Correct trem arm usage

[teleman]

Hi all

I was just wondering if anybody has any video links to any lessons on the marvin teqnique for using the trem arm. I have never really used the trem that much , hence the name Teleman, but I do have a strat like guitar( farida hypersonic ) that has a wilkinson trem fitted. My method is to just grab it when needed, not ideal I know. I notice that hank seems to have hold of it all the time, I have tried that myself but just end up with dips and bends when I don't want them etc.
Any help would be appreciated.

I do have a jap strat with a trem that I had locked up years ago when playing in a pub band, it was always going out of tune etc. may be worth looking into getting the strat set up properly as the farida is more of a rock guitar, mahogany body & humbucker at bridge etc

Many Thanks

Neil

[Deleted]

Hi Neil
I have a strat with an upgraded eggle trem system fitted about 12 years ago. It floats beautifully and I have locking sperzal tuners that help keep the thing in tune.
Anyway I play alot of shads stuff and I grab the trem arm when needed and use finger bending and vibrato at other times. No one has ever complained. Like you if I hold the trem I get dips and bends the same as you. Terrible at that so I do it my way.
I do know that Hank Marvin partly used the trem in the early days to help with sting bends on heavier gauge strings. I use 10's. To be honest my thoughts with all of these things is to play as yourself and be influenced by great guitarists such as Hank B.
I also play a tele and use 9's on it for the blues and counrty stuff I also do a bit of.
Hope it helps
Just keep right on pickin'
All the best George.

[Roger...]

Hi Neil,

I think I know what you are looking for.

Hold the tremolo arm loosely with your third finger and little finger curled under it (maybe also your second finger, whatever feels comfortable). The idea is to make the note you play 'sing' by just very lightly wavering it up and down (most notes of about half a second duration or more). The essence is a light touch. Pulls and dives are reserved for special places in the music to enhance the piece. It's not cut and dried, but more of a 'feel thing'. Do not 'wang' it up and down just because it's there. A bit of practice and you'll be there. Some sequences in fast tunes, the tremolo arm is not used at all, just probably on the last note of the sequence.

Kind regards
Roger

[streetboy]

Hi Neil,

I always keep my fingers on the trem arm - as described by Roger - part of my playing style. During fast passages I might let go of it, but grapping it again as soon as possible afterwards. Listen to the tone and gently apply presure or tension to let the notes 'sing' out - as Roger perfectly describes it it's a 'feel thing' no accurate details on how to, but you'll know once you get the hang of it.

rgds
Soren

[teleman]

Thanks for all your very useful replies, I will have a try at putting the advice into practice. May take a while mind, I'm a very slow learner LoL