tremblement

Trill. The French Baroque trill (tremblement) begins on the upper auxiliary note, not on the principal note — the upper note falls on the beat, generating a dissonance that resolves downward. Couperin distinguishes multiple varieties in his ornament table: the tremblement simple, tremblement lié (tied), tremblement appuyé (held upper note, then trill), tremblement fermé (ending on the principal note without a termination), and others. Most trills in French Baroque practice have an upper-note start.

Begin every trill on the upper auxiliary, on the beat, with harmonic weight. The speed of the alternation should suit the tempo and affect: slow, expressive tremblements in slow movements; faster alternations in lively pieces. Consult Couperin's table to identify which variety of tremblement is notated. A tremblement appuyé means the upper note is held as an appoggiatura before the trill begins — leave time for both the sustained upper note and the trill.