What are glide strokes?

[Flacomd30]

Hello all, so I have picked up a classical method book and have come across “glide strokes”. What exactly are these and how are they played? Is it like playing a chord but only on two to three strings with a loose pick hold? Google searched and searched on you tube, google gives me videos on people playing classical pieces, you tube tells me how to improve my breast stroke in the pool...

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[derbex]

I take them to mean that notes are played across the strings in a 'single' movement. That is not 'up down' plucking, and not a strum, each note is distinct but the pick 'glides' across the strings to give a 'smoother' sound than staccato all up or all down strokes.

I feel I will have probably confused you, I have confused myself.

[DavidKOS]

That's pretty much what it is - a controlled sweep picking movement, not exactly a strum, but not individual picking either except the timing.

[Mark Gunter]

What I usually call a brush? Like gently brushing across the strings so that there is some tiny separation between the sounding of each string, but not enough to sound like individual notes or arpeggio. A really beautiful, soft sound that is pretty awesome on certain chords in certain places in certain tunes. Easier to demonstrate than describe.

[JeffD]

In a glide stroke your pick comes to rest on the top string of the course you are going to.


That is my understanding. Others can explain better.

[Jairo Ramos]

In this video of the Maestro Reichenbach we can see the use of the glide stroke or coulé:



In the score of this piece is indicated where to use the coulé or glide stroke.

[Flacomd30]

Jairo thank you! That is a perfect example and amazing mando work!