What is lilt?

Sean Baumann · #1 07-06-2006, 03:23 PM

A band member asked me to play a particular passage with a lilt. What does that mean? How would that look in written music?

Thanks!

BassChuck · #2 07-06-2006, 05:29 PM

By definition, lightly and in a flowing manner. On the page the notes would be the same, but the words "with a lilt" or something to that effect would be written above the staff.

What to do? Make sure the first beat of the measure is strong, but not accented, and the remainer of the notes in that measure lead to the next measure. Its a phrasing thing.

Sean Baumann · #3 07-06-2006, 05:38 PM

oohhhhh ok. I think I get it now.

7flat5 · #4 07-06-2006, 09:41 PM

If it was a waltz time, he might have meant to rush the 2 just a tad. Listen to some Strauss waltzes. It's more a rhythm thing, to my mind.

Bassist4Life · #5 07-06-2006, 09:49 PM

A lot of images come to mind when I think of "lilt". One that works for me is skipping. It's a light and bouncy feel. The notes tend to be played a little shorter too.

Hope this helps out a bit.

Joe