Whammy bars (or tremolo arms) are small bar-shaped accessories designed to alter the pitch of notes or chords by moving an arm up and down. Whammy bars can create some stunning effects – think dive-bombs, flutters, and other unexpected pitch variations!
Bass guitars with whammy bars have become increasingly popular, particularly within the metal genre of djent. Check out Jeff Beck’s track to witness an astounding demonstration of bass whammy bar manipulation.
Manipulate the pitch of your notes.
An electric bass guitar equipped with a whammy bar allows bassists to manipulate the pitch of notes played on their instrument and create unique sounds and effects that help them stand out amongst a band or on stage. However, it is important for bassists to understand both its limitations and risks associated with using one in order to safely incorporate it into their playing style.
A whammy bar is a small metal rod attached to the bridge of a bass guitar which can be depressed or raised to cause its string pitch to change, creating unique effects and soundscapes impossible without this device. While most often found on electric guitars, bass guitars sometimes offer it as an optional extra.
If you’re uncertain if your bass guitar can accommodate a whammy bar, consider visiting a music store for professional assistance. A bassist experienced with modifing instruments can assess its condition and determine if installing a tremolo mechanism would be feasible.
Bassists commonly utilize whammy bars in several ways, including adding vibrato to their playing and creating dive bombs. This technique adds flair and creativity to any performance.
Slapping and popping are other popular whammy bar techniques for bass guitar. Slapping involves striking strings with the thumb of the strumming hand while popping snaps them with your index finger.
Bassists can go beyond these basic whammy bar tricks by also using them to produce harmonics and shrieks using their whammy bars. To create shrieks, bassists should place the bar above any of the fifth, seventh, or twelfth frets to produce a shrieking-sounding tone that produces a shriek-like shriek sound.
When practicing with a whammy bar, remember that less is more. Overstretching or pressing too hard could result in your bass guitar detuning or breaking its strings if too much pressure is applied to it. To avoid this from happening, seek advice from professionals or fellow musicians before pushing too hard with your instrument.
Add a touch of vibrato.
Add vibrato to your bass guitar playing can add great depth and character. Not only can it create an intriguing tone, but it can help set you apart from other bassists. Vibrato can be especially helpful during soloing as a powerful dive bomb effect; or create subtle vibrato that adds an ambient and ethereal sound to your playing.
Most modern bass guitars will come equipped with a vibrato mechanism in their bridge, while older models may not. If you want to use a whammy bar, however, installing one yourself could prove challenging; luckily many music shops provide this service at a relatively inexpensive price.
A whammy bar is a metal bar that sits atop your bridge, and when pressed upon, will move up and down in response to pressure applied from pressing down on it, creating pitch bends in your strings. Depending on the number and length of springs attached to it, upward or downward pitch bends can be accomplished; some tremolo systems like Bigsby or Floyd Rose only permit for downward pitch bends while others will also let you raise pitch of strings.
If you plan on using a whammy bar, it is essential that you hone your techniques so you can create various sounds with it. One effective way of doing so is listening to various genres of music — everything from minimal surf rock to shredding chaos can help give insight into how using the instrument can create different effects and give inspiration for personal playing style.
When practicing, be mindful not to press too hard on the bar; overdoing it could damage your guitar; make sure to only use it in a slow and reasonable speed manner. Also practice different types of whammy bar techniques, like the shriek and gargle.
Add a dramatic dive bomb.
Whammy bars can add musical decoration and flair to your bass guitar playing, giving it that special something it needs. Experimentation will reveal which styles work best for you.
One of the classic whammy bar effects is the dive bomb. This technique adds drama and intensity to soloing or as an ending riff, by striking a note or chord and rapidly depressing your whammy bar until its pitch drops sharply before quickly returning back up again. Heavy metal soloists frequently utilize this dramatic effect; so be sure to include it when creating bass guitar solos!
Pinching harmonics is another fun way to use the whammy bar; all it requires is striking a pinch harmonic with your fretting hand and quickly depressing the whammy bar – you should hear an effect similar to vibrato but more striking – which creates an eye-catching tone similar to vibrato vibrato effects – something worth trying in bass guitar solos to give them more flair and flavor!
Your whammy bar can also help create other exciting sounds, like gargles and squeals. To do this, hit a note then quickly flick upwards or downwards the whammy bar – this will produce low screams to high whines and squeals that give your bass guitar a truly distinct and distinctive sound! This technique works particularly well when applied to metal music genres and will add new elements of differentiation from its usual soundscape.
Add a touch of swagger.
Whammy bars are small bendy rods attached to bass guitars that allow musicians to change the pitch of notes they are playing by applying pressure to them – often through tapping. When these rods are activated by playing pressured notes, their pitch bends downward, either ascending or descending depending on how hard or softly the performer presses down on them.
This effect can create the impression that a chord is both ascending and descending simultaneously. Rock guitar players frequently utilize this technique to add flair and excitement to their solos; perhaps most notably David Gilmour used one on Pink Floyd’s classic song “Money”.
Bass guitarists can add an extra swagger to their music by employing the use of a whammy bar for dramatic dive bombs. This technique is particularly popular among heavy metal musicians, as it helps produce thick bass tones ideal for creating massive soundscapes.
Addition of a whammy bar can add extra expression and expression to your bass playing, but should be done properly to avoid danger. If you plan to install a vibrato mechanism onto your bass guitar, professional advice should be sought first to ensure it’s done safely and correctly.
Vibrato mechanisms may be difficult to install on a bass guitar due to its unique body and neck profile. Before purchasing any bar you want, do your research on which model best fits your guitar – there are various types available such as the Squier Bass Whammy Bar which may provide assistance.
Along with these tips, it is also wise to run some practice runs with your new whammy bar prior to taking it onto the stage. This will give you an idea of its sound quality and allow for any adjustments necessary.