@ThatOneKid641 I have short fingers too. Besides, it's the freely rocking motion of the hand that will roll the fingertip and create the vibrato sound. Having short fingers is not an impediment. Keep doing the exercises!
Thank you - a very helpful video. I'm a grade 5 adult learner and vibrato is likely to be the undoing of me. If my fiddle were alive I'd have accidentally strangled it by now! Tension tension tension. Your tips have helped me to work on relaxing and loosening up. Thanks for posting.
I m speechless....the vibrato came right along with your explanaition about the thumb. I never paid attention to it and now it started to move, all my hand and arm. In another way of saying, the vibrato is ALSO with the thumb. You're great. thanks a lot.
In the previous vibrato video you talked about the flexibility of your first knuckle. I was wondering though, how far back is your knuckle going to be rocking when you do it faster? Does the exageration of the finger motion change at all when your doing fast vibrato? Because I'm having a lot of trouble with that, expecially on my third finger.
@padfoot92 The knuckle still has a generous amount of movement when going faster. The trick is developing the flexibility. Practice by starting the vibrato without any finger pressure, and slowly add pressure (10%..20%..etc.. over the course of weeks) until you still have that flexibility in the knuckle but you have the string almost fully pressed down. I am preparing to do some slow motion close-up vibrato videos. I'll post them on my channel when they're finished.
vibrato is basically the shift of pitch, and we do this by moving pressure from our finger tip to our finger "palm" correct? But what if our instrument is shaking slightly? is the vibrato completely wrong?
@darkworld97 Usually, the "shaking" violin is caused by too much pressure with the thumb, and often between the thumb and the inside of the first finger. Yet, because the vibrato is such a large movement (and should be to be effective) it is natural that there is a pull/tug with the neck of the violin. When the thumb is relaxed, something else happens: the wiggly skin is the "shock absorber" for the movement. It moves and the violin doesn't.
@iramor Of course, it will vary. The fastest I ever saw a student "get" a respectable vibrato was 6 weeks. On average, if you really did seriously practice for at least 20 minutes of vibrato exercises a day, then I would estimate 2 to 4 months.
Hmmm any chance of a C string special vid for viola players on vibrato? Especially in 4th and 5th position? 4th finger vibrato is murder at that point. Thanks for your website really helpful. (although i need to lower it a fifth)
Thank you so much, your website is so wonderful and with lots of info and details that my teacher did not tell me about. Seriously the best violin website I visited so far.. thumbs up!
@gudlife008 It sounds like you're using arm exclusively. The best and most relaxed vibratos have some element of wrist motion, as well as movement in the knuckles. It's very hard to undo tension. I think it would be beneficial to start incorporating wrist motion into your vibrato technique, and although it may not sound appealing, my best suggestion is to start all over with the exercises. I have a 12 part vibrato training series at Violin Lab (dot com) if you have a chance to check it out.
Is it okay if the top section of my thumb does not touch the neck of my fiddle, while the lower section of my thumb (if you will) is the one "supporting" the neck?
@melodel2 If your hand is small, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. As long as you're not "clenching" the neck in any way, you can make it work. I do have videos on the subject at Violin Lab if you care to google..
I love your videos! I apprciate all of it! because you provide such great knowledge and you are a big big BIG help! !
I am a hobby player and I study the violin at my own pace, however because of the way how you explain the complexity and difficult things about the violin it made me understand it much easier, showing me the true meaning of playing =)
I hope if you have time, wi you watch my video too? and comment on my playing so i can learn more! I Thank you so much!! =D Keep it up!
@Antreidez Thank you for your kind words. I have a website called Violin Lab (you can google the name) where if you join, you can post videos on our community page. I give feedback and post video responses with advice and practice tips. I would love for you to join us.
this is very helpful! my wrist often goes stiff when i use my biceps and it's frustrating when i can't produce a fast and wide' vibrato... thanks for the lesson!!
Both top comments are the person who reply a question. o.O
Pizzaplanet101 1 week ago
is it usually akward in the beginning
2nosayno 2 months ago
Another superb video...you're the best, thanks!!!
Danofnj 3 months ago
Does finger length affect vibrato? I have short fingers and I can't do it
ThatOneKid641 3 months ago
@ThatOneKid641 I have short fingers too. Besides, it's the freely rocking motion of the hand that will roll the fingertip and create the vibrato sound. Having short fingers is not an impediment. Keep doing the exercises!
violinlab 3 months ago
Thank you - a very helpful video. I'm a grade 5 adult learner and vibrato is likely to be the undoing of me. If my fiddle were alive I'd have accidentally strangled it by now! Tension tension tension. Your tips have helped me to work on relaxing and loosening up. Thanks for posting.
Weststreetstar 3 months ago
I m speechless....the vibrato came right along with your explanaition about the thumb. I never paid attention to it and now it started to move, all my hand and arm. In another way of saying, the vibrato is ALSO with the thumb. You're great. thanks a lot.
elgatosucio 4 months ago
In the previous vibrato video you talked about the flexibility of your first knuckle. I was wondering though, how far back is your knuckle going to be rocking when you do it faster? Does the exageration of the finger motion change at all when your doing fast vibrato? Because I'm having a lot of trouble with that, expecially on my third finger.
padfoot92 5 months ago
@padfoot92 The knuckle still has a generous amount of movement when going faster. The trick is developing the flexibility. Practice by starting the vibrato without any finger pressure, and slowly add pressure (10%..20%..etc.. over the course of weeks) until you still have that flexibility in the knuckle but you have the string almost fully pressed down. I am preparing to do some slow motion close-up vibrato videos. I'll post them on my channel when they're finished.
violinlab 5 months ago
vibrato is basically the shift of pitch, and we do this by moving pressure from our finger tip to our finger "palm" correct? But what if our instrument is shaking slightly? is the vibrato completely wrong?
darkworld97 5 months ago
@darkworld97 Usually, the "shaking" violin is caused by too much pressure with the thumb, and often between the thumb and the inside of the first finger. Yet, because the vibrato is such a large movement (and should be to be effective) it is natural that there is a pull/tug with the neck of the violin. When the thumb is relaxed, something else happens: the wiggly skin is the "shock absorber" for the movement. It moves and the violin doesn't.
violinlab 5 months ago
@violinlab thanks for the tip now i can vibrato faster with my relaxed thumb and do it better.
darkworld97 5 months ago
Omgosh my fingers hurt!!!!
heathersvan 5 months ago
ma'am, if i exercise vibrato daily, how many months would it take to perform it perfectly?
iramor 7 months ago
@iramor Of course, it will vary. The fastest I ever saw a student "get" a respectable vibrato was 6 weeks. On average, if you really did seriously practice for at least 20 minutes of vibrato exercises a day, then I would estimate 2 to 4 months.
violinlab 7 months ago
Hmmm any chance of a C string special vid for viola players on vibrato? Especially in 4th and 5th position? 4th finger vibrato is murder at that point. Thanks for your website really helpful. (although i need to lower it a fifth)
5that1dude5 7 months ago
Thank you so much, your website is so wonderful and with lots of info and details that my teacher did not tell me about. Seriously the best violin website I visited so far.. thumbs up!
youtubbag 8 months ago
I love you, Beth!
anvilofaugust 10 months ago
I tense up too much (especially my arm) when trying to do vibrato. And I try to relax, it's so hard. Any ideas?
gudlife008 1 year ago
@gudlife008 It sounds like you're using arm exclusively. The best and most relaxed vibratos have some element of wrist motion, as well as movement in the knuckles. It's very hard to undo tension. I think it would be beneficial to start incorporating wrist motion into your vibrato technique, and although it may not sound appealing, my best suggestion is to start all over with the exercises. I have a 12 part vibrato training series at Violin Lab (dot com) if you have a chance to check it out.
violinlab 1 year ago
thak u very much
vinodjbezalel 1 year ago
Is it okay if the top section of my thumb does not touch the neck of my fiddle, while the lower section of my thumb (if you will) is the one "supporting" the neck?
melodel2 1 year ago
@melodel2 If your hand is small, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. As long as you're not "clenching" the neck in any way, you can make it work. I do have videos on the subject at Violin Lab if you care to google..
violinlab 1 year ago
I reallywant to join =) though it seems there is a payment??
Antreidez 1 year ago
I love your videos! I apprciate all of it! because you provide such great knowledge and you are a big big BIG help! !
I am a hobby player and I study the violin at my own pace, however because of the way how you explain the complexity and difficult things about the violin it made me understand it much easier, showing me the true meaning of playing =)
I hope if you have time, wi you watch my video too? and comment on my playing so i can learn more! I Thank you so much!! =D Keep it up!
Antreidez 1 year ago 2
@Antreidez Thank you for your kind words. I have a website called Violin Lab (you can google the name) where if you join, you can post videos on our community page. I give feedback and post video responses with advice and practice tips. I would love for you to join us.
violinlab 1 year ago
life saver! =)
TheMikaylaAnderson 1 year ago
it's VI-BRATO.
not vai brato. vih-brato .VIH
xxmarjoryxx16 1 year ago
@xxmarjoryxx16 Both pronunciations are correct.
JohnnyStreets 1 year ago 6
@xxmarjoryxx16 Vaibrato, vihbrato, tamayto, tomahto. Same damn thing. She pronounces it how she pronounces it, get over yourself.
Anonyfication 1 year ago 7
@Anonyfication chill.
JackInMilwaukeeWI 1 month ago
@xxmarjoryxx16 its called an accent >.>
Boogers242171 1 year ago
Hi congratulation for your support in helpilg beginners and amateurs from all over the world ( I guess). Thank you.
ruuditalien 1 year ago
Thanks a lot from Barcelona greats lessons!!!
CEMMGTV 1 year ago
this is very helpful! my wrist often goes stiff when i use my biceps and it's frustrating when i can't produce a fast and wide' vibrato... thanks for the lesson!!
choieevon 1 year ago