- Posted January 13, 2002 Share Posted January 13, 2002 I recently got a violin and have been teaching myself how to play simple melodies with it. (I know, I know... I should probably get a few lessons when starting out... I may do that eventually, but not right now.) In any case, I'm OK with playing simple melodies... What I'm struggling with is vibrato. I've found a few tutorials on the net on violin vibrato, but what I can't figure out is... Is violin vibrato supposed to be like B.B. King's guitar vibrato (finger stays in one place, rocks back and forth in a circular motion as if it were trying to screw something in a wall) or is it supposed to be like you're polishing something (finger kinda stays in one place, but rocks parallel with the string)? And what happens with the thumb while playing vibrato? From the tutorials I've found, I guess you're supposed to hold the violin with pretty much your chin when you're doing vibrato (I'm able to do that), but I'm not sure how much support (if any) the thumb is supposed to have on the back of the neck while playing the note with vibrato. Since there's no violin forum, I figure this is the best place to ask... :) Thanks in advance for your help... [ 01-12-2002: Message edited by: popmusic ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big K Posted January 13, 2002 Share Posted January 13, 2002 sorry can't help on technique, but vibrado in genral I can somtime find annoying(when over done). something to try (this works VERY well for voise trumpet and trombone/tuba) is start the note pure and add/increase the vibrodo rate towards the end, or start fast and slow it down towand the end. works well on tannor sax as well. KILLER on ballads. sorry just my thoughs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Winer Posted January 13, 2002 Share Posted January 13, 2002 Pop, > What I'm struggling with is vibrato. Join the club. Vibrato on a violin is much more difficult than on a cello. I suggest you hop over to the Strings Magazine web chat group: http://www.stringsmagazine.com/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi Violin vibrato has been discussed there (the threads are probably still available), and if not you can ask again. --Ethan The acoustic treatment experts Ethan's Audio Expert Book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
- Posted January 13, 2002 Author Share Posted January 13, 2002 Thanks, Ethan! Will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted January 14, 2002 Share Posted January 14, 2002 Where guitar vibrato goes across the fretboard, a violin vibrato goes parallel to it. This is due to the fact that since a guitar has frets, doing a vibrato parallel to the fretboard won't have as much effect as going across it. But you can do it on a violin. Vibrato of any kind takes patience to master. Keep working at it! "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall Simmons Posted January 14, 2002 Share Posted January 14, 2002 here is a technique make a shaker out of rice and a film container. hold it in your left hand and curl your and around as if you are holding your violin. Now FROM THE WRIST shake it forward and backwards slowly and wide and go faster and tighter. this movement applies directly to the neck of the instrument except you keep you thumb pretty motionless and under the neck. Make sure you don't grip hard with your left hand and keep your left elbow tucked forward (towards the audience) vibrato is like a woman's first period... one day it just comes Marsh violist for 19 yrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botch. Posted January 14, 2002 Share Posted January 14, 2002 [quote]Originally posted by Marshall Simmons: [b]here is a technique make a shaker out of rice and a film container. hold it in your left hand and curl your and around as if you are holding your violin. Now FROM THE WRIST shake it forward and backwards slowly and wide and go faster and tighter. this movement applies directly to the neck of the instrument except you keep you thumb pretty motionless and under the neck. Make sure you don't grip hard with your left hand and keep your left elbow tucked forward (towards the audience) vibrato is like a woman's first period... one day it just comes Marsh violist for 19 yrs[/b][/quote] Thanks for the tip, Marsh, and thanks for the threat, Pop! I've been playing "fiddle" (as opposed to violin) for years but never use it on ballads as I have no vibrato technique; I'll be giving the above a try. Thanks again! Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will www.puddlestone.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
- Posted January 14, 2002 Author Share Posted January 14, 2002 [quote]Originally posted by botch@netutah.net: [b] Thanks for the tip, Marsh, and thanks for the threat, Pop! [/b][/quote] Yeah, my cat doesn't want to be anywhere near me when I start "playing"... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall Simmons Posted January 15, 2002 Share Posted January 15, 2002 i hope it helps ya out if you have any other questions, feel free to email me marsh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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