In this post, you'll learn about the differences between arm and wrist vibrato, if you need to know both, and the when to use each type.

What's the difference between arm and wrist vibrato?

At the end of the day, arm and wrist vibrato are both-well-vibrato! The difference is how you make your fingers roll back and forth on the string. Arm vibrato requires the player to move their elbow back and forth. This is the same movement that you would use to shift, just on a much smaller scale. Wrist vibrato requires the player to use their wrist as a hinge for the rest of the hand to move back and forth. In wrist vibrato, your wrist should not move! The wrist stays still but allows the hand to move back and forth. If this is something you're struggling with, try practicing wrist vibrato with your wrist against the instrument in 4th or 5th position. This will prevent your wrist from moving and help you learn proper wrist vibrato.

Do I need to know both arm and wrist vibrato?

Well, like many things with the violin, the answer is yes and no. I believe that one or the other, arm or wrist, comes more naturally to everyone. When I was learning vibrato for the very first time, my teacher was trying to teach me wrist vibrato and I was just not getting it! After many months of struggling, I tried arm vibrato, and that clicked almost instantly. I personally think that arm vibrato is easier because it involves moving a bigger muscle, but hey, that's just me! If you're a beginner, I strongly recommend trying both types at first and then focusing on developing the one that comes more naturally to you. Similarly, if you've tried one type of vibrato and it's just not clicking, try your hand at the other type (no pun intended!)

At the end of the day, both arm and wrist vibrato are just that-vibrato-and you should focus on fully developing one type first before even worrying about the other one. I only did arm vibrato for over 10 years, and was only able to do wrist vibrato after I had entered college. If you do not have aspirations to become a violin soloist or symphony musician, you do not need to know both types.

With that being said, knowing both types of vibrato is important for high level violinists. There are subtle differences between the two and they can each be used to further enhance your musicality.

When should I use arm vibrato?

Since the arm is a bigger muscle, it can move more than the wrist. Therefore, arm vibrato is ideal for passages that need a very wide and juicy vibrato. Arm vibrato is also generally slower than wrist vibrato. Romantic music, like that by Brahms and Tchaikovsky, would benefit most from arm vibrato.

When should I use wrist vibrato?

Since the wrist is a smaller muscle, it is easier to move very quickly. Therefore, wrist vibrato is ideal for passages that need an extremely fast vibrato. Wrist vibrato is also generally more narrow than arm vibrato. Impressionistic pieces, like those by Debussy and Ravel, would benefit most from wrist vibrato.