Music

Tom’s Signature Slide

The TD Signature slide has been developed by Tom over 20 years or more. It combines the weight of steel with the sound qualities of glass in a bottleneck of small outside diameter. Perfect for the best balance of sound with ease of use. The slide is made from half glass, (especially hardened to prevent scoring), and half stainless steel bonded together to form a tube. Players have the choice of two playing surfaces in one slide and for certain instruments, some players prefer the sound of the steel surface whilst others prefer the warm tones produced by the glass surface. Each slide comes in a pre formed pack with a CD of Tom’s music and his introduction to the Evo Slide and a velvet bag.

Tom’s Guitar Technique

Borne out of necessity, Tom’s technique is truly unique and all his own. He is therefore recognisable and has many trademark sounds such as using sounds produced at both sides of the string through not damping behind the slide. Along with his ability to play bass lines and inner strings, Tom produces specific voicing and chord structures finding fantastic variety from Jazz chords and modal influences through to single string runs and the use of his own tunings promote his sound and accompaniment. His picking technique also allow for extra right hand damping and changes in attack and volume when required.

Contact Tom directly for more information or enquiries about teaching and workshops.

Tom’s Guitar Tunings

The perceived disadvantages of playing complex notation with lap style bottleneck (without bar twists), makes it necessary to have imaginative tunings and techniques. Below are some of the common and some less common tunings that Tom uses along with examples of tunes and songs played in a particular tuning.

OPEN G or Spanish Tuning DGDGBD
Banty Rooaster, Chauffer Blues

G SUS 4th DGDGCD
Darlin’ Cora (Key of D) Come back baby
Gminor DGDGBbD

Ben Hall

Gminor6 DGDGFD Grandma’s Hands
Can’t see your face – Grandma’s Hands
Ebmaj7 DGDEbBbD
The Bell – The Soldier’s Wife
Open DMajor DADF#AD
Into the Bong, Come on in my kitchen
DADGAD

Tell Me
DGDGAD
To know you is to love you
Dminor DADFAD
Shaggy Hound Blues
Eminor 4th EAEGBE
Somethin’ ain’t right, Eleanor Rigby