Teaspoon slide technique

Upon popular request, finally, here's a blog about this unique technique of slide playing guitar using... a teaspoon..!

Most internet searches on teaspoon guitar pop material about a guy named Hannes Coetzee. Apparently he is very big in his native country (South Africa) and rightfully so, since his mastery of this technique (called  "optel and knyp"..?) is amazing.

The Porcelain Slide

I was out for strings and I stumbled upon a slide on display which the store guy said was a hot item. Initially I was like ok yeah but despite my past experience with unplanned purchases I got it and played around with it a little. Here's what the porcelain slide looks like:

It's worn on the pinky. I would categorize it under bottlenecks, it feels more like a glass slide than a metal one, however, not quite the same. At first it felt a little awkward, a little heavier, a little rougher, but like with most things after some getting used to it's starting to deliver.

Flatpick, Thumbpick, Fingerpick or Fingers?

Another issue with slide playing gear is your right hand. IMO one of the most important issues that will determine how you sound, and over the years influence your style and riffs is what you choose to strum those strings with.

First off, like with anything else, there's no right or wrong. Just different styles for different people. But I find that it helps reading about the paths that others chose, the hassles they had to deal with while on 'em and the rewards they gained in the end. So, as far as slide and bottleneck playing goes I find that each technique poses specific advantages.

Glass or metal?

IOW a tube or a bottleneck?

I get this question often from people who want to start experienting with slide playing.

Well let's see... You can get used to anything AFAIK, and really: I've seen people who have adapted their skill and style to the gear they chose ages ago.

However, those early choices are usually circumstancial, very rarely they occur with predisposition.