palanca de trémolo
/palanka de tɾemolo/from spelling rules
The English phrase whammy bar is translated into Spanish as palanca de trémolo.
In many Spanish-speaking musical circles, musicians simply use the English term el whammy bar.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase palanca de trémolo literally translates to 'tremolo lever'.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word palanca shares an ancient root with the word 'phalanx', referring to both a log and a body of soldiers.
- Spanish guitarists often use the phrase tirar de la palanca meaning 'to pull the lever' to describe a dive bomb.
- In some Latin American contexts, the term el puente meaning 'the bridge' is used to refer to the entire assembly including the whammy bar.
Examples in context
- Esa guitarra tiene una barra de vibrato impresionanteThat guitar has an impressive whammy bar.
- ¡Usa la palanca para darle más efecto a la nota!Use the whammy bar to add more effect to the note!
- La palanca de trémolo está rota.The whammy bar is broken.
- Usa la palanca de trémolo para ese efecto.Use the whammy bar for that effect.
- No puedo quitar la palanca de trémolo.I cannot remove the whammy bar.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are in a music store looking at electric guitars.
- LucíaMira esta guitarra con palanca de trémolo.Look at this guitar with a whammy bar.
- MateoEs muy bonita, Lucía.It is very beautiful, Lucía.
- Lucía¿Tiene la palanca de trémolo incluida?Does it have the whammy bar included?
- MateoSí, viene en la caja.Yes, it comes in the box.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, palanca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
