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

Ditto the indictment of universal war culture “In Any Tongue,” the song’s animated accompaniment heartbreaking, Gilmour’s tasteful use of his tremolo bar giving the song an aura both haunted and haunting.

From Los Angeles Times

“Pisachi” alternates between hushed, singing harmonics and piquant rhythms painted in impassioned tremolos and spiky pizzicatos.

From New York Times

You can almost hear the tremolo of injured innocence in his voice.

From Salon

Notice the chords in her right hand that begin and end with little tremolos, perfectly calibrated to make the decaying piano tones do something they should not — shake, flutter, growl.

From New York Times

Its dusty pizzicato tremolo had the predawn rustle of someone waking up and shuffling to the kitchen to prepare the morning’s brew before the household had awakened.

From New York Times