‖ tremolo Mus.
(ˈtremolo, anglicized ˈtrɛmələʊ)
In 8 tremola; also 9 tremulo.
[It. tremolo adj. trembling, shaking, quavering:—L. tremul-us tremulous.]
1. A tremulous or vibrating effect produced on certain musical instruments or in the human voice in singing, esp. to express intensity of emotion: cf. vibrato.
| [1724 Short Explic. For. Wds. in Mus. Bks., Tremola, to Tremble, a particular Grace in Musick.] 1801 Busby Dict. Mus., Tremolo, Tremolante, or Tremente, a word intimating that the notes are to be drawn out with a tremulous motion. 1865 M. E. Braddon Sir Jasper xvii, The trickling arpeggios and treble tremulos of a modern nocturne were all-sufficient. 1884 H. C. Deacon in Grove Dict. Mus. IV. 166/2 The instrumental tremolo is more nearly allied to the vocal vibrato. Indeed, what is called ‘vibrato’ on bowed instruments is what would be ‘tremolo’ in vocal music. |
| attrib. 1896 Godey's Mag. Feb. 195/1 Some cheap melodramatic stuff with tremolo shudders in the orchestra. |
b. transf. and fig.
| 1877 Lockhart Mine is Thine xviii, Her back still turned and a tremolo in her voice. 1897 Daily News 23 Nov. 6/2 He [a writer] executes so many tremolos and elaborate modulations on his theme. |
2. A mechanical contrivance in an organ by which such an effect is produced; a tremulant. Also tremolo stop.
| 1867 A. J. Wilson Vashti xi, The..overwhelming pathos of the tones affected Dr. Grey much as the tremolo stop in some organ-overture in a dimly-lighted cathedral. 1869 M. J. Matthews in Eng. Mech. 31 Dec. 385/3 A sixth is the ‘tremolo’, the least valuable of the lot. |
______________________________
Add: [2.] b. A device used on an electric guitar to produce a tremolo effect, by varying the tension of the strings; spec. = tremolo arm, sense *3 below.
| 1959 Melody Maker 21 Nov. 19 (Advt.), Electric Guitars complete with amplifiers... Amplifier fitted with tremolo. 1963 Ibid. 28 Sept. 15/6 Many devices add to the natural sound of the guitar—tremolo and echo for instance. 1977 K. Achard Fender Guitar 25 A new built-in ‘Floating Tremolo’ was fitted to the Jazzmaster. 1984 Money Apr. 34/3 Fender's Stratocaster electric guitar with tremolo (for a vibrato effect) and case. 1989 Guitar Player Mar. 29 (Advt.), He asked for a Strat with..the American Standard tremolo. |
3. Special Comb. tremolo arm, a lever arm used on an electric guitar to produce a tremolo effect; cf. sense *2 b above.
| 1961 Melody Maker 8 July 15/3 (Advt.), Amplifiers—Echo units—*Tremolo arms. 1982 D. Lawrenson Compl. Guitar Guide 9/2 In 1954..the Fender Stratocaster..had three pickups instead of two... There was also a tremolo arm which moved the strings up and down to give a vibrato effect. 1990 Independent 28 Sept. 17/4, I could hit a note and bend it up with the tremolo arm, or bend it down. |
Hence ˈtremolo v. intr. rare, to perform in tremolo.
| 1924 H. T. Lowe-Porter tr. Mann's Buddenbrooks II. viii. vi. 114 There are tricks; and you tremolo here, too—where did you pick that up? 1978 Gramophone Mar. 1627/3 It is odd to hear Recuerdos tremoloed by a mandolin instead of the guitar. |