The Purpose Of The Whammy Bar…

There actually a ton of name in which this incredible guitar accessory has been labeled. Examples its nicknames include the vibrato bar, twang bar, tremolo arm, and the tremolo bar. That’s quite a few, I know. No matter what you call it, the tremolo bar or whammy bar has one core function and that’s to create a vibrato kind of sound on the guitar.

With help of some creativity and imagination, the whammy bar can be used in a ton of situations. If you play around with it enough and just experiment, you’ll find and unlimited number of sounds this thing can generate.

Where can you find this thing called the “whammy bar?” Well, if you look right along the bridge of the guitar, you’ll have found it. To be able to use a whammy bar, there needs to be a hole at the bottom of the bridge where the strings tuck in. If the hole is not present on the guitar, then it might not be possible to use the whammy bar (…what a bummer).

But for those of you that do have a hole in your guitar, you’re in for something really special. You’ll be able to generate sounds that aren’t even imaginable on another guitar. You’ll be able to formulate sounds that are much deeper than normal, sounds full of dissonance.
The whammy bar gives the best sound when played on just one note instead of the whole chord.

It needs to be pressed down gently towards the guitar while pointing the bar in the direction of the head stock. Players use the whammy bar to make their compositions exclusive and more effective.

Though the whammy gels the best with a single note, it can also be used with the entire chord. By pressing the whammy bar down slowly, a player can generate a very soothing effect. But this needs to be done correctly to get the desired melodious effect for the listeners. Extra care should be rendered when using the whammy bar for chords. It can get chaotic if you don’t go slowly on it.

There are different variations that can be tried with the whammy bar. Positioning of the whammy bar plays a very important part in creating music. Like when you hold the whammy in the direction of the head stock. This makes the sound a softer and deeper. When you hold the whammy bar facing the bottom of the guitar and play it softly, it results in the pitch going up.

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“The Minor 7th Chord”

Here is my twist of the minor 7th chord. I like to play it in the 3rd inversion. You’re probably thinking, “what is the 3rd inversion?” Here’s a small lesson on inversions:

When the 7th tone of the major scale is played as the lowest note, the chord is said to be in it’s “3rd inversion.” For example, in C major, here is each numbered scale degree (or tone):

C = 1
D = 2
E = 3
F = 4
G = 5
A = 6
B = 7

Obviously, if we’re playing a 7th chord (whether major or minor), we will be playing either a “B” or “Bb.” Remember, we play “B” in a “C major seventh chord” and a “Bb” in a “C dominant or minor seventh chord.”

The C minor 7 chord is as follow:

Bass = C

Right hand = C + Eb + G + Bb

Now, I don’t personally prefer playing it this way. I change two things about the chord above:

1) Again, I switch to the “3rd inversion” of the chord (which means that the Bb will be played as the lowest note)

Right hand = Bb + C + Eb + G

2) Then, I get rid of the C because it crowds the chord. Besides, I’m probably already playing “C” on the bass with my left hand.

Right hand = Bb + Eb + G

Here’s a look at the final chord:

Bass = C

Right hand = Bb + Eb + G

This chord is usually played in Gospel and Blues music. If you wanted to include it in a “1-4″ turnaround, simply lower the “Bb” to A and change the bass from “C” to “F”:

Bass = F

Right hand = A + Eb + G

Conclusion:

(Bb + Eb + G / bass = C) — (A + Eb + G / bass = F)

This concludes this tip. See you tomorrow for the last tip of this series!

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“The Famous 2-5-1 Chord Progression”

a) Dmin9 Chord (pronounced “D minor ninth chord”)

Bass = D

Right hand = F + A + C + E

b) G13 chord (pronounced “G thirteenth chord”)

Bass = G

Right hand = F + A + C + E

Note: This is the same chord above but since the bass is different, the chord is titled “G13″ instead of “Dmin9.”

c) Cmaj9 chord (pronounced “C major ninth chord”)

Bass = C

Right hand = E + G + B + D

Now, play each chord consecutively (right after the other)…

Dmin9 –> G13 –> Cmaj9

*** This type of progression is commonly heard in jazz and worship music! I hope you enjoyed … see you tomorrow!

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