Topmusicanswers
Which note do Baroque trills start on?
The following observation leads to a question that has been in the back of my mind for years: It is a given that trills in music of the Baroque normally begin on the dissonant note. A high percentage of trills in the music of a later Baroque composer, say Bach, therefore, begin on the upper (dissonant) note.
What note do trills start on?
Trills almost always start on the note higher than the one that's written. So if you've got a C with the “tr” symbol above it, you'll almost definitely be alternating D-C, starting on D.
How do you play trills in Bach?
The execution of trills depends largely on their context. Most often, they are to be played on the beat, starting with the upper note. If approached from the step above, trills should be played on the main note in fast tempi and on the upper note in slow tempi.
