Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to know what the difference between a trill and tremolo is in music? The two terms sound alike, and superficially they have some things in common. However, they produce very different results. This is particularly true when you consider that tremolo picking on guitar and orchestral tremolo are two different things. Keep reading What’s the Key Difference Between Trills and Tremolo to learn how they’re similar and how they differ.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
What’s the Key Difference Between Trills and Tremolo: Trills
Trills quickly alternate between neighboring notes in a scale:
- For instance, the example below alternates between C and Bb.
- Trills can be measured or unmeasured. This means that they can have a set rhythmic value (thus measured), or the player can just trill as fast as they’re able (thus unmeasured).
- In sheet music, a trill is indicated by a “tr” printed above the written note (see the first example below).
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
That’s what it looks like in a score, but this is how you’d actually play it:
Soundtrack Example:
If you want to learn this riff:
Video: Violin Example
Video: Piano Example
Video: Guitar Example
What’s the Key Difference Between Trills and Tremolo: Tremolo Picking
Tremolo picking is a fast repetition of the same note:
- This has been widely used in heavy rock and heavy metal guitar solos featuring fast alternate picking.
- You can hear this in Van Halen’s iconic guitar solo Eruption.
- Tremolo is also a classical guitar technique. However, instead of using alternate picking, it features a rotating cycle of right-hand fingers plucking the strings.
Video: Rock Guitar Example
Video: Classical Guitar Example
What’s the Key Difference Between Trills and Tremolo: Classical Tremolo
Like tremolo picking, orchestral tremolo can feature the rapid repetition of a single note:
- This can be heard in the video below of Debussy’s La Mer (in the string section – time stamp 0:19 – 1:38).
- However, the effect is different than what we heard with the guitar because all the instruments playing a part (e.g., violins, violas, cellos, or double basses) play the same tremolo note. This creates a lush, susurrating sound.
- In addition, orchestral tremolo also has the option of quickly switching between chord tones. This is widely used for background string parts in orchestral music.
The following example shows what it looks like in a classical piano score:
- The half and whole notes tell you how long you play the tremolo for.
- The two lines above the staff imply that you’ll be alternating between the C and E in the treble staff and the C and G in the bass staff (in the first and last chords) at about the rate of a sixteenth note. (Likewise, you’d play the second chord in the first measure in the same manner.)
- However, you’ll play the notes unmeasured, so you’ll be alternating them quickly without counting the exact number of repetitions.
Video: Strings Example
Video: Orchestral Example (La Mer)
Video: Piano Example (at the end)
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- Trills decorate a melody, adding flash and sparkle. In classical music, you’ll often add them to your melodies on the second repetition of a section of music.
- Tremolo picking quickly repeats a note.
- Likewise, classical tremolo can repeat a note but can also alternate between chord tones, creating a susurrating background harmony.
Have fun playing!
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© 2025 Geoffrey Keith
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