This was very helpful. You might consider making a DVD with your vibrato tutorials somewhat expanded, along with exercises performed long enough to allow the student to play or follow along on their own violin. There is only one vibrato DVD that I know about and the segments are too short to be really helpful. I would purchase such a product. Either that or the camera doesn't focus on the hand long enough at a time to really "get it." Thanks for the tutorials.
No, you shouldn't have a left hand position for vibrating and another when you do not vibrate. That said, there is not a single position of the left hand. What string you're playing on, the speed of the passage, whether you are playing double stops - all these factors and others will determine how one positions the left hand. Also, all players have different anatomies! Be sure that you are not excessively twisting the left hand around to the fingerboard. Find a position that feels good. DB
Brickman Truth #1: Violin playing feels GREAT! Make this your top priority as you practice. Actively seek this. You'll play better, learn faster, last longer, and love it more.
That vibrato basics videos are awesome. You really know how to explain this... And your advice that practice every day 5 mins really worked to me!!!! Thanks very much...
I don't know what I can do for you other than to offer the videos I've posted and to remind you that it takes patience and daily practice to learn vibrato. Stick with it. It was hard for me to learn too.
I have been playing stringed instruments for 3 years; 3 years for violin, 2 years for viola. I cannot vibrato on any of them, and it's very discouraging every time I try. I have had 3 different teachers try to teach me vibrato, and all of them failed. One was a famous viola player from Germany. He taught all of his students perfectly, except me. My hand wants to go side to side. It produces a nice vibrato, but it is the wrong form. I understand my hand needs to go front to back. Can you help me?
I finally understand how to do the wrist vibrato. I'm 12 and I've been playing for 4 years and I really wanted to learn the vibrato. The only trouble I'm having is to get the hang of rolling my fingers back. But I'm going to practice it more.
But thank you for posting these videos! Very helpful.
This is awesome. I just started playing violin about a month ago and I'm learning to play that piece "Long, Long Ago" that you played at the end. It's interesting that you considered it sad, because I have the tendency to play it fast and happily. That's the magic of music: Every has their own take.
I feel like my fingers dont move. they are too stiff and act like a robot. i have to FORCE them to do the vibrato, which makes it sound a bit wierd. Got any tips on how to soften up and to get my wrist more "moveable"/flexible?
I would guess from your description that you are "locked up" somewhere. Are you squeezing the neck/fingerboard with your left thumb/fingers? Another likely culprit is your left shoulder. Is it raised unnecessarily high? If so this could "transmit" tension through the whole arm and limit your mobility. Perhaps you need to look into your basic way of holding the fiddle. Maybe a shoulder pad (or change of pad) is the answer.
i just have one question that i hope you'll answer for me :] To me, slow vibrato (e.g. when i have to sustain the vibrato for long notes) is really hard to maintain. it's erratic and i get tired really quickly. on the other hand, fast vibrato (on the short notes)is really easy to execute. i was wondering if this is a normal occurrence.
I think many people will agree that maintaining a vibrato in, say, a slow movement, can be tiring - especially if the music requires great intensity. Your observation that your vibrato is erratic suggests that you might need to do some basic vibrato exercises such as those I describe in my videos. You should also examine your stance and posture with special attention on your left shoulder. If you are raising the left shoulder excessively you are probably introducing tension and thus fatigue.
Vibrato, like all movements of the body, requires muscular effort. It sounds like you've been tightening up to get the movement you need and this is the wrong approach. The vibrato motion is relaxed and controlled. Relaxed, but not utterly effortless.
I think you have a point, though one can do a slow wrist vibrato or a fast arm vibrato. I believe that a wrist vibrato is more efficient; it takes less energy to move the hand than to move the hand and forearm.
I've been playing the violin for only two years now and I really want to do vibrato except I've watched all of your videos and have been practcing everyday. should i give it a couple years until I try learning vibrato?
Your basic left hand position and technique must be in order before you begin working on vibrato. This is hard to evaluate oneself. Do you have a teacher?
You seem to have good proficiency with the violin. I cant help noticing that the A string is not in proper tune relative to the E string. Is that right or is it a sound illusion?
I've played the violin before, and I am going to be playing again soon. I've been looking on youtube to brush up on some old skills. Your tuorials have really helped me remember!! Thank you very much!!
Sir, I've been attempting to produce vibrato, and I've been having trouble with the wrist vibrato. I can't seem to make my wrist coordinated with my hand, and I've found it very hard and somewhat painful to roll my finger. When I try to roll it, it makes very sudden joint movements that is slow and somewhat painful. What can I do for help with wrist and hand coordination? Is there anything
I'm confused by your description of "very sudden moments" that are "slow". Without seeing your efforts, two thoughts come to mind. 1. Perhaps you are squeezing the fingerboard. 2. You have some medical issue which causes pain in the joint. Good luck, DB
I may have called it 'painful', but it's only slight. I think that my problem may be that I am pushing too hard on the fingerboard. I meant, 'slow' by the sense that I can't get it to move quickly in the fact that I may be pushing too hard.
OUTSTANDING!! the best treatment of vibrato I have ever seen. Great DETAIL. THANK YOU. I am making a vibrato kind of sound, but my fingertip is more or lesson moving straight up and down very subtly. Is this not a true vibrato, or a bad vibrato? Or is it a bad habit I should stop? DO other beginners do this?
If your finger is moving up and down you are probably not vibrating correctly. Vibrato is a change in pitch, so the finger must roll from the primary pitch, below the pitch (towards the scroll), and back.
Okay, so I actually had the right idea...thank you for clearing that up for me...I was fearing that my lack of hand movement was bad...apparently not...
...but the video did help...I was taught vibrato wrong...I was taught it was a shaking of the hand, not the rolling of the finger...much clearer now...
Good question. My camera is primarily a still camera and only records short videos. I thought initially that the limit was one minute, but I have since learned that it is longer. I do like the short format, but I will most likely post somewhat longer videos in the future.
Lol i see.. Btw i think i hav some problems with my vibrato.. when i do my vibrato i hardly see any much movement at my wrist or the arm.. most of the movement comes from the finger and it seems like im just moving the finger back and forth.. is this the right way or am i doing it the wrong way? If its wrong, are there ways to correct it? With the method of vibrato im using now i find it hard to achieve a vibrato on the 2nd and 3rd finger .. HELP!!
You needn't see tons of movement in the arm or wrist; the rolling fingertip is what is important. Are you getting the sound you want? Imitate the videos and be patient. It takes most people weeks or months to begin getting the hang of vibrato on the violin. A few minutes DAILY will yield results.
Thanks you - I'm just starting out and have a little natural vibrato from playing the guitar but it's not quite the same and this really helps!
MySoulNeedsMusic 2 years ago
this seems excellent! i shall try it!
pigdoody 2 years ago
This was very helpful. You might consider making a DVD with your vibrato tutorials somewhat expanded, along with exercises performed long enough to allow the student to play or follow along on their own violin. There is only one vibrato DVD that I know about and the segments are too short to be really helpful. I would purchase such a product. Either that or the camera doesn't focus on the hand long enough at a time to really "get it." Thanks for the tutorials.
leahdd110955 2 years ago
Glad you found the video useful. Thanks for the ideas too.
DB
PlayMyPiece 2 years ago
this was so helpful!
allypieXx 2 years ago
A question!
Do you turn your palm more perpendicular to the strings when vibrating?
I just can't manage to roll my fingers while aligning them with the strings.
I come from guitar playing and have no problems producing the same movements on my guitar.But not on my violin!
Thanks
babai2345 2 years ago
No, you shouldn't have a left hand position for vibrating and another when you do not vibrate. That said, there is not a single position of the left hand. What string you're playing on, the speed of the passage, whether you are playing double stops - all these factors and others will determine how one positions the left hand. Also, all players have different anatomies! Be sure that you are not excessively twisting the left hand around to the fingerboard. Find a position that feels good. DB
PlayMyPiece 2 years ago
That's a really valuable tip, thanks!
I do have a tendency of bluntly copying other players until the pain comes:))
babai2345 2 years ago
Brickman Truth #1: Violin playing feels GREAT! Make this your top priority as you practice. Actively seek this. You'll play better, learn faster, last longer, and love it more.
PlayMyPiece 2 years ago
That vibrato basics videos are awesome. You really know how to explain this... And your advice that practice every day 5 mins really worked to me!!!! Thanks very much...
TranceMasterXXX 2 years ago
I'm so glad the videos were helpful!
DB
PlayMyPiece 2 years ago
thank u for your tutorial :)
i've been playing violin for years and i still can't do vibrato, i shall practice more often,
ladyziev 3 years ago
Dear Stylemechic,
I don't know what I can do for you other than to offer the videos I've posted and to remind you that it takes patience and daily practice to learn vibrato. Stick with it. It was hard for me to learn too.
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
I have been playing stringed instruments for 3 years; 3 years for violin, 2 years for viola. I cannot vibrato on any of them, and it's very discouraging every time I try. I have had 3 different teachers try to teach me vibrato, and all of them failed. One was a famous viola player from Germany. He taught all of his students perfectly, except me. My hand wants to go side to side. It produces a nice vibrato, but it is the wrong form. I understand my hand needs to go front to back. Can you help me?
stylemechic 3 years ago
Thank you so much.
I finally understand how to do the wrist vibrato. I'm 12 and I've been playing for 4 years and I really wanted to learn the vibrato. The only trouble I'm having is to get the hang of rolling my fingers back. But I'm going to practice it more.
But thank you for posting these videos! Very helpful.
SimplyxHaley 3 years ago
This is awesome. I just started playing violin about a month ago and I'm learning to play that piece "Long, Long Ago" that you played at the end. It's interesting that you considered it sad, because I have the tendency to play it fast and happily. That's the magic of music: Every has their own take.
Thanks for posting this video.
Lefty6409 3 years ago
Lefty,
Thanks for sharing your response to "Long, Long Ago". Maybe the piece is bittersweet...
DB
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
thanxs so much for posting these videos, really great man
marciojeferson 3 years ago
I feel like my fingers dont move. they are too stiff and act like a robot. i have to FORCE them to do the vibrato, which makes it sound a bit wierd. Got any tips on how to soften up and to get my wrist more "moveable"/flexible?
danedaworld 3 years ago
I would guess from your description that you are "locked up" somewhere. Are you squeezing the neck/fingerboard with your left thumb/fingers? Another likely culprit is your left shoulder. Is it raised unnecessarily high? If so this could "transmit" tension through the whole arm and limit your mobility. Perhaps you need to look into your basic way of holding the fiddle. Maybe a shoulder pad (or change of pad) is the answer.
Good luck,
DB
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
thanks for your videos :]
i just have one question that i hope you'll answer for me :] To me, slow vibrato (e.g. when i have to sustain the vibrato for long notes) is really hard to maintain. it's erratic and i get tired really quickly. on the other hand, fast vibrato (on the short notes)is really easy to execute. i was wondering if this is a normal occurrence.
thanks for the help!
tehmockingbird 3 years ago
I think many people will agree that maintaining a vibrato in, say, a slow movement, can be tiring - especially if the music requires great intensity. Your observation that your vibrato is erratic suggests that you might need to do some basic vibrato exercises such as those I describe in my videos. You should also examine your stance and posture with special attention on your left shoulder. If you are raising the left shoulder excessively you are probably introducing tension and thus fatigue.
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
oh i see. thanks for the advice!
tehmockingbird 3 years ago
Vibrato, like all movements of the body, requires muscular effort. It sounds like you've been tightening up to get the movement you need and this is the wrong approach. The vibrato motion is relaxed and controlled. Relaxed, but not utterly effortless.
Good luck,
DB
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
So fast vibrato requires no tension in the arm or the wrist?
I've been twitching so much to create the pitch-altering affect that it's hard to change (never had a private teacher)
Aznfury21 3 years ago
do u know any place where i can find info on how to do arm vibrato for cello?
hwuman 3 years ago
Dear hwuman,
It's always best to find a private teacher. As a distant second look to books or online sources, such as videos on YouTube.
Best,
DB
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
Is arm vibrato more useful with slow vibrato, and wrist with fast vibrato? Or is it merely a personal preference?
21everyday 3 years ago
I think you have a point, though one can do a slow wrist vibrato or a fast arm vibrato. I believe that a wrist vibrato is more efficient; it takes less energy to move the hand than to move the hand and forearm.
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
I've been playing the violin for only two years now and I really want to do vibrato except I've watched all of your videos and have been practcing everyday. should i give it a couple years until I try learning vibrato?
xXjadeXxnicoleXx 3 years ago
Your basic left hand position and technique must be in order before you begin working on vibrato. This is hard to evaluate oneself. Do you have a teacher?
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
I am in a school orchestra with about thirty other kids.
xXjadeXxnicoleXx 3 years ago
It would be helpful to have private lessons. Violin is a hard instrument and most people find learning vibrato to be quite tricky. Good luck!
PlayMyPiece 3 years ago
oh... so the 'vibrato' i've been doing was wrong... mine was like the guitar vibrato... O_O
fullmetalfan018 3 years ago
I found it impossible to do vibrato until I got a shoulder rest.
lahelion 4 years ago
do we have to go down the principal pitch and back again or up?
sheralikhushk 4 years ago
Always go down from the principal pitch. If you vibrate above the principal pitch you will sound sharp.
PlayMyPiece 4 years ago
You seem to have good proficiency with the violin. I cant help noticing that the A string is not in proper tune relative to the E string. Is that right or is it a sound illusion?
robertosexar 4 years ago
I don't hear that.
PlayMyPiece 4 years ago
your first song is the one i am playing as my solo, it is fun right?
sun281jon 4 years ago
I've played the violin before, and I am going to be playing again soon. I've been looking on youtube to brush up on some old skills. Your tuorials have really helped me remember!! Thank you very much!!
youaintpertty 4 years ago
man I have a violin and I can play good but I'm really having trouble with vibrato. But thanks Nice video.
ARXANGEL07 4 years ago
thanks for the great video, please make more...
slappedchimp 4 years ago
Sir, I've been attempting to produce vibrato, and I've been having trouble with the wrist vibrato. I can't seem to make my wrist coordinated with my hand, and I've found it very hard and somewhat painful to roll my finger. When I try to roll it, it makes very sudden joint movements that is slow and somewhat painful. What can I do for help with wrist and hand coordination? Is there anything
I'm doing wrong with my rolls?
Thank you.
Seth225 4 years ago
Seth225,
I'm confused by your description of "very sudden moments" that are "slow". Without seeing your efforts, two thoughts come to mind. 1. Perhaps you are squeezing the fingerboard. 2. You have some medical issue which causes pain in the joint. Good luck, DB
PlayMyPiece 4 years ago
It's a bit hard to describe. . .
I may have called it 'painful', but it's only slight. I think that my problem may be that I am pushing too hard on the fingerboard. I meant, 'slow' by the sense that I can't get it to move quickly in the fact that I may be pushing too hard.
Seth225 4 years ago
are you a teacher? just curious :)
fbandit007 4 years ago
Yes.
PlayMyPiece 4 years ago
cool. thanks for your help!
fbandit007 4 years ago
That was really helpful. Thanks so much!!!
famousgirl62895 4 years ago
OUTSTANDING!! the best treatment of vibrato I have ever seen. Great DETAIL. THANK YOU. I am making a vibrato kind of sound, but my fingertip is more or lesson moving straight up and down very subtly. Is this not a true vibrato, or a bad vibrato? Or is it a bad habit I should stop? DO other beginners do this?
rebeccagirl1969 4 years ago
If your finger is moving up and down you are probably not vibrating correctly. Vibrato is a change in pitch, so the finger must roll from the primary pitch, below the pitch (towards the scroll), and back.
DB
PlayMyPiece 4 years ago
THANKS. I was afraid of that. I have already started following through on practicing according to your recommendations. THanks.
rebeccagirl1969 4 years ago
Okay, so I actually had the right idea...thank you for clearing that up for me...I was fearing that my lack of hand movement was bad...apparently not...
...but the video did help...I was taught vibrato wrong...I was taught it was a shaking of the hand, not the rolling of the finger...much clearer now...
ani56master 4 years ago
Very well done!! But why do u wanna split it into 8 parts when u can put it together into one?
lamelamez 4 years ago
Good question. My camera is primarily a still camera and only records short videos. I thought initially that the limit was one minute, but I have since learned that it is longer. I do like the short format, but I will most likely post somewhat longer videos in the future.
PlayMyPiece 4 years ago
Lol i see.. Btw i think i hav some problems with my vibrato.. when i do my vibrato i hardly see any much movement at my wrist or the arm.. most of the movement comes from the finger and it seems like im just moving the finger back and forth.. is this the right way or am i doing it the wrong way? If its wrong, are there ways to correct it? With the method of vibrato im using now i find it hard to achieve a vibrato on the 2nd and 3rd finger .. HELP!!
lamelamez 4 years ago
You needn't see tons of movement in the arm or wrist; the rolling fingertip is what is important. Are you getting the sound you want? Imitate the videos and be patient. It takes most people weeks or months to begin getting the hang of vibrato on the violin. A few minutes DAILY will yield results.
DB
PlayMyPiece 4 years ago
you're a very good teacher ...
allwinters 4 years ago 2
Thank you! Very helpful!
ddw5473 4 years ago
at least someone knows how to do this!
narutofire2000 4 years ago
Thank-you very much!! This was very helpful - make more videos!!
Great job!!!
pinkgirl4321 4 years ago
Million Thanx , drop us some more tips please...!!!
head30head 4 years ago
gracias
shirayukiasuka 4 years ago