How to get Vibrato on the Native American Flute

[@JonnyLipford]

Are you *new to the Native American flute* and looking for a solid foundation? Or have you been playing for many years and *_feel like you're lacking creativity and inspiration?_* Learn how you can transform your flute playing! Check it out: bit.ly/jl-learn-naf

[@stephenpadilla4086]

OK, I finally figured out how to get a natural vibrato without any special effort: I played in front of a group of 19 students at the Wounded Warrior Project and was shaking so badly that I had a vibrato!! :-D

[@JonnyLipford]

Well there's that, too! I remember those days. In fact, I still get nervous sometimes in front of crowds. It's an ebb and flow situation, but there are a few things that help me calm down before a performance. Mainly, just remember that no one is judging you and more than anything they are interested and engaged with the beautiful music that pours from the NAFs.

[@Talespinner35]

What a small, small world we live in Stephen! I cannot believe I bumped into you HERE on a Native American flute tutorial! I never would have guessed that you had/played a flute as well!

[@lillybizzo]

😂😂😂 I loved the story. Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@out_of_the_BOX]

I've 3D printed my native flute, and I am happy to see that the vibrato I've seen on other flutes not emanating from my own wasn't in fact my flutes fault. One day I will make my own from wood, but until then I hope to make this flute I've made work as well as possible.

[@BonnieBayCrochet]

You have an amazing flute collection behind you!

[@JonnyLipford]

I have many flutes - yes! I've been playing and collecting since 2002.

[@naiman4535]

In my opinion, Jonny - the vibrato is definitely an important breath effect you can get on the Native American Style Flute, but it's not the only breath effect that is possible on it; in other words, vibrato doesn't exist in a vacuum, totally unrelated to all the other breath effects that are possible. A player who really has masterful control over his or her breath can use the vibrato in many different ways, to many different degrees, and can mix and match it with other breath effects. When I was a kid in high school in Tokyo, Japan, and was just getting into the Shakuhachi, I taught myself how to play jazz on it, and I bought a copy of Hozan Yamamoto's Gendai Shakuhachi Nyuumon, or Modern Shakuhachi Method. Anyway, Hozan Yamamoto (you can google him up on KZbin) had all kinds of special breath effects in his Shakuhachi method, some of which I believe can be applied to the Native American Style Flute, which Carlos Nakai has called one of the most expressive of all musical instruments. For instance, Yamamoto teaches Muraiki, or patchwork breathing, in which the breath is emitted in bursts or pants - you might even think of it as vibrato taken to an extreme. He also teaches what he calls "sub-tone" playing, in which the breath is toned way down, and the Shakuhachi whispers, or sings in a soto voce style. All this, I believe, can be applied to the Native American Style Flute.

[@JonnyLipford]

I'm sure you are right about that! Thanks for all the ideas!

[@InstrumentManiac]

Vibrato is such a tricky topic - good introduction to it! I always tell students to focus on developing good tone and breath support before working on this. Your helicopter example was a nice way to approach it

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks, bud! It's a simple task that many can relate to. :)

[@I_am_Jonathan]

SIR! You are an absolute MASTER...

[@JonnyLipford]

Wow, thanks! And I really appreciate that you are watching!

[@YeoYolo]

oddly enough i was able to do this right when i started... i didnt think it was something hard to learn. I still have a long way to go with other areas of flute playing, but when the man i bought my flute from taught me basics he seemed very surprised when i played for the first time. now ig i know why😅

[@timbacchus]

I notice other NAF teachers are calling this echo. But it certainly is vibrato. Thanks for getting in correct. Peace and Happiness

[@JonnyLipford]

There are many things that get named and re-named. Many times with playing through a sound system, echo and delay get added on to the voice of the flute.

[@juniorplay8742]

Quem diria de ver mais de 20 flautas nativas americas que você tem Jonny Lipford.

[@spearheadnotary4271]

Excellent Video. Im glad you explained that there is is no one way to do Vibrato. Most cultures have a different variation of Vibrato. It’s funny how most people think they have a monopoly of what Vibrato is. What is a major irony is that most people don’t even Research the first people on earth to do Vibrato/ (the founders) and that is the various indigenous people on the continent of Africa. But new commers try to redefine it. Vibrato starts with cultural competence and learning the techniques used by the original source or even among the Native American indigenous Peoples. Not new age stuff without any knowledge of the original teachers of Vibrato

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks for watching! Absolutely, what you said. And then there are the warbling flutes that have their own version of vibrato!

[@DistantGlowingStar]

I did it in my first week , ie just last week .. Mocking jay

[@lightitupsweeney9627]

Omg is that really a heart shaped drum hangin on the wall!? Sweetness all over the place! Love ur teaching of imagery for this technique!

[@JonnyLipford]

Yes! Thank you!

[@arkelaar]

Thanks Jonny interesting the tips oof the vibrado🙏

[@JonnyLipford]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SerkanKabak25]

How did you overcome challenges in writing songs? Do you have any videos on these? Thanks, really enjoy your content!

[@JonnyLipford]

There are a lot of discussions and tools for songwriting in our On-line flute school (HorizonsFluteSchool.com). But I also have a book (print and digital) available called Songwriting Shortcuts (admin.shopify.com/store/jonny-lipford-music/products/4505604161632)

[@gottalogie]

Thanks for Vibrato tutorial

[@JonnyLipford]

My pleasure!

[@sherryb9770]

What I wouldn’t give to be able to do that. 😮 wow. Signed, 7 months playing and loving it.

[@JonnyLipford]

I started as a beginner. :) What I mean is ... anything is possible if you have the ambition and desire to make it happen! Let me know if I can help you out along your flute journey. Stay tuned for more helpful hints, tips and new tutorials launching soon!

[@lillybizzo]

The best video about vibrato I have found. Could I get a reference for the flute you are playing, please?

[@JonnyLipford]

Hi, this was a limited special edition flute from Jon Norris. These are no longer available, but you can contact Jon to see what he currently has in stock or have him make one for specifically for you. jonnorrismusic.com/collections/native-american-style-flutes?srsltid=AfmBOoq4J5n4RfsGrGaX93jvyIwi8QJTXtNAsESdyLyhHzehpKRanHu_

[@AbrahamManifestationsNow]

Great video. The song at the end is gorgeous too. 🥰

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks so much for tuning in!

[@rickd1201]

Yeah but this one dude 1straycat99 is a master of this flute like no other I've ever heard and of music now that guy has real creative and sounds like nobody else on this Earth he's the only one who sounds completely different on these flutes I've ever came across why. A true genius yeah nice collection you got

[@ericahlgrim6552]

Thanks Jonny. I've struggled with vibrato for years, but your explanation worked perfectly. Great vid.

[@JonnyLipford]

Great to hear and thanks for watching! If you need help with other more advanced techniques, check this out: www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons/intermediate-course

[@haysleereed9405]

Thank you for breaking this down in a simple way that I could understand it. Other videos I have seen have not used an example like you did. Ready to start practicing my vibrato! 😁

[@JonnyLipford]

You know, I felt the same way. I watched video after video of vibrato and I didn't get what I needed. Students kept asking me to share my opinion on vibrato with them and after using this method to help hundreds of students "turn-on" their vibrato, I decided to go public with it! Thanks for watching!

[@threeonionsplease1969]

With italian subtitles! Amazing! Thanks!

[@JonnyLipford]

You're welcome 😊!

[@mrlampuga6367]

@@JonnyLipford Did you have more vidéos in Italian? Îm very interessed !

[@nanr.503]

Thank you! I found your explanation useful.

[@JonnyLipford]

Great! I would like to add to this that you should be using a metronome and pulse your breath with the "beat." Find out what speed you're currently playing at and keep moving that metronome faster as you can. Good luck!

[@JIMMBAY1]

Another gr8 video & content...

[@chanchalchakraborty3953]

Thank You. Very Nice.

[@JonnyLipford]

Most welcome!

[@nativepiano]

It takes a year? Years? Ok, I'd better start soon! 🙂 Thank you for this lesson! 🙏

[@JonnyLipford]

My pleasure! Some players find this sooner than others but it does take some time to refine it and control it. It will add so much warmth to your sound. Best wishes! Thanks for watching!

[@nativepiano]

@@JonnyLipford Thanks! I think it's an elegant way to join sounds together. I have some Native American sheet music but I have no idea how to play it since I don't know the melody... So I will try it with vibrato, hope it works 🙂

[@manuagencia3223]

Hi thanks you for sharing your videos, I would like to know how you difference between a vibrato made from the diaphragm and a vibrato made from the throat, thanks you.

[@JonnyLipford]

It's something that happens naturally for me as the speed picks up.

[@alchemydragon]

Great stuff Jonny

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

Which flute would you recommend as a 1st native flute?

[@JonnyLipford]

Hey, there! Thanks for tuning in! I have recently created a video sharing an answer to that very question. Most people will start with an A for the ease of reach with the fingers but G is a common starter too. Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4XRlGejm5pmasU

[@enlightenedkerry8594]

great video!

[@JonnyLipford]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SoulSignsHypnosis]

Awesome lesson. Thank you. Just started playing

[@JonnyLipford]

Have fun and thanks for watching! I have resources for new players on my website if you need assistance with your flute journey! www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons/products/beginning-flute-course

[@trmwyldshade1482]

My vibrato sounds like a chicken choking on a kernel of corn. I'll keep practicing…

[@JonnyLipford]

It can take a while to develop. The best results happen when you set an intention before and during practice time(s). :) Thanks for watching and keep at it!

[@letsgettuned]

Thanks Jonny!!

[@saraianner]

Obrigada; Entendi muito;

[@UriyahYasharal]

Great vid, thanks!

[@JonnyLipford]

Glad you liked it!

[@CertifiedSped94]

It's it looks whoof or like how we would mimick a dog barking?

[@JonnyLipford]

There are different methods to use to achieve something like vibrato but the way I teach is to learn a rhythmic pulsing of the diaphragm that is expressed by the breath through the flute. A good low and slow vibrato comes from deep within the body's core but does move up into the throat as the speed picks up. The pulsing is much faster than you can consciously execute repetitive "barks", so I would say no to that.

[@LavenderLovetap]

Is this is difficult to do? Because i bought a drone flute the other day, and i can already do vibrato. allthough, ive 1. Been practicing playing my flute almost nonstop 2. Have a really high lung capacity [92%]

[@JonnyLipford]

Some people have a natural ability to do this and some people struggle for a long time to develop this skill. Congratulations! A very important thing from this point is to be able to turn it on and off at will. Flute on!

[@stessnews]

Sir, please send me one of your Flutes

[@JonnyLipford]

I encourage you to purchase one at www.horizonsflutestore.com and we will send it right out.

[@alejandramolina8372]

What is the song?

[@JonnyLipford]

It was an improv for demonstration purposes.

[@likevisitor3961]

Now I know 🤔

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks for watching!

[@likevisitor3961]

@@JonnyLipford youarewelcone 👍

[@stephenpadilla4086]

...and knowing is half the battle! ;-)

[@trillingssangma3508]

In Amazon it's available or not

[@GiriGagan]

Native American flutes are available online in India from svaram in Auroville

[@pointblank1978]

All I heard was helicopter. Chop chop chop HELICOPTER!!!!!

[@elkslayer6540]

Skin flute master.

[@Sagebigmountain]

It’s so interesting to see all the white ppl making tutorials on native flute🤔

[@JonnyLipford]

Indeed! The beauty of the Native American flute and flutes from indigenous cultures all over the world is that they bring us together in the universal language of music. Thanks for watching and please subscribe!

[@driverv86]

It's great eh