Definition: The alternation of two musical tones a diatonic second apart
Notation
In most modern musical notation, a trill is generally indicated with the letters tr above the trilled note. This has sometimes been followed by a wavy line, and sometimes, in the baroque and early classical periods, the wavy line was used on its own. The following two notations are equivalent:
Period Trills
In the Baroque era all trills began from above. [Approximately (1580-1750)]
In the Classical era the practice of starting the trill from above continued, but a turned ending became more common. [Approximately (1750-1820)]
In the Romantic era, some composers began to start the trill on the main note to prevent blurring the melodic or harmonic outlines. Romantic trills may begin from above or on the main note. [Approximately (1800-1910)]
Information taken from Ornamentation: A Question & Answer Manual by Valery Lloyd-Watts and Carole L Bigler; Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., Van Nuys, CA; 1965;
Flute Trill Fingerings
Here is a resource page for Flute Trill Fingerings. Links to trill fingering charts for different levels and trill fingering apps!
Flute Trill Exercises
Trills should be practiced. Be ready when they show up in your music.
Start your own list of flute trill exercises. Here are a few:
Beginning Flute Student Trill Exercises
Platonov Thirty Studies for Solo Flute Edited by Ervin Monroe
#4 in e minor – Melodic exercise for speed and middle finger F# practice.
#5 in G Major – Good early trill fingering exercise
Advanced Flute Student Trill Exercises
The last exercise in Taffanel et Gaubert 17 Daily Exercises focuses on trills. Expand the range at both ends of this exercise to practice the awkward trills on the lowest and highest notes of the flute.
Flute Trill Humor
So if you have read this far on trills, here is a treat for you!
Once in a Master Class with James Galway he had a unique and sort of comical suggestion for trilling G – G# in the first and second octaves. He said “Holding the flute with your left hand, just reach over the flute with your right hand and trill L4 with your right hand“!!!!
I have never used this myself but it does give you an open invitation to creating your own alternate fingerings!
