How To Play Django's Vibrato - Gypsy Jazz Guitar Secrets

[@NoOne-kr4jc]

Django has one of the most recognizable vibratos ever. They say it colors the character. His is incredibly unique.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Yes absolutely!

[@sherifwatson]

Man I appreciate your effort and time. That channel is the best about Gipsy Jazz .Keep it up cause it'll get back to you. Cheers

[@tommoid]

I've also been trying to do vibrato for ages without success. What I notice in this video is that Robin's thumb is usually about 2 or 3 frets back from his 2nd finger. This is important because it allows you to waggle your arm and hand up and down around the thumb. The hand rotates around the thumb and so the finger moves up and down. If your thumb is directly in line with your finger, then effectively the only way is to clench and release your hand very fast - which is hard! Suddenly this works for me! The problems now are: controlling it so it's not all over the place - and getting faster! As you get better at it, maybe you can move the thumb closer but this seems to be a good place to start!

[@jz4901]

Great sound, your vibrato is nice and consistent, yet still aggressive. I feel that many good guitarists have tons of tension in their arms, and the resulting vibrato is uneven and uncontrolled, not nearly as tight and strong as yours. Do you feel any tension in your fretting arm (upper or lower) when you're doing this? Or do you try to keep that relaxed, so that the hand can quickly vibrate back and forth? Wondering where you're putting your effort, if that makes sense. Cheers and regards! jz

[@steveandsheilalauder8261]

When is vibrato not appropriate? I am a student, my rabi advised caution - we are studying - take the a train. and because its a study the tempo is slow, 104 bpm. its hard not to use vibrato in my phrasing.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

I think vibrato is a big part of the music with guitar playing. It’s an opportunity to convey something more than the note. I add more vib on longer notes.. I would advise to keep your vib and develop it. Let me know how you go

[@steveandsheilalauder8261]

@@GypsyJazzSecrets Thank you. I play rubato. I will continue to play rubato, including my vibrato. Duke Robillard (you may have heard of him) once told me that he was envious of my vibrato. He, apparently, has tried and cannot vibrato.

[@davidemariottiguitar]

can I do this Vibrato on Archtop with flatwound string?

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

It’s more challenging on an Archtop with flatwounds Davide but try it! Robin

[@bobbynobrain]

I've learnt classical vibrato from a young age, and simply can't make my left hand do this - it's infuriating! Can I really get it with enough practice?

[@SpawnofHastur]

Look up 'Tom Hess Vibrato'. The first video that comes up will give you a good explanation on how to practice your vibrato. It's not exactly the same as the technique being used here, but it's a good way to start.

[@bobbynobrain]

Dave Ellis Thanks for the tip Dave, but it's the actual mechanics I'm struggling with. With my classical vibrato (which is too subtle for gypsy jazz!), my left hand is moving from side to side rapidly, not the up and down motion that gypsy players use. I simply can't lock my thumb in and move the strings up and down fast enough. I can do it very slowly from the middle joints of the fingers, but the hand stays still, so not the correct method. I have good hand strength - I've been playing classical for 20+ years and gypsy jazz for about 10. I think I need someone to physically show me! I fancy one of these 'travel to France and learn with Dorado Schmidt' kind of holidays!