Tremolo Technique

The tremolo technique is one that people say you can judge the skill of a guitarist by. I don't know if I would go so far as to say that's the ONLY thing to use. But certainly once one has acquired a certain level of mastery of this guitar technique, it is a wonder to experience.

What is a tremolo technique?

Basically it's the rapid succession of the same note, played (in a row) by either three or four of your fingers on the right hand. Normally the thumb plays a bass note followed by the three notes. Sometimes the tremolo note changes as well as the bass notes.

Technical notes:

• Try to strike the strings in a deliberate and controlled way. Don't just flail your fingers hoping to hit the string.
• Use a metronome slowly and make each note clear and of equal volume to begin with.
• After you feel good about your control begin to try to put emphasis on a particular note. Start with the first note, then the second, then the third.
• Remember to try to have the majority of the movement come from your knuckles at the hand and not at the middle of the finger.
• Try to keep your hand in line from the knuckle of your index finger down through the wrist and forearm.
• Don't angle your wrist down, making your fingers perpendicular to the strings.
• Use a light touch. It takes very little to get a clear tone.
• The point of contact on the string should be in a horizontal or a slightly upward direction. For instance, the rest rest stroke requires that, when you strike it, your finger travel in a horizontal or slightly downward motion in order to rest the finger on the next string. You also dig into the string. Not so with the tremolo. You glaze over it lifting your fingers towards the palm.
• Set the metronome to 150 or 125 depending on the lesson. And work your speed up. The important thing is to keep even and clear, speed will come.

 

You can refer to my previous post: Complete Study Of Tremolo For The Classic Guitar