Re: [Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 84, Issue 47 (tremolo guitar effect)

["Doug H" <dough.harpl@xxxxxxxxx>]

Tremolo is the name of one of the original and still very common effects for electric guitar.  And that effect is purely a variation in the volume.  The tremolo harmonica is the only other use of the term I've heard, and that too seems to be a variation in volume only.

It sounds like from the comments here that 'vibrato' means different things in different contexts and can mean a combination of volume and pitch variation, but to me, with my 'did-it-my-way' musical education, tremolo means a variation in volume only.

Does anyone have examples of areas of music where the term tremolo is traditionally used to mean anything else?

Doug H

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dr. Michael J. Marino, DC 
  To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 2:32 PM
  Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 84, Issue 47


  The only instrument I know of that deal in Tremolo are either Free
  reed or Organs. The only exception to this is the string family and it
  is Vibrato by the definitions given here.

  I deal with almost the whole family of free reed and talk to those
  who play other instruments on a daily and weekly basis. I also have
  almost 10 yrs of vocal training behind me and Vibrato is discussed,
  tremolo never was.

  I can go into deeper depth but at the moment just pointing out that
  tremolo tends not to be something many other instruments deal with.
  Vibrato on the other hand is and is often a mixed bag of tricks that
  is either very much wanted when under proper control or not wanted at
  all.

  As to what each is, well I will go into the Library and pull out the
  dry academic description on that part. I will give my sources as
  personal opinion is not enough for myself and don't expect others to
  accept it either.

  Michael

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: "" 
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  Sent:Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:58:23 -0400
  Subject:Harp-L Digest, Vol 84, Issue 47

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