How to Play Guitar With Tremolo

Tremolo can be done on any kind of guitar.

Tremolo is a tone that oscillates. Tremolo on guitar can be accomplished using differing techniques. The most basic of guitar tremolo effects are accomplished by mechanical means. A “whammy” bar is attached to the bridge of the guitar and manipulated with the guitarist’s right hand to achieve this form of tremolo. Another form of tremolo is achieved by manipulating a guitar string with one single finger on the left hand. The hardest form of tremolo is the classical tremolo. It is accomplished by rhythmic, cascading picking of strings with the fingers on the right hand.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar with whammy bar

Instructions

Whammy Tremolo

1. Pluck the strings of the guitar in open position. Let the strings ring out.

2. Cup the whammy bar in the right hand with the end of the bar in the palm of your hand.

3. Rock the bar up and down with your hand as the strings ring out. Listen for the ascending and descending tone of the strings as you rock the whammy bar up and down. Release the whammy bar. Play a chord. Grab the whammy bar. Rock the whammy bar up and down.

Finger Tremolo

1. Place your ring finger on your left hand on the third string at the seventh fret.

2. Pluck the note with the thumb on your right hand as you bend the string up with your finger.

3. Rock your left hand back and forth as you hold the string against the fret, sliding the string up and down the fret, oscillating the note. Control the speed and frequency of the tremolo by the rocking motion of your left hand.

Classical Tremolo

1. Place your middle finger on your left hand on the third fret of the sixth string—the biggest string on the guitar. Place your index finger on the second fret of the second biggest string. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the smallest string. This is a “G” chord.

2. Pluck the biggest string on the guitar with your thumb.

3. Pluck the third string with your index finger, the second string with your middle finger and the first string with your ring finger in rapid succession. Repeat the motions again starting with your thumb, following instantly with the remaining notes and fingers until a steady tremolo is heard.

Tips & Warnings

• Finger and whammy bar oscillation can be done on any string, on any fret. Classical tremolo can be done on any chord. Tremolo techniques can be accomplished through practice and familiarity of the guitar. Practice every day.

References

• Magnatone: Vibrato Or Tremelo
• Guitar Player World: How To Use The Tremelo Arm
• Guitara Magazine: Developing A Good Tremelo