Source : morphis.com/guitar_lessons/lesson_15.asp
For this lesson we will will look at how to play the tremolo technique on your guitar. A tremolo is basically playing the string in an up and down motion with the pick. A tremolo can very in speed, but are often played quickly, for this lesson will start slow and play a bit faster by the end. Some tips: thin picks are a lot easier to use than thick picks for tremolos. If you find your pick is getting stuck, try "choking up" on the pick by gripping it closer to the tip, in essence shortening the length of the pick. In case you are wondering, tremolo is pronounced trem-el-o.Lesson 15 Part 1 - Basic Tremolo
E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|
B|-----------------------|
G|-----------------------|
D|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|
E|-----------------------|
|--d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u--|
Part 1 (basic_tremolo.wav):
To play a tremolo, pick down on the string then immediately pick up on the string, then immediately pick down, then up, etc. For this part of the lesson we will pick up and down ten times on the first string. This is a very basic tremolo and is much slower than you what you would normally consider a tremolo. This just gives you an idea of the concept.
Lesson 15 Part 2 - Simple Tremolo
E|--0-0-2-2-4-4-2-2-0-0--|
B|-----------------------|
G|-----------------------|
D|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|
E|-----------------------|
|--d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u--|
Part 2 (Simple Tremolo Part 1):
We will be using the same technique that we used in part 1, but this time we will add some frets. Like before, we will play this nice and slow. Once you get the slow part, practice your speed by playing it faster and faster (Simple Tremolo Part 1 Fast!)
Play this tremolo:
1. Play an open E string twice - down - up
2. Place your first finger on the second fret and play twice - down - up
3. Place your third finger on the fourth fret and play twice - down - up
4. Place your first finger on the second fret and play twice - down - up
5. Play an open E string twice - down - up
Lesson 15 Part 3 Simple Tremolo #3
E|--0-0-3-0-0-5-0-0-7-0-0-5-0-0-3-|-0-0-3-0-0-5-0-0-7-0-0-5-0-0-3-|
B|--------------------------------|-------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------|-------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------|-------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|--d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-|-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-|
Part 3 (Simple Tremolo 2):
Now we will make things a little more complicated, what I really want you to do is just continue with the up and down motion, it is the most critical piece of a tremolo. One thing to note on this part is that were playing this twice, but on the second time we are playing in the opposite direction (ie, the first two notes are up - down instead down - up). This does not mean we stop and start playing in the other direction, it's just we simply continue on playing. Fast version (Simple Tremolo 2 Fast)
How to:
1. Play an open E string twice, use your first finger to play fret three.
2. Play an open E string twice, use your second finger to play fret five.
3. Play an open E string twice, use your third finger to play fret seven.
4. Play an open E string twice, use your second finger to play fret five.
5. Play an open E string twice, use your first finger to play fret three.
6. Don't stop! Keep going - don't worry about the direction it should happen naturally.
Lesson 15 Part 4 Simple Tremolo #2
E|---------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--0-0-0-0-3-3-3-3-5-5-5-5-/-7-7-7-7-\-5-5-5-5-3-3-3-3-0-0-0-0--|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------|
|--d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u---d-u-d-u---d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-u--|
Part 4 (Simple Tremolo 3):
Now we'll move to the second string, for this tremelo we go straight up and right back down the open strings are only played in the beginning and end. Remember to keep the up and down picking motion and to choke up on the pick if it's getting stuck. (Simple Tremolo 3 Fast)
How to:
1. Play an open B string four times.
2. Use your first finger to play fret three.
3. Use your third finger to play fret five.
4. Slide your third finger up to play fret seven.
5. Slide your third finger down to play fret five.
6. Use your first finger to play fret three.
7. Play an open B string four times.
Lesson 15 Part 5 E Chord Tremolo
E|-------|
B|-------|
G|-------|
D|---2---|
A|---2---|
E|---0---|
Part 5 (E Chord Tremolo):
Tremolos are not just limited to one string, in fact you can perform a tremolo on any number of strings. You will often here a tremolo like the E-Chord tremolo at the end of a song, sometimes at the end of a song on during a live performance. For this part of the lesson simply play a tremolo across the top three strings (E-A-D), basically you will play down across the three top strings then immediately pick right back up once you pass the D string.
