tremolo

[ trem-uh-loh ]

noun

, Music.

, plural trem·o·los.

1. a tremulous or vibrating effect produced on certain instruments and in the human voice, as to express emotion.
2. a mechanical device in an organ by which such an effect is produced.

tremolo

/ ˈtrɛməˌləʊ /

noun

1. 1. (in playing the violin, cello, etc) the rapid repetition of a single note produced by a quick back-and-forth movement of the bow
   2. the rapid reiteration of two notes usually a third or greater interval apart ( fingered tremolo ) Compare trill 1
2. (in singing) a fluctuation in pitch Compare vibrato
3. a vocal ornament of late renaissance music consisting of the increasingly rapid reiteration of a single note
4. another word for tremulant

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremolo¹

1715–25; < Italian: trembling < Latin tremulus tremulous

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremolo¹

C19: from Italian: quavering, from Medieval Latin tremulāre to tremble

Example Sentences

A pulse throbbed in her throat and made her voice sound all tremolo like a beginner's in singing.

From Project Gutenberg

Attempting to correct a tremolo by "holding the throat steady" causes the throat to tremble all the more.

From Project Gutenberg

A simple experiment illustrates the nature of the muscular action from which the tremolo results.

From Project Gutenberg

A distinct fault of production, the tremolo, is directly due to throat stiffness.

From Project Gutenberg

It is highly probable that the tremolo is caused by a trembling of the vocal organs, due to muscular stiffness.

From Project Gutenberg