The vibrato is an expressive tool to project the character or mood of a note or a phrase.

Practice both arm and wrist vibrato.

Choose which speed and which amplitude projects the character of the music best.

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Place left wrist at the rib of the violin.

Place first finger on top of the violin.

Place your thumb on the left side of the violin neck.

Use a wrist motion to roll your finger tip up and down.

MM = 60

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Put hand in 1st position.

Place an orange between your wrist and violin.

With metronome at 60, repeat Vibrato Exercise - Beginner 1.

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Vibrato is always below pitch.

The highest point of the vibrato motion is the correct pitch.

Practice an amplitude of an entire half step.

Practice an amplitude of a quarter step or less.

MM = 60

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Use an arm motion for wrist vibrato in high positions.

Since the physical distance of intervals becomes very small in high positions, your arm vibrato motion has to be narrow.

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Use the metronome number notated in the score.

Practice 3, 4 and 5 vibrations per beat.

Remember which speed you like best for the character you want.

Use that speed in performance.

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Start a slow vibrato and speed it up gradually.

Determine the speed which appeals to you.

Maintaining that speed, try different amplitudes and choose one you like.

Change the speed and/or amplitude when you want to change the character of the sound.

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Practice this speed pattern within each vibrato motion:

Move down from the pitch slowly.

Roll your finger up to the pitch with a fast motion.

Listen for a small vibrato accent every time you reach the correct pitch.

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Violin, Stephanie Zyzak

Piano, Ina Ham

Violin, Tessa Lark

Piano, Ina Ham