Tremelo
You master the tremelo the same way you master any musical pattern.
- By LOOPING the pattern so you can play many repetitions in a short time.
- By playing the loop as musically as you can - with rhythm, articulation, dynamics and attention to timbre.
- By choosing different starting points in the loop.
The standard right hand tremolo pattern p - a- m - i is a variant of our basic STROKING pattern a - m - i - p.
Let's practice the standard right hand tremolo pattern.
- Abstract the pattern and apply it to different material (In this case a C major scale in first position)
- Make a pedal tone of the upper tonic
- Choose different starting points in the loop
Steady and with the marked accents:
Then begin on i changing the pattern from p a m i to i p a m.
Exactly the same notes but played in a different order:
Then begin on m changing the pattern from i p a m to m i p a.
Maintain the regular accent pattern to make sure you are not just running the notes in an indistinct loop.
Then begin on a changing the pattern from m i p a to a m i p.
Needless to say all this should sound like a piece of music. Perhaps an excerpt from a toccata?
Benefits:
- You have learned a musical technique from various angles
- Created a useful musical device which you can use as an introduction" an interlude a joining passage or in a composition.
Music Technique
Iterative Practice