How to Develop Vibrato on Flute

[@alexiswilson4613]

"You can't learn this overnight" *Band director- "work on it tonight and try to use it in the show"* Me- "Wat"

[@TheWhisperingCactus]

This is why I hated band.

[@oscarrh8005]

Solo?

[@thaienawilliamson4937]

Exactly!! I feel that ‼️

[@Amyg665]

Rip, hoped you were able to do it.

[@kernel701]

Alexis Wilson Ikr!!! They expect us to learn a complex thing overnights

[@kaleba5203]

How does he have a diaphragm? He just looks like a floating head to me. All joking aside, this was informative. I don't play flute, but I wanted to know how a flautist did vibrato. It seems difficult!

[@neettim]

lmao same here

[@sunnylin9366]

😂

[@vincentbravo1948]

I play the flute and it is actually hard i can kinda do it but I can’t really do it compeletly

[@jacquelinedamian2423]

@@vincentbravo1948 same

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Hi Ashleigh, Unfortunately learning vibrato takes several months of regular work to fully develop it. Having said that there is still time to at least start some kind of vibrato. Try to think of what it feels like when you cough. You should feel it from your stomach area (diaphragm). Learning vibrato is the same feeling initially. Try to feel like you are coughing over and over (very small coughs) and make it rhythmic, like one cough per second. Once you feel it, try doing whole note scales going up and down the scales while you are doing it. Eventually you will start to speed it up to where your vibrato is at least as fast as 3 to 4 per second. Hope this helps. David

[@ronrobbins2737]

David, a coughing exercise is counter-productive. Try the "snake-hiss" instead because that uses the throat not stomach.

[@frogette3218]

I started to learn flute in January this year at the age of 52. My lessons are over zoom because of Covid. There is so much to think about! It’s a little bit like patting your head and rubbing your tummy simultaneously. Your tips on vibrato are really useful. I’m practicing a little bit everyday and trying to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Outstanding!!! Keep up the good work and you will accomplish your goals!!! David

[@jigglytea]

I can do vibrato on the lower notes, but the higher notes seem to be a challenge for me. Am i doing something wrong? :/ I can't do it above Bb :/

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Correct vibrato is done by the throat, chest and diaphragm. If you feel that all that is correct then try to make sure that you relax your embouchure a little more and open your teeth a little more. Try that and see if that helps. Good luck!! David

[@chiminyang2000]

I've been try to learn this and it only took me 4 days to get it.

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Wonderful! Glad it helped and thanks for commenting!

[@heewonlee7851]

chimin yang U want a 🏅 dude?

[@andromisilibrober]

it took me only one day

[@Socks3657]

Heewon Lee lol jealous?

[@TheHUhelps]

Thanks for taking the time out to share your gift.

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

You're welcome, Doc! Glad it helps! David

[@syifasyazwina7358]

So, our stomach will move while playing vibrato ?

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

The steps I talk about are just for starting the vibrato process. Once a flutists has mastered vibrato there is no movement visible from outside the body-your stomach will not move much anymore. It will feel more like you are producing the vibrato from your lower chest through you upper throat. David

[@juliansanders6324]

Thank you for this film, and the one on double tonguing.

[@TheAshleighWade]

Why can I not do this? It's like impossible for me to do this! I need serious help because solo & ensemble is coming up and the piece I'm doing needs vibrato.

[@andromisilibrober]

When you do a vibrato faster (like at 2:55 ), do you push the diaphragm faster ?

[@Iamthatmelody]

My last year at music academy. I learn many things from this guy not from my flute teacher at academy. Thanks man. I become better flutist with many of your tips.

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

You are very welcome. Thanks soo much!! David

[@Iamthatmelody]

@@DrDavidandJudiKlee My tone get amazing with your tounging exercise. I have smooth tone with everyday 30 min tounging workout. Because of you. Thank you so much for that

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Glad it helped! David

[@JaySchwartz]

Thank you very much for your always helpful advice and insight! :)

[@JudiintheKitchen]

Glad it helps! Thanks for commenting.

[@AnhLe-zl4ws]

i dont think it really takes months, you just practice it until you get a feel for it and it will be easier (although i guess months would "perfect" it)

[@fallstar2001]

This is so instructional, thank you so much. :)

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

***** Glad it helps! David

[@Amyg665]

My friend can do that natural and I want to do it, and this helped me

[@FanTrailers]

is it okay to use your lips to do vibrato, because I am already naturally used to using my lips to do vibrato?Thanks again.

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

+FanTrailers Hi! It has been become the tradition over the last 100 years to use the throat for vibrato (like singing) versus the lips because when moving the lips it tends to alter the quality and timbre of the sound. Having said that if you have been using your lips for your vibrato and have been having good results with it I wound not change it at this point. David

[@FanTrailers]

thanks !I'm already well used to using my lips so i'll just stay the same thank you !

[@benlang1678]

is the intro of dr klee when he was younger?

[@KUBBI7488]

Do you know what I'm doing wrong, because when I do vibrato and play music at the same time I run out of air on half the 2nd measure.

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Mike Will Hi! It is possible that when you use vibrato you are pushing the air too hard and losing alot of it at once. It is also possible that your embouchure aperture is too wide therefore releasing too much air at once. David

[@_swesters_]

When I vibrato I use my tongue, it's the same technique I use when I whistle. Is this ok to be doing or should I switch it up?

[@annikakoons1050]

thank you, you're the reason I'm about to get a solo

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Hi!! You are so kind!! Thank you!! Happy fluting!! David

[@JudiintheKitchen]

Hi Ashleigh, Unfortunately, learning vibrato takes several months of regular work to fully develop it. Having said that, there is still time to at least start some kind of vibrato. Try to think of what it feels like when you cough...you should feel it from your stomach area (diaphragm). Learning vibrato is the same feeling initially. Try to feel like you are coughing over and over (very small coughs) and make it rhythmic, like one cough per second. Once you feel it, try doing whole note scales going up and down the scales while you are doing it. Eventually you will start to speed it up to where your vibrato is at least as fast as 3 to 4 pr second. Hope this helps. David

[@wonderfullotta3]

That's helpful! thanks.

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

You're very welcome!

[@FireBird1820]

What about posture

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Hi! You should always hold the flute like this: You should stand or sit up straight and bring your flute to your face---not bend down to meet your flute. Then you adjust your arms so that your flute is angled in a comfortable position for the arms, hands, shoulders, and fingers-while still sitting/standing up straight. David

[@TheWhisperingCactus]

That little two-chord vamp at the end is freaking beautiful. Is that a Rhodes piano in there?

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Hi!! I am not sure what the pianist used because he sent me the piano files through Dropbox and I mixed them into the final mix for my CD (he lives in Georgia and I live in Iowa). If memory serves me correctly he used a Roland digital piano. David

[@TheWhisperingCactus]

I really appreciate your reply David! I just saw the note at the end of the video about what album it's from. I found a cut from it here on youtube, and the keyboard is certainly a Rhodes sound...very well might be a Roland digital emulation, or, to my ear, a real Rhodes. Either way, I want the album! I'm really liking what I've heard so far!! Excellent stuff!

[@torianmcneill3794]

I have a Casio keyboard with lighted keys lk 210 model I got it for my early birthday present last month

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

+Torian McNeill Hi again!! It is possible, depending on the sound sample, that the flute vibrato is embedded into the sound, which means you cannot turn it off. Also when I looked your keyboard model I noticed that you do not have the tone wheels to the left of the keyboard which means you could not have turned it off anyway. Some flute samples do not have vibrato. It all depends of the make/model and extra features of the keyboard. DK

[@annettedillon3233]

How do you do it for 32 notes and really fast compound timing or tempos? Kinda like a shudder? Or does it not really have a nice function at high speeds?

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Hello! I like to use vibrato as an over technique. Having said that it is obvious when the notes are moving so fast there is no way to hear a vibrato then there is no need to use vibrato. I usually do not use vibrato on anything faster than eighth notes at a slow tempo. David

[@torianmcneill3794]

Lindsay I have flute vibrato on my keyboard do you know why the flute vibrates on it?

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

+Torian McNeill Over the last 100 years it has become the accepted trait for a professional flutist to have vibrato, just like a singer-in fact a flutist's vibrato is produced in the same place as a singer's vibrato-from the throat down to the diaphragm. David

[@jennawen136]

I'm just started working on vibrato, I can't feel any kind of movement from my stomach, and I can kinda do it in about a week moderately fast, is something wrong?

[@ronrobbins2737]

Common misconception about diaphragm creating vibrato! It's actually from the throat.

[@susienoble435]

so I'm just learning vibrato and our band teacher wants us to be using vibrato but since I am just beginning to learn would it be best to play without during band then practice at home or both?

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

I would try to use it all of the time, unless of course, except maybe when you are in a concert or similar type of performance. Good luck!! David

[@susienoble435]

thank you!

[@hrmnpsrffn]

Can I apply this to singing?

[@genna306]

You can definitely apply vibratos to when you're singing.

[@hrmnpsrffn]

+Genna Csurdi Yes, I know that we can do vibrato in singing too but can we apply the technique that he taught in the video to produce vibrato?

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

+hrmnpsrffn Hi! Yes, flute vibrato is produced the same way as singing vibrato. As you play your flute try to think of yourself singing as you are blowing air through the flute. David

[@hrmnpsrffn]

+DrDavidandJudiKlee Thank you for clearing that up, sir.

[@erikabaker2393]

Do you play vibrato when you play quarter,eighth, or soxtheenth notes?

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Erika Baker Hi!! I play vibrato two ways: 1. If I am playing a lot of fast notes and then come to a long value note I will put vibrato on just the long value note 2. If the music is a mixture of short value and long value notes (ex: Concerto in G Major, 1st movement, Mozart) I usually have a set vibrato I play through everything as I am playing it-Typical classical sound. David

[@rodigosr]

Semeando a esperança, no vasto chão da vida, Caminho incerto, onde a fé nos guia e nos ensina, Em cada passo, um desafio que se avista, Será o destino, um mistério ou uma sina? 🌱

[@DwightManning]

See also: Woodwind Vibrato from the Eighteenth Century to the Present. Performance Practice Review, 8(1), 67-72. tinyurl.com/yapad7p7 AND El Vibrato de Viento-Madera desde el Siglo XVIII hasta Hoy. Quodlibet Revista de Especialización Musical (Madrid), 18, 37-42. tinyurl.com/y96vdmc4

[@erikabaker2393]

Thank you

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Erika Baker You're welcome, Erika! Keep tooting! David

[@christiancadelina2656]

i find it very helpful. Thanks :)

[@WHALEx3]

That shutter speed though

[@helenw3151]

Hi Dr. David Keel! So I have been pushing my diaphragm, but the sound seems to just be getting louder or softer no change in tone as shown in the video. Am I do something wrong or is that how it's supposed to be. Thank you!

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

Somehow even though you are breathing when starting a tone on your flute, apparently it is only coming from your chest. This may sound silly but try the same exercise when lying on your back in bed holding your flute and try to start the vibrato pulsation. It might be actually easier to jump start it this way. Just make sure there are no little kids around when you try this-they might want to jump in bed with you and damage your flute. David

[@torianmcneill3794]

My keyboard doesn't have a vibratio on off switch the last keyboard I had the flute didn't vibrate unless I pushed the vibratio button the keyboard I have now doesn't have a vibratio on off switch the flute automatically vibrates

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

+Torian McNeill Hi!! On MIDI sometimes you can use the wheel to the left of the keyboard to turn on and off certain functions of the MIDI. David

[@ronrobbins2737]

David, your vibrato advice seems a little conflicted (diaphragm/throat). No human diaphragm can pulsate 5x/second unless you're panting like a dog (not a good look at all). Students can use the "hissing" exercise at varying speeds to develop vibrato (as recommended by Gary Sigurdson) because vibrato comes from the throat (as stated by James Galway).

[@Chloe-lt8fq]

Hi Dr David Klee, i started doing vibrato couple of months ago but lately i have been noticing that i get my vibrato from my throat and not from my stomach, is it normal or just me slacking off? Thanks, Chloe

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

It is possible that the vibrato is originating more from the throat than the diaphragm. Try to make sure that you are fully supporting your sound from the diaphragm and as you do that you can try to focus on the diaphragm creating the vibrato. It is also possible that your vibrato has gotten faster and smoother which means you may not feel it per say from the diaphragm anymore. Good luck. David

[@ronrobbins2737]

Yes, flute-vibrato actually is created in the throat (Galway says it too). No human diaphragm can actually pulsate 5x/second. Air-support comes from there, but the throat is where the real action is. Common misconception about diaphragm.

[@samf3427]

I can just naturally do vibrato idk why.

[@torianmcneill3794]

It's a lk 210 model it doesn't have a vibrato on off switch

[@wildstingray4463]

Hm... I've been doing vibrato for about 6 months and didn't even know what it was, I just thought that if I did that weird moving thing to my diaphram and throat the sound would come out in cool waves. I literally just learned about what vibrato was today lol

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

weirdgirl ! Hi!! That's vibrato!! It is a combination of your esophagus, diaphragm, and upper throat that produces vibrato!! Great!! Now you can use it all of the time!! David

[@zdenek1113]

Dear Doctor, listen to the program "Vibrato [and music] under microscope". Best regards

[@wexfordfilmworkshop]

I do vibrato from the throat.

[@KUBBI7488]

dickdona Can you tell me how?

[@DrDavidandJudiKlee]

dickdona Vibrato is done with a combination of the throat, esophagus, and the diaphragm. It is when they all work together is what creates a smooth even vibrato. David

[@chrisk8187]

Why are you demonstrating while wearing a black shirt against a black background? Also, it's very misleading to even use the words stomach or tummy as being "pushed" out in some way. Isolate the diaphragm and "contract" or tighten that muscle and then relax it. Any movement of the "tummy" is a by-product of being moved out of way by the contraction of the diaphragm. This eliminates any bad habits and discomfort for the beginner.

[@TheWhisperingCactus]

This is for, like, kids, man. Try to tell a 7-year-old that the movement of the stomach is secondary to the isolated contraction of the diaphragm. I have a feeling that telling them their tummy should push out is a lot more immediately effective.

[@Hannah-kk7kc]

@@TheWhisperingCactus ...he said ors for highschool no 7 year old would use vibrato

[@ihavegcc472]

it took me one minute to get it

[@booperdooper3792]

I'm not even in class and I fell asleep....

[@03Venture]

This technique doesn’t work for me...

[@eldickinson]

am i the only one who finds this easy lol

[@isabelgomez5667]

Elizabeth Dickinson help me

[@eldickinson]

Isabel Gomez it’s basically tensing your stomach each vibrato and then picking up that normal tone again. start slow and once you’re comfortable go faster. but i’m no flute teacher, so i’m sorry if this is unclear