The "whammy bar" goes by many other names as well: wham bar, wang bar, vibrato tailpiece, tremolo arm, Floyd, etc. (Although "Floyd" properly refers only to the "Locking Tremolo System" designed by Floyd Rose). The names come from manufacturers or from users.
Although some refer to this device as a "tremolo bar" or a "tremolo arm", the use of the word "tremolo" is misplaced. Tremolo refers to volume modulation. The term was originally used for instruments of the violin family. If a violinist's (or violist's or cellist's or bassist's) score is marked "tremolo", it means the player will rapidly move the bow back and forth across the string, resulting in a "trembling" sound.
"Vibrato", by contrast, is pitch modulation. Returning to the violin family: watch a violinist's left hand wiggle quickly while holding down a string. By moving her hand this way, the violinist is constantly and subtlely changing the pitch of the string. This makes the sound of the string very "wide" and "alive" -- more "vibrant."
The wham bar on the guitar changes the pitch of the gutar's strings. Therefore, it's properly referred to as a "vibrato" device, not a "tremolo" device.
Although some refer to this device as a "tremolo bar" or a "tremolo arm", the use of the word "tremolo" is misplaced. Tremolo refers to volume modulation. The term was originally used for instruments of the violin family. If a violinist's (or violist's or cellist's or bassist's) score is marked "tremolo", it means the player will rapidly move the bow back and forth across the string, resulting in a "trembling" sound.
"Vibrato", by contrast, is pitch modulation. Returning to the violin family: watch a violinist's left hand wiggle quickly while holding down a string. By moving her hand this way, the violinist is constantly and subtlely changing the pitch of the string. This makes the sound of the string very "wide" and "alive" -- more "vibrant."
The wham bar on the guitar changes the pitch of the gutar's strings. Therefore, it's properly referred to as a "vibrato" device, not a "tremolo" device.
You can use the whammy bar for anything from a subtle vibrato to a full on crazed dive bomb.
Is that finger vibrato, or is he using the whammy bar?
Is that finger vibrato, or is he using the whammy bar?
by Daniel Eickmann November 24, 2007
Get the whammy barmug. by Feloni June 25, 2005
Get the titty-barsmug. A bar with an extremely unfriendly atmosphere, particularly towards newcomers. Usually only frequented by sleazy-looking patrons who are longtime local regulars, and run by owners with questionable character. One step below a dive bar.
I'm never going back to that werewolf bar again after that crazy old Irish woman yelled at me for taking "her" stool.
by Logic316 January 1, 2008
Get the Werewolf barmug. A redneck type of bar, most commonly found in Texas, in which everyone who’s drinking there is concealing a firearm.
If things get too boring here, let’s head out to a gun bar and have ourselves a little gunfight later on.
by Dr Bunnygirl November 19, 2019
Get the gun barmug. by biglongshlong December 21, 2009
Get the throw barsmug. by trizfoshnizjaundess July 7, 2006
Get the oxygen barmug. A lever that is either attached to the steering column or the dashboard of a semi-tractor within the drivers reach that controls only the application of the trailer brakes.
Since I own my own tractor and am always pulling a company trailer, I always use the Johnson Bar to apply the brakes so I will never have to pay for a brake job on my semi-tractor.
by The CLE Steamer May 11, 2009
Get the Johnson Barmug.