How to play vibrato on the violin

Learn the easy way to vibrato

In this video, Lora approaches vibrato with clear and useful tips that are sure to be helpful whether or not you already know vibrato. Lora gives you advice to improve your vibrato, and how to avoid long-term problems if the vibrato is performed the wrong way.

Released on July 3, 2013

DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.

Thank you for your comment, question or request!

Comment/Question deleted successfully.

Post a comment, question or special request:

Comments or questions must be between 3 and 10,000 characters long.

You may: Login  or  

Otherwise, fill out the form below to post your comment:

Add your name below:


Add your email below: (to receive replies, will not be displayed or shared)


For verification purposes, please enter the word MUSIC in the field below

---

---

Comments, Questions, Requests:

Eileen Sephton * VSM MEMBER * on March 7, 2016 @1:49 am PST

Very helpful, thank you.

Reply

Lora * VSM MEMBER * on December 1, 2016 @9:31 am PST

Thanks, Eileen!

Reply

Cheryl * VSM MEMBER * on November 5, 2014 @10:16 am PST

one question, how to continue vibrato from one note to another (during a passage), and how to continue vibrato through shifting.

Reply

Lora * VSM MEMBER * on November 9, 2014 @1:27 pm PST

I like to teach vibrato between 2 fingers only.....1.....2......1.....2...., when that is good, then I teach 2......3......2.......3......until eventually, you can pass the vibrato seemlessly between all 4 fingers. Vibrato on a shift.....wow, I never thought of that.....do you have any tricks for that?

Reply

Cheryl * VSM MEMBER * on November 9, 2014 @7:09 pm PST

If we have followed your advice to learn shifts with glissando, then perhaps the hand with be relaxed and allow vibrato...?

Reply

Lora * VSM MEMBER * on December 1, 2016 @9:31 am PST

Hi Cheryl,
I'm sitting here thinking....this is difficult to answer this question. In my mind's eye, as I feel myself shifting in a vibrato, I actually believe that I momentarily stop the vibrato, but as soon as my finger LANDS on the new note, it "reinvigorates" the vibrato, giving it a little more energy to really excite the new note. After practicing today, if this is any different, I will let you know! Thanks for a great, thoughtful question!

Reply

Cheryl * VSM MEMBER * on November 5, 2014 @10:12 am PST

Love the last bit, about violin shaking around, lots of players happen to do that!

Reply

Lora * VSM MEMBER * on November 9, 2014 @1:25 pm PST

Yes, it's a common problem, and not easy to fix...sometimes, it's just a matter of getting them to relax thee thumb.

Reply

Display more comments... (10 more)