Dive Bombing for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Your Guitar Whammy Bar

The whammy bar, tremolo arm, or vibrato bar (depending on who you ask!) is a ubiquitous feature on many electric guitars. But for beginners, it can seem like a mysterious and intimidating piece of hardware. Mastering the whammy bar unlocks a whole new world of expressive techniques, from subtle vibrato to screaming dive bombs. This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know to start using your whammy bar effectively.

Understanding Your Whammy Bar: A Tale of Two (or Three!) Bridges

Before we dive into techniques, it’s crucial to understand the different types of whammy bar systems and how they function. The term “tremolo arm” is technically incorrect; it’s actually a vibrato arm. Tremolo changes the volume of the sound, while vibrato changes the pitch. However, “tremolo arm” is a commonly accepted term. The most common types are:

• Vintage-Style Tremolo: Found on many Stratocasters, this system uses a bridge plate held in place by springs in the back of the guitar body. The whammy bar inserts into the bridge plate, allowing you to bend the strings sharper or flatter. It’s relatively simple but has limited range and can sometimes go out of tune easily if not set up properly.
• Floyd Rose Tremolo: A more advanced system, the Floyd Rose is a locking tremolo. It uses locking nuts at the headstock and a double-locking bridge. This means the strings are clamped at both ends, drastically improving tuning stability even with extreme whammy bar use. It offers a wider range of pitch bending than vintage-style tremolos.
• Bigsby Vibrato: Commonly found on hollow-body and semi-hollow guitars, the Bigsby is a distinctive-looking system that provides a smooth, subtle vibrato effect. It’s not designed for dive bombs but excels at adding shimmer and character to chords and melodies.

This guide will primarily focus on vintage-style and Floyd Rose tremolos, as they are the most common and versatile. However, the fundamental principles of using a whammy bar apply to all systems.

Essential Setup and Maintenance

A properly set up guitar is essential for using the whammy bar effectively. If your guitar is not set up correctly, you’ll likely experience tuning problems and difficulty controlling the bar. Here’s a checklist:

1. String Gauge: Lighter gauge strings are generally easier to bend and manipulate with the whammy bar. A set of 9s or 10s is a good starting point.
2. String Stretch: New strings need to be stretched properly to prevent them from constantly going out of tune. After installing new strings, repeatedly stretch them by hand, bending them slightly along the fretboard. Tune the guitar frequently as you stretch the strings.
3. Action: The action refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. Lower action generally makes it easier to play and use the whammy bar, but too low can cause buzzing. Find a comfortable balance.
4. Intonation: Intonation refers to the accuracy of the notes as you play up the fretboard. If your guitar is not properly intonated, chords will sound out of tune, especially when using the whammy bar. You can adjust the intonation by adjusting the saddles on the bridge.
5. Tremolo Spring Tension (Vintage-Style): The tremolo springs in the back of the guitar body balance the tension of the strings. The number of springs and their tension affects the stiffness of the whammy bar. Adjusting the claw that holds the springs can tighten or loosen the tension. Experiment to find a comfortable balance where the bridge sits level with the body.
6. Tremolo Spring Tension (Floyd Rose): Similar to vintage-style, Floyd Rose systems use springs to balance the string tension. Adjust the claw in the back to achieve a level bridge.
7. Locking Nut (Floyd Rose): Ensure the locking nut is properly tightened. This is crucial for maintaining tuning stability.
8. Lubrication: Lubricating the nut slots, bridge saddles, and string contact points can help reduce friction and prevent string breakage. Use a specialized guitar lubricant or graphite.

If you’re unsure about any of these setup procedures, it’s best to take your guitar to a qualified technician.

Basic Whammy Bar Techniques

Now that your guitar is properly set up, let’s explore some basic whammy bar techniques:

1. Subtle Vibrato

This is the most fundamental whammy bar technique. It involves gently manipulating the bar to add a subtle wavering effect to notes and chords. Think of it as mimicking the natural vibrato of a singer’s voice.

How to do it:

1. Grip the whammy bar comfortably. The exact grip will depend on the type of bar and your personal preference. Some players prefer to hold it between their thumb and index finger, while others use their middle finger.
2. Play a single note or chord.
3. Gently push the whammy bar down and up in small, controlled movements. The key is to be subtle and avoid abrupt changes in pitch.
4. Experiment with different speeds and depths of vibrato to create different effects.

Tips:

• Start with slow, wide vibrato and gradually increase the speed and decrease the width.
• Use your wrist and forearm to control the whammy bar, not just your fingers.
• Listen carefully to the sound and adjust your technique accordingly.

2. Bending Notes

The whammy bar can be used to bend notes up or down in pitch, similar to bending strings with your fingers. This allows you to create expressive melodies and add unique textures to your playing.

How to do it:

1. Play a single note.
2. Push the whammy bar down to lower the pitch of the note or pull it up to raise the pitch.
3. Control the amount of bend by varying the pressure on the whammy bar.
4. You can also combine whammy bar bends with finger bends for even more expressive possibilities.

Tips:

• Practice bending notes accurately to specific intervals, such as a half step or whole step.
• Use the whammy bar to create smooth, gradual bends or abrupt, dramatic bends.
• Pay attention to the tuning of your guitar, as bending notes with the whammy bar can sometimes cause it to go out of tune.

3. Chord Vibrato

Adding vibrato to chords can create a lush, shimmering effect. This is particularly effective for clean chords and arpeggios.

How to do it:

1. Strum a chord.
2. Gently apply vibrato with the whammy bar, similar to the single-note vibrato technique.
3. Experiment with different vibrato speeds and depths to find what sounds best.

Tips:

• Use a light touch to avoid excessive pitch bending.
• Try different chord voicings to see how they respond to vibrato.
• Combine chord vibrato with other techniques, such as delay or reverb, for added depth.

Intermediate Whammy Bar Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basic techniques, you can move on to more advanced techniques:

1. Dive Bombs

The dive bomb is a signature whammy bar technique, popularized by guitarists like Eddie Van Halen. It involves rapidly lowering the pitch of a note or chord by pushing the whammy bar down to its maximum extent.

How to do it:

1. Play a note or chord.
2. Grip the whammy bar firmly and push it down quickly and decisively.
3. Release the whammy bar to return the pitch to normal.

Tips:

• Start with short, controlled dive bombs and gradually increase the length and intensity.
• Use a Floyd Rose tremolo for the most extreme dive bombs, as it offers greater tuning stability.
• Be careful not to overdo it, as excessive dive bombing can damage your guitar or break strings.

2. Harmonic Squeals

Harmonic squeals are high-pitched, piercing sounds created by combining pinch harmonics with the whammy bar.

How to do it:

1. Play a pinch harmonic by lightly touching the string with your thumb as you pick it.
2. Simultaneously use the whammy bar to bend the pitch of the harmonic up or down.
3. Experiment with different whammy bar techniques to create a variety of squealing sounds.

Tips:

• Practice your pinch harmonics to ensure you can consistently produce them.
• Use a high-gain amplifier for the best results.
• Experiment with different whammy bar techniques, such as dive bombs and vibrato, to create unique harmonic squeals.

3. Fluttering

Fluttering involves rapidly and repeatedly moving the whammy bar up and down to create a warbling, almost synth-like sound.

How to do it:

Tips:

• Use a light touch to avoid excessive pitch bending.
• Practice the technique slowly at first and gradually increase the speed.
• Experiment with different whammy bar grips to find what works best for you.

Advanced Whammy Bar Techniques

For the truly adventurous, here are some advanced techniques to explore:

1. The “Whammy Bar Scoop”

This technique involves pre-bending the strings using the whammy bar *before* you pick the note, then releasing the bar to allow the note to rise to its natural pitch. It creates a very unique and dramatic entrance to a note.

How to do it:

1. Push the whammy bar down slightly *before* picking a note on the fretboard. The amount of bend will determine the initial pitch.
2. Pick the note.
3. Slowly release the whammy bar, allowing the pitch to rise smoothly to the fretted note’s natural pitch.

Tips:

• Practice this technique slowly to develop control over the initial bend and the release.
• Experiment with different degrees of pre-bend for different effects. A slight pre-bend creates a subtle scoop, while a deeper pre-bend creates a more dramatic effect.
• This technique works well with both single notes and chords.

2. The “Artificial Harmonic Dive Bomb”

This combines artificial (or tapped) harmonics with the extreme pitch bending of a dive bomb for a truly ear-splitting effect. It requires good technique in both harmonic creation and whammy bar control.

How to do it:

1. Play an artificial harmonic by fretting a note and then tapping directly above the 12th fret of that note.
2. Immediately after creating the harmonic, initiate a dive bomb with the whammy bar.
3. Control the descent of the harmonic’s pitch with the whammy bar.
4. Release the bar smoothly to return to the original pitch.

Tips:

• This technique requires precise timing and coordination. Practice it slowly at first.
• Experiment with different locations for the tapped harmonic to find the sweetest spots.
• A high-gain amplifier is essential for producing clear and sustained artificial harmonics.

3. The “Whammy Bar Trill”

This imitates the rapid alternation of two notes in a standard trill, but using the whammy bar to quickly shift between two pitches very close together. It adds a quirky, almost broken sound to melodies.

How to do it:

1. Fret a note on the guitar.
2. Use the whammy bar to make *very* small, rapid pushes down and releases. You are not aiming for large pitch changes, just small oscillations around the original note.
3. The speed of the whammy bar movement determines the speed of the “trill.”

Tips:

• This technique requires a very light touch and precise control over the whammy bar.
• Focus on keeping the pitch changes small and even.
• Experiment with different speeds to create different trill effects.
• This technique can be particularly effective when combined with distortion or fuzz.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes that beginners make when using the whammy bar:

• Overusing the whammy bar: Less is often more. Excessive whammy bar use can sound cheesy and detract from your playing.
• Not setting up your guitar properly: A poorly set up guitar will be difficult to play and will likely go out of tune easily.
• Gripping the whammy bar too tightly: A tight grip will make it difficult to control the bar and will tire your hand quickly.
• Being too abrupt with the whammy bar: Smooth, controlled movements are key to creating musical and expressive sounds.
• Ignoring tuning stability: Regularly check your tuning, especially when using the whammy bar extensively.

Practice Tips

Here are some practice tips to help you improve your whammy bar technique:

• Start slowly: Focus on mastering the basic techniques before moving on to more advanced ones.
• Practice regularly: Consistent practice is essential for developing muscle memory and improving your control.
• Listen carefully: Pay attention to the sound you’re creating and adjust your technique accordingly.
• Record yourself: Recording yourself playing can help you identify areas for improvement.
• Learn from others: Listen to guitarists who use the whammy bar effectively and try to emulate their techniques.
• Be patient: Mastering the whammy bar takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.

Conclusion

The whammy bar is a powerful tool that can add a whole new dimension to your guitar playing. By understanding the different types of systems, setting up your guitar properly, and practicing regularly, you can unlock a world of expressive techniques and create unique and exciting sounds. So, grab your whammy bar and start experimenting!