TREMOLANT Meaning and
Definition
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Tremolant is an adjective that describes a musical effect produced by a mechanical device within an organ. It refers to a rapid, quivering or trembling fluctuation in volume and intensity of a sustained musical note or sound. This effect is achieved by a tremolo mechanism, also known as the tremulant, which is typically installed in pipe organs.
The tremolant is a device that operates by means of a set of inclined wooden or metal bars positioned beneath the pipes, or by a rotating fan situated within the organ's air supply system. When activated, the device causes small, rhythmic variations in air pressure, resulting in a wavering sound that appears to fluctuate in loudness.
The tremolant function is primarily used in organs to create a distinct expressive quality and add depth and richness to the sound produced. It is often employed in slow or meditative pieces of music to evoke a melancholic or ethereal atmosphere. By causing the notes to quiver, the tremolant can enhance the emotional impact of the music, evoking a sense of longing, uncertainty, or other similar moods.
Overall, tremolant is a term used in the context of organs and music to denote the effect of a trembling or quivering sound produced by a mechanical device, which adds a distinctive expressive element to the music played on an organ.
Common Misspellings for TREMOLANT
- rremolant
- fremolant
- gremolant
- yremolant
- 6remolant
- 5remolant
- teemolant
- tdemolant
- tfemolant
- ttemolant
- t5emolant
- t4emolant
- trwmolant
- trsmolant
- trdmolant
- trrmolant
- tr4molant
- tr3molant
- trenolant
- trekolant
Etymology of TREMOLANT
The word "tremolant" comes from the Latin word "tremulans", which is the present participle of "tremulare", meaning "to tremble" or "to shake". This Latin word is derived from the verb "tremere", which also means "to tremble". Ultimately, the source of "tremere" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *trem-, which carries the sense of "to tremble" or "to shake". The word "tremolant" is often used in music to describe a tremolo or vibrating effect produced by certain instruments or in the human voice.
