How to Play the Fiddle : How to Use the Vibrato Technique to Play the Fiddle

[LuthiersChile]

Hey @expertvillage, greets from Chile. Can you say what is the name of the song that you play? Thanks a lot.

[MrAnimeFreak777]

I believe this weird vibrato is so because its a fiddle type of music.

[anvilofaugust]

I think when you vibrato you're only supposed to go slightly flat and then up to the note, you're never supposed to ever go sharp because you'll be out of tune since you're not anchored onto the actual pitch.

[mrwasbesonders]

That is not vibrato. It is spasmato.

[vildeveitja95]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

I'm mostly self trained, but there was one thing i just could not get, and that was my vibrato. I talked with someone who said i'd have to pull my fingers up and down, but that just didn't work. When i watched other people play i could see their hands shaking when they played, but my hand hardly shaked though i was playing a beautiful vibrato, so i just could not figure out what i did worng, but now i got it ;) thank you ;)

[EmilyExplicit1357]

He should bend his wrist, all european fiddlers or violinist all bend their writs between straight and the body of the violin. it sould never touch the violins body, I have been playing for a couple of months and when i straighten my writs, i always get uncomfortable. plus it makes the sound fuller. his bowing is perfect, but needs to be relaxed. overall he is good at playing!

[RakanishuKitty]

@EmilyExplicit1357 I believe it is spelled, 'wrist'.

[SaggioSM]

seems constrained.



[MartinRaetzJr]

Sounds very good. I like your style.

[anakinskypi]

haha nice....... he played scotish borders!!!!!!!!

[AnimeEyes143]

So it is rolling your finger o:

Wow, violin revelation! Thank you so much :3

[rappinfiddler]

wow i think i have learned it all right here great job

[jyothisjames9]

please work on your bow hand, it will give you much more control. I cant imagine self teaching but you have come a long way. soon you will realize there are a lot of little details and it will piss you off.

[jyothisjames9]

his bow had doesent look right... or am i blind

[ViolinTreble]

@jyothisjames9 you r blind, his bowing is perfect

[nikiunicorn]

This is too hard i will never get it!!! :('

[jyothisjames9]

peivate lessons really help.

[levicorpus1145]

i cannot hear it well but nice job..

[elchavodelocio]

nice job, guys

[minapolo2000]

the best teacher in the world could not be the best player and the best player in the world is not the best teacher so plz grow up and think positive

[DJFozter]

You can tell that by the age of 60 David Kaynor has only 30 years of fiddle playing experience, coz it sounds poor.

If he had taken it up much younger then perhaps his vibrato would vibrate.

ExpertVillage my arse.

[alexandermciscoolert]

this guy knows nothing he sounds like beginer he cant even do vibrato himself

[alexandermciscoolert]

this is like the worst violin player ever

[Heatherlee0485]

He isn't teaching violin though guys, he is teaching fiddle teachniques, which fiddlers develope their own styles, as the saying goes a fiddle is a violin with attitude..and fiddlers do not follow violin rules...he sounds good to me.

[superstar85ca]

Nice waltz but the vibrato was hardly evident. Sorry...

[requesone]

You are good pal.

[Cr0mar]

This bloke is a muppet. By either classical of folk standards this chancers in no possition to teach anyone vibrato.

Bloody awful.

[UGetStabbed]

Youre a dick

[syadkir]

I like the way he does it , even if it does not follow the classical standards .

beauty of fiddling is exactly having your own way of doing/arranging things.

much better than one who tries to attend others' expectations , is the musician who expresses himself honestly according to his own idea of how things should be.

Joshua Bell is no better than Uncle Pen and vice versa.

and this guy here had a positive attitude of sharing his own ways.

[Frozenyak]

i respect the freedom of developing your own style by yourself, but having been a self taught guitarist for nearly ten years now it is pretty annoying when you hit a wall and have to go back and relearn something basic because of poorly chosen technique style :S

[stefanionita]

No offense Dave but I agree most of the negative comments. The level of the fingerboard is wrong, your tone production is poor, both hands look and sound rigid and your right wrist should never bend like that. You guys out there go check ProfessorV's lessons and Simon Fischer lessons. They are decent lessons by real violin teachers. Hope this helps to all.

[marcelaelsa]

Necesito la explicaciòn en castrllano please!!!

Marcela de Argentina. Gracias

[sixarrowsman]

This guy is incompetent and should not be teaching.

[twstdspirit]

do you need to be limp wristed to learn to use this technique?

[KetolaKun]

no, but it is a really tough technique, I've played for years, and I still can't vibrato, it's that hard, don't worry about learning it, once you become very good it will develop naturally, I've can vibrato very slowly, which doesn't help with violin very much, because because it would sound like his. How fast you vibrato depends on the speed of the piece itself, that's why his vibrato is very sleepy.

[KinwaSo]

this kind of Fiddle is bot clear

[trachngoc]

Do you vibrato, each note or there is a way you just know which note to shake the note.

maybe sound like dump question but i would like to know.

thanks

[cactusproductions]

each note if u would like to vibrato open notes then u would just play 4 on g for vibrato d like that u cant do open g vibrato

also i know about vibrato but i cant do it this vid didnt teach me at all

[sasha42196]

Part 2. Hold up the violin with left hand, the forearm & wrist forming a straight line. ou do not need the bow. Slide a finger toward you on the string using the forward motion of the wrist (start with the index finger) to control distance and speed. Do not slide the finger independent of the wrist. Do it slowly, back and forth. Relax the wrist and do not help with the forearm. After a while, increase speed and decrease the sliding distance to the point where it is not sliding but rocking.

[sasha42196]

Part 1. The key is 1) to understand the mechanics 2)using the wrist rather than fingers 3) taking the time to practice. It's not difficult but it is an acquired skill. Important: unless this is done right, you will injure yourself.

Start without the violin/fiddle. Lift your left arm with the palm facing you and slowly rock the wrist back and forth without using the forearm. VERY VERY slowly increase speed, always keep the wrist relaxed and make sure the forearm doesn't sway, only wrist.

[nimuroji]

I often think it's a bit incorrect to say wrist , unless you are in a high position your wrist remains straight and movement comes from the elbow, causing a rolling of the finger at the first knuckle.. that's my mechanical explanation ha! though i think fiddle music is v. different to classical technique so the person in this video has place for "fiddle techniques".

I used to play baroque violin and we did bow vibrato which is pretty frownded upon these days

[sasha42196]

We are two different schools. I personally think that, unless you have some acrobatic skills, using the elbow for vibrato is unnecessary. It reminds me of trying to write with the entire forearm rather than the wrist. It sounds unnatural and sloppy. But maybe you got it right.

[fiddler9635]

now i taught my self vibrato and i lift my finger up and down. my teacher gets in to me for it but it sounds preatty good and i find it easier.

[samhaindk]

I can play vibrato, don't know how i did it, bu i read some tips that didn't help much, and then 6 months later, I did it :) Yay. It will come! Trust me. I know another violinist who has been playing for abput 10 years, and she can't do vibrato.

I've been playing for 2 years!

[Lchsloy92]

What is the name of that tune? Thanks.

[Derild4921]

i self-taught myself and i think i can do it....

[ravielein]

Vibrato is not that hard, it just needs practise. I had do to practise for for nearly three months, but then, one day, it workes. So don't get desperate, but keep on trying! Hint: Keep your hands away from the neck!

[xbabyduckkkissesx]

i can kinda do it. but needs practice ive been playin since the 6th grade but mah teacher doesnt know how :P

[xbabyduckkkissesx]

i can kinda do it. but needs practice ive been playin since the 6th grade but mah teacher doesnt know how :P

[abeeric]

vibrato, i don't think i am ever gonna get it! :-(

i really enjoyed your video though. great information and hope...and waht a beautiful song!

thank you!

[boxer123123]

the title is longer than the video.

[g00521280]

how much did that fiddle cost?

[cerealkiller244]

30 days ago i had gotten my violin as my birthday present.

and since then i been watching your videos.

and now i can play a few tunes...

thank you sooo much for this. you really helped me out.

[sasha42196]

Wow, your right hand and arm are totally rigid.  Most of bowing movements, especially intricate ones, should mostly be controlled by the wrist and fingers, with only propelling action of the arm. I bet you have serious arthritis in that hand. You are hurting yourself!

[ronickwillis]

then be useful and make a video so we can see how to do it right!

[piggywiggycurlytail]

i totally agree... if you don't like the way thats he's doing it, do one yourself

[sasha42196]

Please, there are enough videos out there with competent teachers. I made a comment that the dude's right arm is rigid, it wasn't meant to be malicious or condescending. Anyone who plays like that is going to have problems in the long term.

[chrisjoebekham]

wow be my teacher!

[MegumiFF7]

wow he got long fingers lol

[violin7138]

thanks 4 teaching me vibrato!

[deewa4csx]

enjoyable and informative thanks

[SchnozzaFozza]

the violinist should stop worrying about vibrato but should work on his bow hold!!

[pingpongmaster75]

im not sure where u learned ur violin techniques..very poor

[ralphbluecoat]

his FIDDLE techniques are mostly self taught as he said. the standards of folk playing compared to classical playing is much lower. its a genre of music that focuses on listening and watching other people and less on "propper" technique.

[chikensouplov3er]

what song is that called?

[marylaf]

I was disappointed that it did not TEACH how to actually do the vibrato! That's what I want to do and find it extrememly hard.

[Vioolconcert]

belachlijk... wat vreislijk.... je kan echt geen viool spelen

[et3rn4lsuff3r1ng]

I learned vibrato and i have only been playing violin for 2 years. I developed it at the first year and a half. Do not be frustrated. Vibrato will come just give it time. A joke i love to tell my friends that can't do vibrato is "let the vibrato come to u" and its true. It came to me and when the teacher saw it he waas like WHERE DID U GET SUCH A BEAUTIFUL VIBRATO and i was like god gave it to me?

[MafiaChick1]

i have been playing the violin for 4 and a half years and i still cant do the vibrato, WHEN WILL IT COME TO ME ! lol

but damn its hard

[et3rn4lsuff3r1ng]

Fear not fellow violinist it shall come when it comes xD. I know that sounds dumb but its better than other people positioning want ur arm the way they want it to be and ending up with u in an akward position xD

[MafiaChick1]

lol tell me about it.

I was watchin a vid and someone suggested leanin the violin against a wall.

I was like WTF, i nearly broke the damn thing lol.

[et3rn4lsuff3r1ng]

XD well when you play try to be over enthusiastic about it. Play LIKE you have feeling xD or pretend and overdramatize it. I think thats how i got mine i just kinda pretended i knew how to and played xD. Just like how everyone is different we all learn it at different speeds. I would rather learn how to play the dam notes right then vibrato

[MafiaChick1]

Thnks.

So in another 4 yrs ill have mastered it XD

[alexsayal]

watch your right hand... try to put it down...

that G is really out of tune, but ok.

nice one, vibrato really needs some studying...

[futureStudentofNEC]

some of your notes are out of tune. watch the setting the bow before you begin playing a phrase.

[hipersonhello]

ahh i just dont get vibrato!..=P

[parrotruler]

same here!

[hipersonhello]

ok that was 3 monthes ago..now its coming more easily. =]]

[8000443]

i belived you failed to mention that there are many ways to play vibrato(many of you responders commented on that)

[et3rn4lsuff3r1ng]

how many types of vibratos are there? all i no is the wrist vibrato and the arm vibrato.

[fiddler9635]

ok so you move your finger up and down the neck????? i was told that you lift it off the neck for verbrato and then put it back down.....

[zeppelinboy777]

whoever told you that is a douche

[et3rn4lsuff3r1ng]

That was my first version of vibrato its retarded. When u press and let go all ur doing is making it sound like vibrato. That way f vibratoing actullay does alot of damage to ur fingers. Try loosening up the flesh on ur finger tip first. Like rubbing the finger on the table without sliding and inch. Let the finger role to one side then go back and forth.

[LazyBadgerHC715]

sweet thanks ddo u play any other insterments I play viola and piano

[missviolin0614]

o wow! i was wondering if i was doing the vibrato correctly cuz like i'm just copying. so far i just learned about trills. lol

[daines246]

wow! i've never seen anyone play with such a straight bow

[diannef13]

thanks its very helpful

[trilegarde]

I feel vibrato is quite hard to do... a video once showed me the, vibrato was a kind of wrist action. It is quite hard to move my wrist with the violin. when I put my fingers on the violin strings it feel like I am stuck their and can't move much. How can I increase my wrist action?

[MsBurrito]

it involves your fingers as well as your wrist. as you move your wrist back, you stretch your fingers with your wrist.

[trilegarde]

Thank you!

[avenged7fold2425]

become left handed, it worked for me!

[Fiddle315]

Worthless video. No where in htere does he instruct on how to do Vibrato. I am never interested and will never pay a teacher who wants to show off his skill but can't explain how he does what he is doing.

[trilegarde]

Ask him, if you want to know something, he will not bite, lol. Best wishes.

[Zihuacrab]

Very nice to find people interested in sharing this kind of info. I live in a town where are no violin teachers. I have been learning from a music director who is a fiddler as well. The thing is that he comes twice a week and not always been available. I really need to move. Thanks a lot for the advice. I just hope I will soon improve my vibratto.

[ladybugzRock]

i really need to do vibrato for my grade 4 exam, ive been playing for about 5 years and i can do vibrato badly, but Youve made it kinda clearer to me thank you!

[concertpianist15]

In my first year of violin instructon I learned to do vibrato. I am now in my second year.

[cruelangelgreenroi]

wow, u must be jesus

[et3rn4lsuff3r1ng]

ME TOO WE ARE VIOLIN Genisus

[ShadowxVincent]

I've been playing the violin for 7 years and still can't do vibrato very well, but i'm still first chair for my high school orchestra. trust me, vibrato is nice, but it isn't completely neccesary to sound good. =)

[Sjonyonye]

That was a good video. The thing you said about rolling the finger made it so clear for me. Thank you.

[mumisanmartin]

iv been playing the violin for 1 year and i still have not lerned virbato!!!

[Kelsiisme]

I've been playing 3 years and I haven't even learned vibrato, trust me, your not alone.

[mumisanmartin]

thank you

[choomanfoo]

Thanks David!

[AmIcoolorwhat]

nooo fair!! i wanna do vibrato and i just got a violin like, yesterday.... NO FAIR!! psh, you got long skinny fingers