Trill extension line
A trill extension line continues the trill for the horizontal span of the wavy line. Alternate the written and upper neighbouring notes until the line ends; accidentals attached to the trill alter the indicated neighbour.
- Ornaments and grace notes
- Stretching between notes
- A wave or squiggle
Do not confuse it with
A trill line follows a trill mark and defines its span; a wavy glissando line connects two pitches and indicates travel between them.
What the sources say
- MEI Guidelines — Trills
Often the abbreviation is followed by a wavy line that indicates the length of the trill.
- Finale — Trills
a wavy extension line (~) that indicates the length of the trill.
- Stone, Music Notation in the Twentieth Century
On single trilled notes the wavy line may be omitted