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Vibrato - Do you vibrate on the pitch and below or with the correct pitch somewhere in the middle?
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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
February 4, 2011 - 1:06 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
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I learned at an early age that the ear registers the highest tone reached on a vibrating note and have always based my intonation on this theory. I have also spoken to musicians who feel that the correct pitch should be in the center of the vibrato. Opinions seem to differ. What are your thoughts on this and why?

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Oliver
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March 29, 2011 - 7:43 pm
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One vote for below pitch.  I have heard centered vibrato that sounded horrible.  Maybe however the vibrato was just too wide to begin with.

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fiddlefaddle

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March 30, 2011 - 3:37 pm
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Third vote for the pitch and below.

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Mouse
March 6, 2023 - 2:09 pm
Member Since: December 26, 2018
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Since vibrato was mentioned a little while ago, I thought I would bump this topic from 2011 up for discussion.

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Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Gordon Shumway
London, England
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March 7, 2023 - 4:13 am
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do what sounds right.

if scientific instruments tell you you are doing something you didn't expect, keep doing what sounds right.

if the instruments tell you you vibrato below the note, don't consciously vibrato below the note or you will just be flat.

when you get good you can aim your vibrato upwards if you are flat or downwards if you are sharp

when you get better you can do subtler things

i'll be typing with my left hand for at least a day due to a surgical procedure  on my right hand

Andrew

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Mouse
March 7, 2023 - 7:22 am
Member Since: December 26, 2018
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I know I have to get vibrato down, there are some places where I wish I could do it, or do it better, I have tried. I have an easier time on my cello than viola or violin. My ledt hand is not as contorted. 

But, it was mentioned to me, briefly, in violin lessons. I was told to start below the note and rock towards the note. There was something else that she said where you start high and then go low to the note. Trill, maybe? I don't remember, not important for this topic.

Well, my intonation was already really bad, and I was now concentrating on flat notes! Was not good. I think when my intonation gets better, I will try again. I would like to be able to do a little vibrato.

So sorry about your hand, Gordon. I thought your post looked like you were typing with the other hand. The letters were all slanted differently! Seriously, I hope you mend quickly. I know that for the most part, my left hand is of no help.

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The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Gordon Shumway
London, England
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March 7, 2023 - 9:19 am
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Getting intonation down is more important than getting vibrato down.

You will often see checklists for vibrato and one requirement is don't do it until your intonation is perfect.

Capital letters - my right hand is starting to feel better, and I'm touch-typing again.

Rule number 1 in music - do what sounds right.

Andrew

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Mouse
March 7, 2023 - 11:08 am
Member Since: December 26, 2018
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Thanks, Gordon. I was wondering if it was being introduced too soon at the time it was introduced. Wise words,

Everything I ever read about vibrato said it was to be done after intonation. I think it was another instance of an instructor not paying attention to the fact that it was an adult learner, willing to take it as slow as needed to get the basics, not a younger student that would probably pick it up more quickly. It not only did not sound right, but to me, it did not feel right, for some reason. I think it was going against my attempts to get the fingering in the mark. I don't play with vibrato much on the violin or viola. Some day ...

Glad your hand is doing better.

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The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Jim Dunleavy
United Kingdom
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March 7, 2023 - 11:53 am
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One thing to bear in mind - what it feels like you're doing isn't necessarily what you are actually doing.

Where is the vibrato generally centred on synths I wonder.

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