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Tremolo Troubleshooting Checklist
If you're not making the progress you want, or you feel stuck, use this checklist before you get discouraged! (Or, ask the TremoloMASTER Wizard for personalized help.)
FINGERNAIL AND HAND POSITION PROBLEMS
- Is your hand position correct for playing the tremolo?
See the "Technique Overview and Checklist".
For an in-depth look, see my Technique Tip, THE RIGHT-HAND POSITION. - Are your fingernails shaped correctly?
See my Technique Tip, HOW TO SHAPE, SAND, FINISH, AND POLISH YOUR FINGERNAILS. - Are your fingernails the correct length?
One nail should not feel shorter than another. However, note that in order to have the nails feel like they are equal length, one nail may need to be slightly longer than another when you measure their lengths. See my Technique Tip for details: HOW TO SHAPE, SAND, FINISH, AND POLISH YOUR FINGERNAILS. - Is your thumbnail shaped correctly and is it the correct length?
See my Technique Tip: HOW TO FIND THE BEST LENGTH AND SHAPE FOR YOUR THUMBNAIL. - Is a fingernail or thumbnail getting caught on a string?
Watch this video. - Having trouble with fingernails noises or tone?
See the "Technique Overview and Checklist" and WATCH THE VIDEOS.
TECHNIQUE POINTERS:
- Are you using "pluck-return" ("pluck-release") strokes?
Are your finger movements small? See my Technique Tip, A SECRET TO A RELAXED RIGHT HAND: The Pluck-Return Free Stroke. And, watch this video: "The Pluck-Release Stroke for the Tremolo". - Do you have good finger independence?
If you are using the traditional "p-a-m-i" tremolo pattern, do you have good independence between the "a" and "m" fingers? For detailed information on how to develop better independence and speed between ALL the fingers, Read this Technique Tip.
If you are using the "p-i-m-i" or "p-m-i-m" non-traditional patterns, spend more time practicing "Etude No. 1" by Villa-Lobos with the suggested pattern that eliminates the "a" finger. See this for a detailed explanation. - Is your thumb technique correct?
Read the "Tremolo Technique Overview and Checklist" sections on: - Have you explored planting techniques?
See this article, "Planting Techniques for the Standard "pami" Tremolo". - Are you having trouble keeping the thumb quiet?
Read this section about keeping the thumb in the background in the "Tremolo Technique Overview and Checklist". - Having trouble keeping the volume of the fingers even?
Our goal is to keep the volume of each finger the same. Do not accent any finger. Warming up with and practicing the arpeggio exercises in the "Warmup Exercises for Tremolo Practice". will help build finger control and independence to keep the finger volume even. For detailed information on developing better independence between ALL the fingers in order to better control their volume, Read this Technique Tip.
Although a lack of independence between the fingers is usually the primary cause of uneven volume, FINGERNAIL LENGTH CAN ALSO BE A FACTOR. You may think that the lengths of the three fingernails should be the same. But that is usually NOT the case. If you find that a certain finger is consistently too loud, it may be an indication that the fingernail is slightly too long. Or, if a finger is consistently too quiet, it may mean the fingernail is too short. Change the fingernail length of the problematic finger to see if that fixes the issue. - Need extra help with the non-traditional "p-i-m-i" and "p-m-i-m" patterns?
See this section in the "Tremolo Technique Overview and Checklist". You should also spend more time practicing "Etude No. 1" by Villa-Lobos with the suggested pattern that eliminates the "a" finger. See this for a detailed explanation.