whammy bar

American  

[wam-ee bahr, hwam-ee] / ˈwæm i ˌbɑr, ˈʰwæm i /

noun

1. (on an electric guitar) a lever, usually attached to the bridge, that the player can press to increase tension in the strings: used to create vibrato, portamento, and other effects.

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Etymology

Origin of whammy bar

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

He would simultaneously control the whammy bar, volume and tone control of the guitar which – with the combination of harmonics, off-fret slide and left-hand inflection – explored an orchestral range of sonic possibilities.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2023

He was known for his improvising, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 2023

Along with guitarist Floyd Rose, he even created a whammy bar that worked without leaving the strings out of tune.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2020

And finally, how Jimi Hendrix captured the sound of bombs falling overseas and screaming protesters, using only a whammy bar and a fuzz pedal.

From Slate • Nov. 22, 2018

If you got past the eye-activated fireworks and motion-tracked guitar, you were still trying to precisely hit sequences of buttons on the right beats, with the occasional creative flourish via effects pedal or whammy bar.

From The Verge • Sep. 1, 2016