A: A trill is created by alternating between the written note and the note above the written note. There are two ways to begin the trill: on the written note, or on the note above the written note.
I have been taught that the first note of a baroque or classical trill is the note above the written note. This note is struck on the beat, not before it. It should create the effect of an embellishment, not a sound effect. In other words, it should not be a long, wiggling note, but an embellishment that begins on the upper neighbor note, then moves back and forth between the two notes just two or, at most, three times, as a decoration. The trill ends on the written note, at some point after the beat.
A trill in contemporary music should begin on the beat, on the written note. It should end on the written note.
Now, if there is a marking in the music that indicates the trill should last for many beats, then, of course, you should follow the notation. This marking looks like a long, horozontal water wave above the written note.
Q: I'm practicing piano on a short, electronic keyboard. When should I get myself a fullsize keyboard?
A: As long as all the notes in your music are on the keyboard, you will not suffer due to the length of the keyboard. However, your technique will suffer due to the difference in the weight of the keys between an electronic keyboard and a piano. I have played some electronic pianos that were very good -- they were specifically designed to mimic the feel of an acoustic piano. However, nothing feels just like an acoustic piano. There is no electronic keyboard that will allow you to develop the range of subtle techniques that playing excellent piano requires. If you intend to develop the necessary piano technique to play intermediate and advanced piano pieces well, you should be playing on a well-maintained acoustic piano exclusively now.
Q: What is the meaning of the following terms:
Tempo Primo
poco piu mosso e vivace
allegro giocoso
A: Tempo Primo - Return to the tempo of the beginning of the piece.
poco piu mosso e vivace - a little more motion, and lively.
allegro giocoso - quick and playful.
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