tremolo

noun trem·o·lo \ ˈtre-mə-ˌlō \

Updated on: 25 Mar 2018

Definition of tremolo

plural tremolos

1 a : the rapid reiteration of a musical tone or of alternating tones to produce a tremulous effect

b : vocal vibrato especially when prominent or excessive

2 : a mechanical device in an organ for causing a tremulous effect

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Recent Examples of tremolo from the Web

The album is full of early rock and roll touches, with lots of reverb and tremolo guitars, so expect Williams to transform Johnny Brenda’s into a Twin Peaksian Roadhouse on Saturday night.

— Philly.com, "DJ Khaled, a tribute to the Beatles, Wine Pong and other things to do in Philadelphia March 23-30," 21 Mar. 2018
For example, Reyes learned Jiménez’s technique of adding a small drop of lead to a reed to change its pitch ever so slightly, creating a special tremolo vibrato effect.

— daniel sheehy, Smithsonian, "The Remarkable Rebirth of the Button Accordion," 22 Dec. 2017
Fats Domino announced himself with this single: a two-fisted boogie-woogie piano intro with tremolo flourishes, verses that establish his 200-pound physique and his New Orleans locale and a falsetto vocal like a trumpet solo.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "Fats Domino Songs: Listen to 12 Essential Tracks," 25 Oct. 2017
The eight-minute soundpiece draws on elements of the Polish composer’s early, avant-garde manner — here, tremolo glissandos in the strings and dense nine-part chords in the low brass — but uses them more subtly and poetically.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "CSO presents a pretty premiere as part of Muti's dervish week of pre-tour activity," 29 Sep. 2017
The sequel, scheduled for February 2017, indeed contains intrigue, an assassination plot, gun-slinging, and a lot of confused feelings, which the as-yet-unnamed director will be sure to play up with some chiaroscuro and tremolo on the soundtrack.

— chelsea peng, Marie Claire, "'Fifty Shades' Producer to Thirsty Henry Cavill Fans: Cool Your Loins," 22 Sep. 2015
Andrea Gibson read her own poems, exercises in sentimental emotionalism, with a throbbing, exaggerated tremolo.

— alastair macaulay, New York Times, "Review: At Vail, Female Choreographers Feed the Mighty River of Dance," 8 Aug. 2017
And his sing-songy voice, with its reedy tremolo, has a tendency to crack from time to time.

— chuck yarborough, cleveland.com, "Neil Diamond shows off every facet of his 50-year career (concert review, photos)," 31 May 2017
Stage lights come up as the organ’s tremolo fills the hall.

— associated press, Washington Post, "AP News in Brief at 6:04 a.m. EDT," 29 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tremolo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tremolo

Italian, from tremolo tremulous, from Latin tremulus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1801

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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TREMOLO Defined for English Language Learners

tremolo

noun

Definition of tremolo for English Language Learners

music : a musical sound made by a voice or instrument that seems to shake

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