Vibrato on the Violin: How to Start (Even If You Feel Stiff or Shaky)

In this post, you'll learn how to start on your vibrato journey.

Before starting violin vibrato, there are several technical elements you need to have a good grasp on. This does not mean that they should be perfect, as we are always learning and improving virtually every aspect of our violin technique.

1. Posture
   If your posture is not correct and relaxed, everything suffers. It's important to maintain a relaxed and proper bow hold the majority of the time, being able to hold your violin tension and pain free for about 30-45 minutes, and a proper left hand frame.

2. Tone
   Before starting vibrato, you should be able to maintain a straight bow for the majority of the time. The bow should also stay in between the fingerboard and bridge; not slide around. You should also be able to create a solid, pleasing tone, not one that is scratchy or overly weak.

3. Intonation
   We are never finished working on intonation (I'm still working on it 25 years into my violin journey!) but you should be able to hear when you're out of tune and play in tune most of the time.

4. Shifting
   I personally advocate for learning shifting before vibrato, and the reason is very simple. When you learn to shift, you increase the number of notes you can play, which therefore increases the amount of pieces you can play. Vibrato, while beautiful, does not expand your repertoire; it just makes your current pieces more beautiful.

The length of time it will take to demonstrate these four techniques varies from person to person, and heavily depends on prior experience, age, and practice time, but you can expect it to take approximately 1-2 years.

The 3 core principles of vibrato

1. There are two types of vibrat: wrist and arm.
   While there are subtle differences between the two, you do not need to learn both, especially at the beginning. I believe that one or the other comes more naturally to everyone, so try both, but ultimately stick with the one that was easiest. Focus on one type until you've mastered it.

2. Vibrato is a backwards motion.
   Our ear picks up the highest pitch, so if your vibrato goes over the desired pitch, you will sound sharp.

3. When using vibrato, the points of contact in your hand change from 3 to 2.
   Up until this point, you have been touching the violin with your thumb, whatever fingers you're playing with, and the inside of your index finger. When doing vibrato, you will no longer touch the instrument with the inside of your index finger.

Finally, there are several preliminary vibrato exercises you can do, shown in the video below.

Knuckle taps
Place the tip of your finger on top of your thumb and tap the first knuckle.

Knocking motion
This simulates the vibrato movement away from the instrument.

Knocking motion on instrument
The same movement from the exercise above, with the thumb released.

Knocking motion with thumb attached
The same knocking motion with the thumb staying in place.