tremolo means A rapid repetition of the same note, or an alternation between two or more notes. It can also be intended to mean a rapid and repetitive variation in pitch for the duration of a note. It is notated by a strong diagonal bar across the note stem, or a detached bar for a set of notes (or stemless notes). It carries an Arena rating of 1794, earned across 101 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, tremolo ranks #55 of 17,142 for Most Ingenious Words, #1,173 of 17,126 for Most Satisfying to Say, #1,319 of 17,127 for Most Vivid Words, #1,618 of 17,130 for Most Beautiful Words.
tremolo is pronounced /ˈtrɛmələʊ/.
Why “tremolo” is a great word
TREMOLO — [Noun] A musical effect involving the rapid repetition or alternation of notes, or a rapid variation in the volume of a note or chord. From Italian tremolo, from tremolare ("to shake, to tremble"), from Latin tremulus ("trembling"). First attested in English 1715-25. Unlike vibrato, which is a controlled wavering of pitch, or a trill, which is a rapid dance between two distinct notes, tremolo is the systematic shattering of a single sonic point. It is the frantic, metallic shimmer of a mandolin, the ominous, rolling thunder of a low piano key, or the amplifier-induced shudder of an electric guitar—the audible manifestation of a sustained note held under siege, the artifice of perfect, manufactured unease.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian tremolo, first-person present indicative of tremolare (“to shake, to tremble”). Origin: 1715-25.
noun
- A rapid repetition of the same note, or an alternation between two or more notes. It can also be intended to mean a rapid and repetitive variation in pitch for the duration of a note. It is notated by a strong diagonal bar across the note stem, or a detached bar for a set of notes (or stemless notes).
- A variation in the volume of a note or a chord, evoking a tremor or quiver.
- The device in an organ that produces a tremolo effect.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- vibrato 69% match — The musical effect or technique where the pitch or frequency of a note or sound is quickly and repeatedly raised and lowered over a small distance for the duration of that note or sound. vs tremolo →
- bebung 67% match — A tremolo effect, such as that produced on the piano by vibratory repetition of a note with sustained use of the pedal. vs tremolo →
- tremolando 66% match — A tremolo section of a piece. vs tremolo →
- trill 61% match — A rapid alternation between an indicated note and the one above it as an ornament; in musical notation usually indicated with the letters tr written above the staff. vs tremolo →
- bisbigliando 60% match — Tremolo produced by a bowed or plucked string instrument such as a harp. vs tremolo →
- tremulation 60% match — A trembling, quivering. vs tremolo →
- tremando 59% match — Played in a trembling, wavering manner. vs tremolo →
- tremulant 59% match — Trembling, tremulous. vs tremolo →