Tremolo

Many attacks for one note

On the page Notation symbols the tremolo is described as slanting strokes through the note stem or between two notes: fast repetition or alternation between two notes. Strings produce it through fast bow movement on the spot, winds cannot do it on one note, only as alternation between two notes, on the piano it is a rapid alternation between notes or octaves.

As a means of expression, the string tremolo first appears in Monteverdi's madrigal “Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda” (first performed 1624, printed 1638), there as a dramatic effect in the battle music. In the Romantic orchestra it is indispensable for tension and menace, in Wagner, Strauss and Shostakovich.

Tremolo in the score

Guitar

• Recuerdos de la Alhambra Francisco Tárrega · guitar · tremolo study

  The subtitle describes it as a tremolo study for guitar, “Andante”, 3/4, no sharps or flats. Above the first system are the fingerings “a m i” of the right hand with “cont. sim”, below a bass line of its own.

Orchestra

• Sinfonie Nr. 9 e-Moll Antonín Dvořák, 2nd movement: Largo · score · 18 pages

  On PDF page 9 “tremolo” is written under the chord in the cello, with ppp, four sharps in the key signature.

In Tárrega the tremolo is in the upper voice, the bass plays a line of its own below it. In Dvořák it is a string effect under quiet chords.

Common mistakes

• Tremolo too loudly: The tremolo lives on even, fast movement, not on force.
• Losing a layer: In Tárrega tremolo and bass must both stay audible.
• Expecting a tremolo on one note in winds: According to the Notation symbols page it is possible there only as alternation between two notes.