tr ?

[jadoube]

In my lesson "homework" this week I've spotted a notation I've not come across before - tr above a note. Can anyone enlighten me please.


John

 

[Jules]

Trill, I think....?

 

[Linky Lee]

yep.

traditionally this means alternate between the note in the key signature above and the written note.

The speed depends upon the style and the duration.

They can be marked differently as well so that you trill with the lower note, or trill to a flat or sharp, often seen before a modulation to preempt it.

 

[jadoube]

Thanks Lee. Some follow up questions;

a) You start on the note above, play the written note and repeat this a number of times Or the other way round, starting on the written note?

b) Is it always in pairs, so you come out after the second note (whichever of the orders above applies)

c) With a crotchet on a slow paced piece might it typically be say 3-4 repeats, or are we looking at 10 or more? Or is it completely a free choice?

John

 

[Linky Lee]

well it does depend upon the style,
with jazz you can choose how many repeats to do, trills are usually fast, otherwise they're written in as semi-quavers or something if they want an actual metered effect.

In classical music you start on the written note and end on the note above.

In baroque music this is different and you start on the auxiliary note, with some exceptions dependent upon it's harmonic status (if it's a dissonant note you start on it, if not you begin on the dissonant note).

 

[jadoube]

Ok, thanks again.

 

[Bobby G]

Is a trill sometimes written as /\/\/\/\/\/\ above the note?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Bobby G wrote:
Is a trill sometimes written as /\/\/\/\/\/\ above the note?

Yes

 

[Linky Lee]

though don't get it mixed up with a /\/ (a smaller wiggley line).

This is an upper mordent (a standard trill but only played once, i.e. written note, higher note, written note for the rest of the duration.

A small squigley with a line through it is a lower mordent, which means use the note below respectively.