Hi,
I'm doing my grade 4 violin exam, and my grade 6 flute, i was wondering if anyone knows whether i will need to use vibrato for either of these exams? And, if so, does anyone have any ways to make it easier because i cant do them!

Hi, I'm doing my Grade 4 violin exam too and I'm struggling with vibrato. I can do it on single notes but can't put it into a piece - I can't seem to move my wrist correctly. Apparently though you don't have to use vibrato for Grade 4, however it looks better if you do. You definitely don't need it for scales.

Cool, we're doing the same grade, what pieces are you playing? Im doing gigue whihc i quite like, waltz which i think is a bit boring but its better than the others, and im doing the shostakovich (sp) at the back (i forget what its called) i love the harmonics! although i find when i have to use my 4 thfinger for A on D string, or E on A string, i cant stretch it far enough!

There's a technique for learning vibrato - pretty infallible, but it takes a few weeks to learn and it can't really be written - it has to be demonstrated. Any violin teacher teaching to Grade 4 and certainly to Grade 5 should know this technique. Tell them to find it out and teach it to you!

i didnt use any vibrato for my grade 4 because i couldnt do it!! i kept shaking the whole violin and looked like a right muppet!!i didnt use it in the exam and didnt get marked down on it-i failed on other things!!!

I'm guessing you will need to demonstrate vibrato on flute (I'm pretty sure your exams are roughly the same as the ones in Australia). As Violinia said, you'll have to have it demonstrated to you by your teacher, or at least listen to a whole stack of recordings of pro players. There are a few different accepted ways to do vibrato on woodwinds, some of which I think are good, and others not so. It ends up being your or your teacher's preference.
It will probably be easier for you to pick it up on flute, as it's just another way of controling your breath. I'd be surprised if you weren't already doing it to some extent - it's usually part of a naturally good flute sound, which you undoubtedly have if you're at this level.
Good luck!

The trick to vibrato is to hold the violin really strongly with your chin, not your hand! If you rely on your hand to support the violin, you will never get a good vibrato.

You have to use the muscles in your chin to hold the violin in place and counteract the movement of your finger to produce the vibrato.

LOL - I was always useless at it also - but I do know the theory!! One reason why I chanegd to piano after Grade 6!!

Hi, I'm doing Scottich Brawl, La Cinquantaine and Stormy Weather - Stormy Weather is really hard though as it goes from first to third to second position within a few bars. I have to do harmonics in La Cinquantaine - I've been told to slide up to it though and it's not then so difficult. Keep me posted on how you're doing and good luck!