Hey i've just started vibrato on the Violin and i was wondering if you guyes had any tips on how to do it properly. I find that sometimes when i do it, it comes naturally but other times my violin starts shaking and i find it quite strange. Is this normal? lol

Susan

Yup, I reckon that's normal. It is now a matter of control, and in my experience making sure you don't tense up your left hand and wrist. Just keep practising for a few minutes each day, but not too much.

it may be "normal" but it is not good. the only thing that should be shaking is your lower arm. People say virbrato can be done vibrating the lower arm, the wrist, or just the finger, but the sweetest sound comes from using the lower arm.

The way I learned this was to tape a six inch (or 15 cm) ruler straight across from the middle of your palm to your wrist. Then with your finger firmly planted on your virbrato note, slowly move your arm back and forth. This will keep you from getting into a habit of bending your wrist. Make sure that only your finger is pressing the neck (not the insides of your metatarsal joints), so that your violin will not shake.

Also, practice vibrating at different speeds, because slower virbrato is appropriate many times.

Ok, thanks then Matthew, will try it out.
Susan

It is pretty normal. Once you practice it a bit more it won't happen as often and you will get a better sound.

This article is written for a cello vibrato but it might help a little bit.

http://www.stringsmagazine.com/issues/stri...strings101.html

Lol I get that too!! Some days I feel like I can do it well and other days I just can't lol. I'm trying to learn it I think practice is the key though... so I guess I'd better get practising! Good luck with the violin!

With vibrato it is vital you relax. Relaxation in the left shoulder, the arm, the wrist and even the fingers. Tension in the fingers - and a death grip on the neck of the violin with your thumb - will lead to a somewhat "strangled" vibrato and the violin moving backwards and forwards with your hand.

With many students it is usually a subconscious gripping of the violin neck and general tension that causes the problems. This can stem from the fact that players feel they will to drop the violin if they don't hang onto it. Placing the scroll against the wall, before doing vibrato, adds support and can often act as an aid to releasing the tension.

Not many players realise that it needs quite a bit of strength in the left shoulder to hold the violin steady and securely, but without clamping it like it was in a vice. It's more a case of a gentle balancing act where the shoulder remains free and relaxed, but has sufficient strength to hold the right amount of pressure to keep the violin still when using vibrato.