WHAT IS SINGING SLIDE GUITAR?
Singing Slide Guitar is an in-depth study of Stanly Bactian’s expressive, vocal-inspired approach to slide guitar.
An Indonesian guitarist whose playing draws from traditional slide, Sacred Steel, and a modern electric-guitar vocabulary, Stanly approaches the slide as an extension of the human voice. The goal of the course is not simply to learn slide licks, but to develop the pitch control, touch, and phrasing needed to make the guitar sing. Stanly starts with the foundations of intonation and right-hand muting, then works through vibrato, riffs and runs, dynamics, call and response, motifs, and solo construction.
A big part of Stanly’s approach is learning how to take a simple melody and give it more character. He demonstrates how to approach notes from above and below, connect ideas with runs, use different types of vibrato, shape phrases with the volume pedal, and develop motifs into a solo that feels connected from beginning to end. The course eventually brings all of these ideas together in a complete performance piece, built up step by step from the original melody.
The course also includes a bonus solo breakdown, extended technical discussion, and Q&A covering Stanly’s tone, recording approach, guitar setup, strings, slides, and more.
TOPICS INCLUDE
- Developing accurate slide intonation and pitch control
- Right-hand muting for clean, controlled playing
- Creating vocal-style riffs, runs, and phrasing
- Using different types of vibrato for expression
- Shaping dynamics with the volume pedal
- Developing ideas through call and response and motifs
- Building expressive solos with shape and direction
- Applying the techniques in a complete performance piece
COURSE BREAKDOWN
- Chapter 1: Singing Slide Foundations develops the fundamentals of intonation, muting, scale work, interval control, and translating familiar guitar vocabulary to slide.
- Chapter 2: Vocal Style Playing focuses on riffs and runs, vibrato, dynamics, and the techniques Stanly uses to give slide guitar a more vocal quality.
- Chapter 3: Combining Techniques brings the concepts together through call and response, motif development, and solo building.
- Chapter 4: Singing Slide Song applies everything to a complete piece, building from a simple melody into a fully developed slide performance.
Bonus material includes a solo breakdown, extended technical discussion, and Q&A covering Stanly’s tone, recording approach, guitar setup, strings, slides, and more.
