What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
trill
Example
The flutist executed a beautiful trill in the solo. [trill: noun]
Example
The singer trilled the final note of the aria with precision. [trilled: past tense verb]
tremolo
Example
The guitarist used a tremolo effect to create a haunting sound. [tremolo: noun]
Example
The violinist played the passage with a delicate tremolo. [tremolo: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trill and tremolo are both relatively uncommon words outside of musical contexts. However, tremolo is more commonly used in modern music production due to its electronic applications.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between trill and tremolo?
Both trill and tremolo are formal terms used in musical contexts and are not typically used in everyday conversation.