wah-wah Hear it!

wah-wah Definition

wah-wah (wä′)

noun

  1. Jazz an instrumental effect somewhat like that of the sound of a baby crying, produced by closing and opening the bell of a trumpet, trombone, etc. with a plunger mute held in the hand
  2. a similar effect created by an electronic device controlled by a foot pedal, that can be used with any musical instrument
wah-wah Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • classic: When you think about the classic wah-wah sounds of the 60s, you think about British bluesmen and psychedelic American rockers, not Italy.
  • original: The original 60's design wah-wah pedal, with modified circuitry to deliver fatter, more open sound by lowering the effect's frequency range.

Modifies a noun

  • guitar: Bonus track is a hip hop tempo beats affair with more wah-wah guitar than a 70s skin flick.
  • pedal: Fender Rhodes electric pianos replaced their acoustic counterparts and guitars were played through wah-wah effects pedals.
  • effect: Fender Rhodes electric pianos replaced their acoustic counterparts and guitars were played through wah-wah effects pedals.

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