Hi everyone. I am coming up to grade 5 flute next March. One of the pieces I have chosen is Dance of the Blessed Spirits. Have just bought a CD of James Galway, and I am thinking, have I chosen wisely. I have no vibrato! My teacher says it will come with time. Where do they come from, what exactly is it??
She said I have a throat wobble sometimes, but not to do that as it can hurt after a while and is not a proper vibrato. Can any of you flute players ahead of moi offer any advice please.
Thanks. The Old Lady.

First things first, not to slag of James Galway, but he does always use A LOT of vibrato on most things. I like to think that 'Dance of the Blessed Spirits' should be a little plainer and a bit mroe subtle than Sir James plays it, though of course that is my opinion!!!!!

Vibrato comes from the diaphragm not the throat. Your teacher is right, you'll hurt your throat if you continue this way. Put a metronome of crotchet = 60................if you haven't got a metronome, that means one crotchet per second. Play a nice easy note, an A for isntance. Play a long note, and try and pulse with your diaphragm every second/click of the metronome. It's a quick pull in of the muscles to produce a quick burst of air. When you can do this successfully, go on to pulsing on quavers, eg, two every click/second. Then when you can do this, onto quaver triplets, then semiquavers etc. You'll gradually get the hang of it. I hope this helps to begin with. If I've not made sense, write back and IU'll explain clearer!!!!