The trill · Ornaments · Music theory
The trill is a fast, sustained alternation between the main note and the upper one, marked “tr” and often with a wavy line. In Baroque and Classical music…
The trill
The trill is a fast, sustained alternation between the main note and the upper one, marked “tr” and often with a wavy line. In Baroque and Classical music it usually starts on the upper note; from the 19th century, on the main note.
At cadences it usually ends with a termination, two notes that surround the main note and lead to the next one.
How to start and how to end
The Baroque trill nearly always starts on the upper note, because it acts as a chain of small appoggiaturas, and is sometimes marked with a simple cross. In the Classical period that remains normal. From the early 19th century, starting on the main note takes over.
The notes are not counted: what matters is evenness and arriving well at the next note. You can start slowly and speed up, above all in a long trill. The termination is usually played even if unwritten at the end of a cadence.