whammy bar

[wam-ee bahr, hwam-ee]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whammy bar¹

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.

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He elaborated the use of distortion and feedback effects, earlier explored by Pete Townshend; intensified the effect of bending notes on the guitar; and widened the range of expression that could be coaxed from devices amended to the guitar like the whammy bar.

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

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He hammered on the neck of his custom “Frankenstrat” guitar, leaned on his whammy bar to create a wailing vibrato and popularized a technique known as two-hand tapping, in which he effectively added a sixth finger to his left hand.

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With a concluding dive bomb – a pitch descent courtesy of subtle manipulation of the whammy bar, Van Halen ushered in a new era in electric guitar playing.

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