This piece by the great Robert Johnson is one of the most identifiable slide songs and licks ever, and is an important part of slide guitar development for you. In this example, we are using open E tuning to play its classic main lick, as well as the famous slide fills it incorporates.

It involves many slide guitar techniques, as well as “literal” interpretation of the lyrics, and some really critical right-hand blocking and damping. This helps the “vocal” quality of the piece along, and helps you isolate the rhythmic parts from the more “lonesome” fills and licks that are so critical to this song. Hope you enjoy!—Arlen Roth