Talk:Tremolo: Difference between revisions
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Some musicians who use synthesizers have adopted/co-opted this term ("tremolo") to refer to a pure amplitude (loudness) modulation to be distinct from "[[vibrato]]" used to refer to a pure pitch modulation. But while the two effects are distinguishable if you know what to listen for, the overall effect on the tone is much the same; the term "vibrato" has historically been used for either -- a flute's vibrato, for example, is mostly amplitude modulation. Because "vibrato" can include amplitude modulation and because "tremolo" has a clear musical meaning that is something quite different, the first sense given for "tremolo" is a misnomer. |
Some musicians who use synthesizers have adopted/co-opted this term ("tremolo") to refer to a pure amplitude (loudness) modulation to be distinct from "[[vibrato]]" used to refer to a pure pitch modulation. But while the two effects are distinguishable if you know what to listen for, the overall effect on the tone is much the same; the term "vibrato" has historically been used for either -- a flute's vibrato, for example, is mostly amplitude modulation. Because "vibrato" can include amplitude modulation and because "tremolo" has a clear musical meaning that is something quite different, the first sense given for "tremolo" is a misnomer. |
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[[User:Davidhbrown|Dave]] 20:38, 3 February 2007 (UTC) |
[[User:Davidhbrown|Dave Brown]] 20:38, 3 February 2007 (UTC) |
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Re my comments above, references to use of "tremolo" to describe amplitude modulation can be found in the archives of the wind-controlled synthesizer discussion list at windlist.org (also the Yahoo group windsynth). Historical musical meaning of "tremolo" can be inferred from the lack of the pitch modulation sense and agreement with pitch repetition/alternation senses in sources such as _The New Harvard Dictionary of Music_ (Randel, Don Michael; 1986), and the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary CD-ROM (Oxford Press, 2002). |
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To directly answer the ''by whom'' question, I would suggest that the amplitude sense of tremolo would be considered a misnomer by anyone who would give precedence to the centuries of use of the term to mean something quite different. |
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[[User:Davidhbrown|Dave Brown]] 00:09, 4 February 2007 (UTC) |
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Revision as of 00:09, 4 February 2007
Naming controversy
Removed text:
Tremolo is also a short name for the tremolo system consisting of a Tremolo_arm and a Tremolo Bridge_(instrument), a part of an electric guitar that can be used to create a vibrato pitch-variation effect. In the electric guitar terms, vibrato often refers to a rapid repetetive increase and decrease in volume, similar to the first meaning of tremolo as defined above. This opposite naming of vibrato and tremolo was made popular by the products of the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation and has since become the norm in the nomenclature of players of electric guitar. Other names for the tremolo bar are Whammy Bar and Trem Bar. The Bigsby vibrato is one example of this device.
I think this is more properly discussed at this length in the tremolo bar and vibrato unit articles, as this is a (still) controversial and minority usage of the term (and I've been a serious student, and dare I say performer, of electric guitar for forty years now). Andrewa 17:49, 12 September 2005 (UTC)
Bird calls
I'm new to Wikipedia and need help updating this definition. It should be noted that a Tremolo is also the distress/defense call of the Common Loon. There are three noted Loon Tremolo types that ornithologists cite. The call is very unusual but other birds may also have a Tremolo, I am not certain.
- Please sign your posts on talk pages. Agree that this information should be included. What are your sources? Andrewa 04:53, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
Misnomer
Rem text:
, but is often considered a misnomer.
By whom is it considered a misnomer?
This isn't really consistent with what the article says, or what the existing articles at tremolo arm and vibrato unit say. Andrewa 05:01, 5 March 2006 (UTC)
Some musicians who use synthesizers have adopted/co-opted this term ("tremolo") to refer to a pure amplitude (loudness) modulation to be distinct from "vibrato" used to refer to a pure pitch modulation. But while the two effects are distinguishable if you know what to listen for, the overall effect on the tone is much the same; the term "vibrato" has historically been used for either -- a flute's vibrato, for example, is mostly amplitude modulation. Because "vibrato" can include amplitude modulation and because "tremolo" has a clear musical meaning that is something quite different, the first sense given for "tremolo" is a misnomer. Dave Brown 20:38, 3 February 2007 (UTC)
Re my comments above, references to use of "tremolo" to describe amplitude modulation can be found in the archives of the wind-controlled synthesizer discussion list at windlist.org (also the Yahoo group windsynth). Historical musical meaning of "tremolo" can be inferred from the lack of the pitch modulation sense and agreement with pitch repetition/alternation senses in sources such as _The New Harvard Dictionary of Music_ (Randel, Don Michael; 1986), and the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary CD-ROM (Oxford Press, 2002).
To directly answer the by whom question, I would suggest that the amplitude sense of tremolo would be considered a misnomer by anyone who would give precedence to the centuries of use of the term to mean something quite different. Dave Brown 00:09, 4 February 2007 (UTC)