GUITAR LESSON: Tremolo Technique & Practice

Hello Guitarists!
I am taking an opportunity to start writing about guitar technique (mostly classical) and practice habits. Consider it a guitar lesson of sorts. It is designed to be informational and supplemental to whatever techniques and practice you are currently implementing. After all, there are often many ways to accomplish the same effect.

This first lesson will focus on the tremolo technique (not to be confused with the Tremolo bar or Whammy bar). One of the classical guitar pieces I learned to play early on was the Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tárrega. It is a very popular and beautiful Spanish guitar piece that is highlighted by a tremolo that persists throughout. Here is the first two measures of the piece...

The technique is created by plucking notes in rapid succession with the index (i), middle (m) and ring fingers (a), while the thumb (p) plays different (usually lower) notes in the music.

David Russell’s performance of Recuerdos de la Alhambra is a great example of the technique and the sound we are looking to achieve.

The Practice

In practicing the tremolo, I start by purely focusing on the right hand (left hand, if your playing left-handed guitar). I start very slow, keeping the a, m, i fingers aligned on the string (I like the B string). First pluck the string with the thumb (p) and then the ring finger (a). After the ring finger plays, plant the middle finger (m) on the string. Pluck the middle finger and plant with the index(i). Pluck the Index finger and plant the thumb. Repeat slowly (~80 bpm) for as many iterations as needed to create an even tempo with the notes. Increase speed (~90, 100, 110, 120 bpm) and continue. You can add in the left hand any time you feel comfortable doing so.

I also will alternate speeds by playing slowly for a couple iterations and then playing a couple iterations at a faster tempo. Following the pima section depicted below, as the spaces represent time, the first set would be slower with more space/time between the notes. I also play these staccato, using the play/plant technique. The next set would be faster and played legato.

p a m i p a m i
pamipami
p a m i p a m i
pamipami

In watching Ana Vidovic’s performance of Una Limosna Por el Amor de Dios by Agustín Barrios Mangoré , she uses a different tremolo pattern. I believe she uses pmim pattern, which is still very effective.

Of course, the tremolo has many other applications. Dick Dale used it in his surf music sound. You can see examples of this in his famous tune, Misirlou.

Hope this is informative. I’d love to hear other people's experience and suggestions on the topic.

Peace,
Proxy