The Forgotten Pedal That Changed Everything

Have you ever had a moment where you rediscover a musical sound or idea that’s been right under your nose the whole time?

It’s like stumbling upon a forgotten photograph hidden away in a dusty album. It instantly transports you back to a specific time and place.

Well, recently, this happened to me.

Picture this: It’s late at night, and I’m listening to “How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths for what must be the hundredth time in my lifetime.

But this time, as Johnny Marr’s tremolo guitar washes over me, it feels different. It’s not the usual ‘Johnny Marr’ sound I heard before.

It’s a living, breathing pulse. The whole thing just felt so alive.

And just like that, I fell headfirst down the biggest tremolo rabbit hole of my guitar-playing history.

Fueled by this sudden obsession, I embark on a mission to unearth all the classic tremolo tracks I can find.

I go through them all. The menacing growl of Link Wray’s “Rumble” to the haunting atmosphere of Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang.”

Song by song, I’m rediscovering the true beauty and emotional depth of tremolo.

As I dive deeper, I start to realize that tremolo isn’t the effect I always thought it was.

It’s a storyteller.

This simple concept of rhythmically modulating volume can transform ordinary everyday notes and chords into vibrant, emotionally charged masterpieces.

It’s like watching an old black-and-white photograph come to life, each pulse of the tremolo bringing new meaning into the music.

A new technique (for me)

Inspired by my recent tremolo obsession, I’ve been experimenting with a technique I call the “Breathing Chord.” I didn’t invent it, but I’m loving it right now.

Here’s how you can do it too:

1. Dial in your tremolo pedal to a steady 1 pulse every 1 - 2 seconds (this is flexible).
2. Keep the depth at a sweet spot. I tend to hover around 40-50%. This way, it’s noticeable but not too much.
3. Play a simple sustained chord. Something like an open A minor will work well.
4. Listen as the tremolo embeds itself into the chord with a mesmerizing ebb and flow as if it’s inhaling and exhaling.

But the real magic with this happens when you sync your tremolo’s pulse with the tempo of your song.

Suddenly, that overly simple, tired chord progression becomes a living, breathing foundation for you to build and develop your next masterpiece.

It’s a subtle yet effective way to add depth and emotion to your playing.

A small challenge

As I look back over my recent rediscovery and journey with tremolo, I can’t help but think about how many other things I might have inadvertently turned my back on over the years.

The effects, techniques, and sounds we take for granted might just hold the untapped creative potential we’re all looking for. By re-examining the familiar with fresh eyes and open ears, we might be able to climb out of our comfort zone or even a playing plateau (I’ve had plenty of them over the years).

So, my challenge to you is this:

Take a moment to rediscover (or discover) something you either haven’t used for years or have never tried before.

Dust off that old effects pedal, experiment with a technique you’ve neglected, or try a sound you’ve turned your nose up at in the past.

You never know what kind of creative spark it might ignite.