Tremolo

The classical tremolo (p-a-m-i) repeats the same treble note very quickly, three times after each bass note: the ear hears a sustained melody, as if played by a violin or mandolin, above an arpeggiated accompaniment. Its monument is Francisco Tárrega's Recuerdos de la Alhambra (1896).

Building the tremolo

1. Slow and strong: p-a-m-i in eighth notes, each note well articulated. Check that a, m and i strike the string at the same spot.
2. Evenness: record yourself; the three treble notes must be identical in volume and length (the “gallop” is the most common fault).
3. Speed in small steps: metronome, +4 bpm a day only when it is perfectly even.
4. The bass: the thumb plays slightly louder and moves between strings without disturbing the fingers.

M:4/4
L:1/16
Q:1/4=60
K:Am clef=treble-8
"Am"A,eee Eeee A,ddd Eccc | "Dm"Dddd A,ddd Dfff A,ddd | "E"E,BBB B,BBB E,^d^d^d B,BBB | "Am"[A,EAce]16 |]