Are a Strum Bar & Whammy Bar the Same Thing?

Guitar terminology can be confusing to a newcomer, and the downside to the "Guitar Hero" craze is that real guitar terminology can be lost in the ether.

Strum Bar

• A "strum bar" is a component on a "Guitar Hero" controller that allows you to simulate picking the notes on the game. This is not on a real guitar because actual guitars have strings and a plectrum to pick them with.

Whammy Bar

• A "whammy bar," otherwise known as a tremolo bar, is a component on both real and "Guitar Hero" guitars that allows you to alter the pitch of notes with your picking hand. Generally, this is used for vibrato, but there are many more creative applications. Whammy bars are affixed to the guitar's bridge.

Guitar Hero

• Even on the "Guitar Hero" controllers, which feature both a strum bar and whammy bar, they maintain these operations. You have to play the note with the strum bar and then you can mess with the pitch using the whammy bar.