Tremolo
/trəˈmoʊloʊ/noun
A rapid repetition or fluctuation of a musical note or sound to create a trembling effect.
Did you know?Tremolo belongs to the same ancient word family as “terror,” linking musical trembling with the physical shaking caused by fear.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*trem-
“To tremble or shake, especially from fear”
Ancient Latin
Latin
tremere
“To tremble or quiver”
Ancient Latin
Latin
tremulus
“Trembling or quivering”
Medieval Italian
Italian
tremolare
“To tremble; to produce a trembling musical effect”
17th Century
Italian
tremolo
“A musical trembling or rapid repetition of a note”
Modern English
English
tremolo
“A rapid musical repetition or fluctuation producing a trembling sound”