How to do Vibrato on the Violin | Violin Lounge TV #302
This short video is filled with exercises to learn a beautiful vibrato on the violin. Enjoy!
Vibrato is one of the most important tools of expression on the violin
It’s so interesting to play with vibrato and discover different sound colors. You can adjust your vibrato to the music you make, the story you want to tell and the emotions you want to express.
What is vibrato and what is it NOT?
You don’t want to slide, pinch or shake. Vibrato is rolling over your finger tip, so you change the pitch up and down by lengthening and shortening the vibrating string. Sounds and looks easy, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately it takes quite some effort to develop a good vibrato. The good news is that with the right exercises you can learn it too!
How long does it take to learn vibrato on the violin?
It takes certainly 10 weeks of daily practice to develop a basic vibrato. The consistency of your practice is key, even if it’s just a couple of minutes a day. It takes one to two years to perfect your vibrato and be able to adjust it to the music you make.
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Hi! I'm Zlata
Classical violinist helping you overcome technical struggles and play with feeling by improving your bow technique.
Exercises to learn vibrato on the violin
1) Big Siren
Start doing this exercise without the bow and add bowing later. When you do, try to maintain the bow flow while doing this exercise. Your left and right hand should be able to move independently.
In the big siren you slide your finger over de whole string, like I demonstrate in the video above. Fluent round movements with relaxed arm, wrist and fingers are key here. Do this with every combination of string and finger.
2) Small Siren
Make the big siren movement smaller and smaller until you can keep your thumb in the same place. This is the small siren. Only proceed to this exercise when the movement is really fluent and regular. When you perform the small siren in the fourth or fifth position, it can be a bit easier as you have support from the violin.
If you notice tension, go back to the big siren. Don’t rush it. Go back and forth until you really get it right.
3) Work towards a real vibrato
Make the small siren movement smaller and smaller until you can leave your finger tip in the same spot and roll over your finger tip. Now you can have a vibrato sound. Maybe the tempo is still to low or it’s not regular, but you can work on that later.
You can practice the vibrato movement with the violin or your lap. Also you can train your finger by placing it on the soundboard. You can also do this on the table, so you can practice vibrato anywhere you want.
4) Practice vibrato with a metronome
Start with 4 vibrato movements a beat at 60 beats per minute. Only speed it up if you have a good quality vibrato. Once you are at 100 beats per minute, you have full control over your vibrato.
I’d love to teach you more!
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Share in the comments below how your vibrato is developing!
Thanks for this! I’m still struggling with the first and fourth fingers!
Any suggestions for helping with the 1st and 4th fingers? Those are still so awkward!
Yes, they are most difficult!
Here’s a video on first finger vibrato: https://violinlounge.com/vibrato-first-finger-violin-lounge-tv-238/
Here’s a video on fourth finger or pinky vibrato: https://violinlounge.com/5-tips-on-how-to-do-vibrato-with-your-pinky-on-the-violin-or-viola/
Here’s a general video on left hand finger independence that might be useful too: https://violinlounge.com/loosen-left-hand-fingers-move-independently-violin-lounge-tv-233/
Let me know in the comments if they are useful to you and if you have further questions! Happy practicing!
hi, when i rolling the fingers, my thumb cant hold the violin stable, if i use my thumb hold it stable, then my fingers cant do the rolling motion… May I know how to stable the violin with the thumb?
Sure, let me know if this video is helpful!
That makes it a lot clearer and easier to learn 🙂
Happy it’s helpful, Wim!