How to Use a Whammy Bar

The vibrato bar is known by many names: tremolo bar, whammy bar and wang bar, to name just a few. It is part of a guitar's bridge that allows musicians to raise and lower the pitch of notes smoothly and in rapid succession, known as vibrato. The whammy bar can be used to create other sounds as well, both musical and non-musical. Guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen have made these effects part of their signature styles. The whammy bar is used in rockabilly and country music as well as rock and roll.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar with vibrato bridge and whammy bar Guitar pick or plectrum (optional) Guitar amplifier (optional) Instrument cable (optional)

1. Attach the whammy bar to the bridge. Seat the bar in the corresponding hole on the tailpiece and rotate clockwise. Most vibrato systems feature removable whammy bars; but others, such as the Bigsby, are permanently affixed.

2. Hold the guitar in your favorite playing position, either standing or sitting. If you're playing through an amp, plug the guitar into the amp and set the amp to the desired volume and tone.

3. Position the whammy bar so that it's within easy reach of your plucking hand but doesn't interfere with your playing. The distance is a matter of comfort and depends on the size of your hands and your playing style.

4. Grasp the whammy bar with one or more fingers of your plucking hand. Your grip should be firm but comfortable.

5. Strike a chord or note while repeatedly depressing and releasing the whammy bar in time to the music. Pushing or pulling the bar lowers and raises the pitch accordingly. Releasing pressure returns the note to its original tuning.

Tips & Warnings

• Using a tremolo can cause the guitar to go out of tune. Check and adjust the tuning periodically. Remove the whammy bar, if possible, before storing the guitar in its case. This helps the instrument stay in tune and protects your gear.
• Exposure to loud noises for extended periods could lead to permanent hearing loss. Keep volumes to acceptable levels or wear hearing protection.

Resources

• Whammy Bar Lessons