Vibrato...

Chris98

Senior Member
1,023
I've been thinking about vibrato a bit lately, as you do...

You've got some players that caress the end of notes with a little, you've got players that splash it over everything as if it's ketchup, you've got some that use it so sparingly that it might be a fine malt whiskey, and some that don't use it at all... each to their own. Personally I've never been too happy with mine and I suspect it sounds like the after thought that it often is.

In an idle moment I was watching a masterclass with a classical guitarist, and he was explaining that vibrato speed should be dependent on the note being played. So if you've playing low Bb don't have the vibrato going too fast, and likewise if playing up high, speed it up otherwise the note sounds worried!

I have to confess to never thinking about it like that, and would say my vibrato is very much 45mph, a bit like some Sunday drivers, go into the 30 they do 45, get out onto a lovely open road where you can do 60, and they do 45!

Just mulling it over and would be interested in peoples' thoughts on this, if you have a moment.

All the best,

Chris
 
Like most things in life, it's good in moderation! Vibrato in the right place, at the right speed, can enhance a piece but vibrato overcooked or badly paced can be just plain annoying from a listening point of view. Stringed instruments seem somehow lifeless without well-executed vibrato but having failed dismally in all my efforts to get to grips with guitar and violin I hesitate to give an opinion which might smack of criticism.

Some reed players seem to have an instinctive feel for what is appropriate and it sounds fantastic. Others try to emulate this and fail dismally, making a piece sound laboured - perhaps the teachers amongst us can offer an opinion on the difficulty or otherwise of teaching this aspect of playing.

Chris has really set me thinking and I am going slightly doolally seeking a worried-sounding note! I'm sure this thread will run and run but hopefully at the right speed.

Dave
 
I believe that with some school of Classical Sax, a constant even vibrato is taught, which for me not expressing or adhering to the music at all. But then again i dont particularly like sax in a classical context, apart from some Soprano pieces. I believe vibrato is a personal thing, i can listen to Freddy Gardener who has a huge vibrato [ Sorry if i got the spelling wrong ] but dont like copycat versions of him. I suppose for a vibrato to sound good and convincing, it has to be felt by the player, and not a sort of add on. :shocked:
 
You can't have a thread on vibrato without mentioning Bechet.


So...



"Bechet"

He was one that I had in mind who could make a piece sound great but could not necessarily be copied without it sounding a bit like a dog's breakfast. I will confess to having tried to put a bit of vibrato into a piece when I thought I was alone in the house only to later realise I was not alone and to have my efforts likened to a flatulent duck! Things must be getting better then.

Dave
 

Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

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