import javax.swing.JSlider;
...
private JSlider requestSpeed;
...
requestSpeed = new JSlider( JSlider.HORIZONTAL, -50 /* min */, 50 /* max */, 0 /* initial */ );
requestSpeed.setMajorTickSpacing( 10 );
requestSpeed.setMinorTickSpacing( 5 );
requestSpeed.setPaintTicks( true );
requestSpeed.setPaintLabels( false );
requestSpeed.setPaintTrack( true );
requestSpeed.setValue( rampSpeed );

// user changed the speed request slider
ChangeListener requestSpeedListener = new ChangeListener()
   {
   /**
   * Invoked when the target of the listener has changed its state.
   *
   * @param event a ChangeEvent object
   */
   public void stateChanged( ChangeEvent event )
      {
      int speed = requestSpeed.getValue();
      ...
      }
   };
requestSpeed.addChangeListener( requestSpeedListener );