tremolo
noun
trem·o·lo ˈtre-mə-ˌlō 
plural tremolos
1
a
: the rapid reiteration of a musical tone or of alternating tones to produce a tremulous effect
b
: vocal vibrato especially when prominent or excessive
2
: a mechanical device in an organ for causing a tremulous effect
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Aslan Freeman, from Lainey’s road band, established a vacillating acoustic guitar current; Rob McNelley contributed George Harrison-like twin slide guitars; and Billy Justineau offered tremolo keyboard over Fred Eltringham’s understated drum part. 
Tom Roland, Billboard, 14 June 2022 And the customary piccolo tremolo that used to run above the crowd noise of every comedy club—the excess laughter of the one drunk and slightly hysterical patron—had no purchase or possibility here. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 7 June 2021 There's a lovely feline supercharger howl, plus the whine of the serpentine belt and some intake roar, not to mention a mechanical valvetrain tremolo. John Phillips, Car and Driver, 20 May 2020 The music, by Akira Miyoshi and Michael Gordon, is more urgent — tremolos on marimba, mysterious and thunderous — and the choreography is more agitated: an exchange of whiplash duets and trios like excited molecules. Brian Seibert, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020 These guys came to me with all these tremolo, feedback, wah-wah, fuzz-pedal songs and just completely kicked my butt. Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, 5 Nov. 2019 Some of these events recurred, like glissandos, playing on the bridge, and furiously bowed tremolos. San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2019 For example, his signature right-hand tremolo is fully established. Marc Myers, WSJ, 13 Apr. 2018 During the summer, they can be identified by their shiny black head and bill, small red eyes, and distinctive calls — tremolo, wail, yodel, and hoot. Margeaux Sippell, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2018 See More
Tom Roland, Billboard, 14 June 2022 And the customary piccolo tremolo that used to run above the crowd noise of every comedy club—the excess laughter of the one drunk and slightly hysterical patron—had no purchase or possibility here. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 7 June 2021 There's a lovely feline supercharger howl, plus the whine of the serpentine belt and some intake roar, not to mention a mechanical valvetrain tremolo. John Phillips, Car and Driver, 20 May 2020 The music, by Akira Miyoshi and Michael Gordon, is more urgent — tremolos on marimba, mysterious and thunderous — and the choreography is more agitated: an exchange of whiplash duets and trios like excited molecules. Brian Seibert, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020 These guys came to me with all these tremolo, feedback, wah-wah, fuzz-pedal songs and just completely kicked my butt. Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, 5 Nov. 2019 Some of these events recurred, like glissandos, playing on the bridge, and furiously bowed tremolos. San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2019 For example, his signature right-hand tremolo is fully established. Marc Myers, WSJ, 13 Apr. 2018 During the summer, they can be identified by their shiny black head and bill, small red eyes, and distinctive calls — tremolo, wail, yodel, and hoot. Margeaux Sippell, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Italian, from tremolo tremulous, from Latin tremulus
First Known Use
circa 1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
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