Trill
A rapid, repeated alternation between two notes, usually a whole or half step apart, produced by hammer-ons and pull-offs.
A trill is the densest form of legato ornament and in classical repertoire is written out with its own symbol. On guitar it is most often two fingers of the fret hand striking and releasing in quick succession while one more finger holds the lower note steady, so all the energy comes from the fretting hand. A well-executed trill stays even, does not slow down at the end, and is often closed by resolving into a picked note for a clean finish.
Example: A classical piece that ends a phrase with a shimmering oscillation between two adjacent frets is using a trill.
See also
Related
- PageHammer-on
- PagePull-off
- PageGrace note
- PageAccent
- PageAction height
- PageAlternate picking
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley