Tremolo for Beginners
Three Simple Steps
Hey, guitar welcomes you to another exciting fingerstyle guitar lesson.
Today we are focusing on a super creative technique called tremolo. This technique is widely used in classical, Spanish, and modern music.
Many guitar players think that the tremolo is only used in Classical music, and its main purpose is to make the melody sound more “alive” and sweet.
Let’s do the exact opposite.
I will show you how you can use the tremolo technique over chords (and not a melody) on the Acoustic guitar.
I will also make it easy for you and break it down into four simple steps so that anyone can slowly improve this technique and use it fluently.
Let me tell you more about the four steps:
- Learn the chord progression.
- Alternate chords with 1st string.
- Practice the simplified three notes tremolo
- Learn the ultimate tremolo.
Good luck with that, guys.
Let’s get started.
The Video
What’s the Tremolo?
In a few words
There are many different guitar techniques, but only one captures the audience’s attention, like the Tremolo.
Simply put, the tremolo technique is a right-hand technique where the ring, middle, and index finger play on one string sequentially.
The thumb is always the finger that starts the sequence, followed by the ring, middle, and index.
Step 1
The Chord Progression
One thing essential about practicing a specific right-hand technique, such as the tremolo, is to make sure you know exactly what to play with the left hand.
It would be tough to practice the tremolo if you don’t know which chords to play.
We will be working on a straightforward chord progression: Am – G – Dm – E7
Each chord is straightforward and basic so that you can focus mostly on the right hand.
Step 2
Chords and 1st string
Once you familiarize yourself with the chords, the best thing to do next is to start practicing the chords along with the first string.
There are three fingers (ring, middle, and index) playing on the same string when you perform the tremolo.
As we want to make this process progressive, you should start by alternating the thumb with the first string (which can be plucked with the index finger only) to get used to the sound.
Check the tab below.
Step 3
The Three Notes Tremolo
Before we get to play the ultimate tremolo pattern, you should spend a little bit of time practicing this simplified version based on three notes (rather than four).
This approach is based on triplets, and the plucking pattern is Thumb, middle, and index finger, so we are not using the ring finger yet.
I find the simple tremolo to be my favorite!
The Ultimate Tremolo
Finally, we will play the ultimate tremolo using the pattern Thumb, ring, middle, and index finger.
Start slowly! The ring fingers will take some practice, so don’t get frustrated.
