bottleneck

techniquesBOT-ul-nekfrom English

A glass or metal slide used on the finger for slide [guitar](/term/slide%20guitar), originally made from a broken bottle nec‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌k.

In Depth

The term bottleneck refers both to the physical slide and the playing style.‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌ Early blues musicians literally broke the necks off glass bottles and used them as slides, giving the technique its name. Modern bottlenecks are precision-manufactured in various materials: glass produces a warm, smooth tone; brass is brighter and louder; ceramic falls between the two. The choice of material significantly affects the tonal character.
Did you know?

Duane Allman used a Coricidin cold medicine bottle as his slide, and after his death, the small glass bottles became collectors' items among guitarists.

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