrical techniques you can use to make your ukulele playing sound fluid, smooth, and professional. Instead of distinct, separated notes, the slide creates a seamless journey between two different frets, linking them together with a smooth, expressive glide. This technique adds immense musicality and emotion to simple chord changes or melody lines. While it may look and sound complex, the slide is a foundational skill that is easy to master and instantly elevates your playing from robotic to dynamic.
The Mechanics of the Slide
Executing a perfect slide is simple, but it relies entirely on maintaining pressure and intention. To perform a slide, first fret the starting note with your finger (let's say the 5th fret). Strum the string once while holding that initial note. Crucially, before the note fully fades, maintain the exact same pressure on the string and immediately glide that same finger down the fretboard to the destination fret (for example, the 7th fret). The key is to slide without lifting your finger from the fretboard, allowing the original note to mutate smoothly into the new note. The second note is not plucked again; it is simply heard as the result of the physical movement of your finger.
The Emotional and Tonal Effect
The slide technique is not just about moving from A to B; it's about adding emotional weight to the transition. When you slide, the tone subtly shifts, creating a smooth, swooping, and connected effect that sounds far more expressive than simply striking two notes separately. The physical movement creates a momentary, smooth glissando—a ripple in the sound—that ties two phrases together. This fluidity is particularly useful in mellow, narrative-driven songs where you want the music to sound like a continuous voice. Conversely, failing to maintain pressure will kill the note mid-slide, resulting in an unwelcome, muted buzzing sound.
Reading the Slide in Tabs and Famous Examples
In ukulele tablature (tabs), the slide is usually represented by a forward slash (/) or a backward slash () between the two fret numbers. For example, a tab reading 5/7 means you strike the note at the 5th fret and slide up to the 7th fret without striking again. A tab reading 7\5 indicates a slide down. This technique is famously and frequently used in songs like "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, where the smooth chord slides contribute heavily to the song's relaxed, flowing rhythm and feel. Learning to recognize and execute the slash in tabs is essential for performing expressive, intermediate-level repertoire.
The Only Ukulele Guide You'll Ever Need
You have now added the expressive slide technique to your toolkit, moving you well past the basics of simple chord changes. This movement adds beautiful lyrical quality to your playing, but it also demands a stronger foundation in rhythm, timing, and note-reading to be used effectively. The next step is mastering the comprehensive structure that truly connects all these individual skills.
The Complete Ukulele Player eBook is the single, structured resource that takes you from a complete beginner to a confident, assured player. It covers essential techniques, detailed rhythm exercises, and the comprehensive repertoire of popular songs you need to seamlessly integrate the slide and other advanced techniques into your music.
