"With Nicky" - Vibrato

This week, we are talking about a much requested subject...vibrato. It’s not surprising there have been so many questions and comments about it as vibrato is one of the most tricky things for string players to develop. Learning and building the fundamentals of this technique early on can be challenging.
So, why is it so important? This video takes you on an exploration of the different ways vibrato can be played and will leave you with some exercises to help develop the basic vibrato movements. Whether you’ve been doing vibrato for 2 months or 2 years, these exercises are great - I still use them today!
Join in live or online with the Benedetti Foundation at www.benedettifoundation.org
The videos have been generously supported by ESTA UK, MiSST - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme, and Oasby Music Group and I am very grateful for their support.
Huge thanks to our media partners Classic FM, The Strad, The Violin Channel and WQXR who will be sharing the videos with their audiences each week when released.
Finally, these videos wouldn’t have been possible without an amazing team: Scott Jaeger, our film maker, Laura Gardiner, our Education Manager, Rebecca Driver, PR Manager and Hannah King, Online Media Manager. I want to say a huge thank you to all four of them for being with me on this journey.
Film produced by www.jaegerfilm.com
00:03 - Introduction
02:27 -The Fundamentals
06:59 - Vibrato Comparison
11:35 - Exercises
12:48 - The Wobble and That Final Knuckle
14:37 - Adding Sound, but not Sounding Pretty
17:41 - Practice Plan - Try to Be Realistic and Intelligent with Your Practice
18:05 - Going Between The Fingers
KZbin links:
Below are the links to the clips used in this film if you want to find out and watch more:
David Oistrakh - Brahms - Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor, Op 108 - • David Oistrakh - Brahm...
Itzhak Perlman Mendelssohn Violin Concerto andante - KZbin.flv - • Itzhak Perlman Mendels...
Shostakovich - String Quartet No. 8 in C minor Op. 110 - • Shostakovich - String ...
Rachel Podger plays Bach at the 2018 Gramophone Awards - • Rachel Podger plays Ba...
Nicola Benedetti performs R. Strauss’ Violin Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 18: Mvts. II & III - • Nicola Benedetti perfo...
Sibelius - Violin Concerto in D minor Op. 47 - Christian Ferras - • Sibelius - Violin Conc...
Viktoria Mullova plays Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, op.47 - • Viktoria Mullova plays...
Sibelius Violin Concerto - Maxim Vengerov, Daniel Barenboim, Chicago S.O. (CSO) - • Sibelius Violin Concer...
Joshua Bell: Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, op 47 - 24.11.11 - • Joshua Bell: Sibelius ...
James Ehnes Sibelius Violin Concerto - • James Ehnes Sibelius V...

[@rperrin_2845]

17:54 "Indulge in the difficulty of it." I've never heard it phrased that way. I like it.

[@MangAiren]

Adult beginners everywhere appreciate your lovely advice and friendly disposition. Thank you so much!!!

[@maia_xx8757]

And teens!

[@fatnessroks3374]

And children

[@CombaatArms]

And zombies

[@user-ic3kt1eq1p]

@@CombaatArms Flesh eaters like da fiddle too.

[@austinroopali997]

noob

[@javierparedes14]

Many thanks to the violinists who share their teachings

[@MusicaAngela]

"slow practice isn't a holiday for the mind"! Lol👍

[@keithmiller6583]

Love your teaching; I'm a pianist, not a violinist, and am 72 years of age. I'm still learning and to me THE most essential part of great music is the touch; for instance a 1maj7 is much more melodic and beautiful if the 7th is not played to loudly.

[@neilcam]

This is probably the best vibrato tutorial I've come across on KZbin so far. Thank you, Nicky from an ageing violist.

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Great to hear that thank you 🙏

[@nickyork8901]

It is great. I'd also highly recommend Julia Bushkova's channel, which is excellent on this and on other aspects of left hand and right hand technique.

[@neilcam]

@@nickyork8901 Indeed, Professor Bushkova's channel is already one I watch regularly.

[@lu0844]

Nicky is such great teacher!! 5 months ago I started to follow these exercises and gueeeeesss whaaaatt!!!?? I can now do vibrato!!! Diligence pays off!!! 😁

[@sarahgirges7173]

Congratulations! It certainly does pay off and is rewarding and fun to do, not to mention making your violin playing that much more artistic!!

[@lucys1016]

omg that is so encouraging! My vibrato is so terrible - good to know I can get it to a good place

[@lucys1016]

how much do you practise @lu0844

[@lu0844]

@@lucys1016 I practice all the vibrato exercises for about 15 min in total, I pretty much follow along with the video and pause it to make sure I'm doing it correctly. It helps a lot to focus on 3rd finger, get the motion there, and soon 2nd finger will follow along, then 1st and 4th finger. Keep up the good work, be patient, never never never give up!!

[@sarab5132]

Congrats! This makes me hopeful lol

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Nikki,I think you've converted me! Something has happened, I now love my violin. I've just been noodling round on my violin. The Guillaume rosin is just magical stuff! My violin is getting emotional all of a sudden. It sounds like Halie Mills and Pavrotti all rolled into one. THIS ROSIN IS IMPECCABLE! THANK YOU NIKKI! THANK YOU.!❤

[@henrypagan6657]

Your amazing thank you. I’m 51 just starting playing violin.

[@TheWendable]

Henry Pagan How is the fiddle practice going? Im 45 and when i watch children play better than me I want to throw my fiddle out the window 😂 Hope you’re sticking at it my friend.

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Dear Nicky. It's nov.28, 2023 10:20am I started to feel as though my wrist was not moving in the same plane as yours for vibrato. I am working from Tessa Larks how to learn vibrato an easier way. This method has been extremely helpful in order to move the wrist in the way that you do. I am adopting her system only because I understand it better and it truly allows my wrist to mimmick yours. Your still my favorite violin teacher and I will be watching your vidios mostly. Your adoring student in u.s.chris e.yours very truly.😅

[@simonmtkwong]

Practising in 3rd position, you're the only person to say this and really works...genius :)

[@jamesbishop2315]

It is so awesome that you are doing this! As someone who is struggling with vibrato (but really trying), I appreciate this more than I can tell you. Thank you! This is the best instruction ever!

[@chriswalker1112]

I saw you play the Beethoven in Atlanta and thought your use of vibrato was the most varied and most integrated with the music of any violinist I've ever heard. Thank you for the help you're offering today.

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Just saw your tutorial of the young man at the royal college of music playing Brahms. I THINK YOU BROUGHT IT OUT OF HIM. I DONT KNOW HOW ANYONE CAN STAND FOR THAT LENGTH OF TIME ERGO ONES BACK GETTING TIRED. I THINK YOUR A WONDERFIUL TEACHER. THANK YOU FOR THE WINDOW ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. WISH I HAD STUCK WITH IT, ALL THAT REMAINS IS FOR ME TO PLAY MY INSTRUMENT EVERY DAY AND MIMMICK WHAT I SEE AND HEAR. IF I WANT MASTERY ENOUGH MAYBE SOMEDAY I TOO COULD ATTEND THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC BUT I HAVE TO BE REALISTIC IN MY GOALS.

[@AlexaLoCruz]

Best video, yet! I’m certainly working on this. My vibrato has only one speed ☺️

[@Louise-zs9rl]

Hi Nicky, I managed to do a vibrato yesterday on all 4 fingers for the first time and to be honest, I was expecting the sound of a pneumatic drill but got the complete opposite😁. It was a fast and narrow vibrato where my left hand and fingers were relaxed. The only lessons I had was for Bb clarinet! My violin suprises me every day!

[@JORGEVIOLIN]

This is an amazing video! Not everyday do you get an artist of her caliber breaking down the nuances of violin technique and showing you her own perspectives on the issues of the instrument. I love how she is able to put herself side by side some of the greatest violinists of all times and make it feel so seamless! Ms. Benedetti is a phenomenal artist with a genuine heart for pedagogy and inspiring young and younger musicians! A must watch daily! 👍🏼🎻💯

[@leahhamdaoui7755]

Thank you for such useful guidance. Love the clips you chose!!!

[@milchpuder]

Fantastic tutorial. I've been playing for 25 years and after a long break I'm finding the need to revamp/relearn my vibrato amongst many other things. Thank you for taking the time.

[@MartinPodholaMlok]

From Sunday, I am looking forward to these videos! Many thanks for them! :)

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Dear Nicola! Good morning! I have come to the conclusion that you are right! Everything we expect to hear from the violin should come through us not necessarily the instrument. In other words our health is mirrored in the sound of the violin. Have a wonderful day!😅

[@luvkayakn]

Great video lesson, and it's really nice to see you develop your vibrato through the years. It assures us vibrato is always a work in progress.

[@MishaSkripach]

Priceless! Thank you so much!

[@ricklye7340]

Absolutely superb lesson and presentation. You really highlight what is required and the emphasis on not rushing is very relevant. Many thanks

[@MartinBertolotto]

Your videos are of great quality ! Thank you

[@henrypagan6657]

Thank you for answering and taking your time.

[@laurelanderson4475]

THAN YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS LESSON NICKY. YOU ARE EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND VERY HELPFUL. I GET EASILY DISCOURAGED AND AM DETERMINED TO GET THIS. : ))

[@brooklynk.biegel1176]

Great instruction--thank you for this, Nicola!

[@florc.7406]

of all the videos, post etc that I have seen or read without a doubt this is the best video !! thanks you so much

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

A marvelous video-THANK YOU!!!

[@cobbheath]

Really appreciate all the work and time to make these videos, I like the variety of adding in examples and clips of other videos. Thank you!

[@mapa6772]

Also, yes! Even the great can get better. You were great at 8 and 15 and better now. Thanks for sharing. These are great videos.

[@alexandramezey7317]

I just bumped into your vibrato video and really appreciate your not just showing us the skill, but acknowledging how and in which ways learning vibrato can be, well, a challenge. You inspire me to try yet again. Thank you!

[@CoeBooks]

Excellent!!! Thank you. Started working on vibrato last month. Keep the lessons coming. I love your style of instructing and your video quality is excellent.

[@c0mpuipf]

absolutely amazing information she's really one of the top violinists alive, mindblown that she took some time to explain these things

[@resharpsharpening3024]

Great video on this subject ! Thank you

[@mariapre-di6835]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@davidleesn]

Thanks so much for your humble, honest and time saving sharing of how to be gloriously, uniquely yourself, inspired...to express creatively the amount of vibrato you need for that carefully prepared moment suffused by notes like that in a birdsong in dawn chorus... free, intimate and tremendously expressive as your chosen examples of the best showed !

[@davidluiz4732]

Parabéns Nicola Benedetti... Um dos vibrato mais bonitos que já vi !!!

[@yosayon]

Ive been viewing so many videos on how to learn vibrato and yours has been by far the best one for me. It's only day 2 but I already feel like Ive improved so much.

[@mauricecook5957]

I don’t play the violin but your videos are fascinating and my understanding of music is soaring! Thank you!

[@tysondacosta7802]

Wow... great tips... a whole bunch of wisdom... so good and simple... beautiful illustrations... Thanks a million Nicola...

[@JP-su9ib]

I love it, It's so we'll explained, thanks. You're a really good teacher

[@jimdunleavypiano]

Tuesday is now my favourite day of the week! :)

[@lilyannab1926]

Excellent lesson...I can't wait to add these steps--SLOWLY!--to my daily practice. Thank you.

[@grahamrodger372]

Best explanation I've seen yet. Inspirational.

[@phoobydoo86]

Thank you for this great video! It's been really helping me, as I'm only a beginner at vibrato. Looking forward to next weeks video! ☺

[@frayneashley1477]

This is the best tutorial I have seen. Thank you.

[@carolineandtigger]

Hello Ms. Nicola Benedetti. I am practicing on my vibrato. I learned a lot from watching your video. Thank you.

[@bessonovalexander9534]

Who realy explained to me how to practice vibrato? It's you!!!! THANKS!!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@yukine3752]

I have gone through a lot of vibrato videos on youtube and this is one of the best! The details and explanation in this is amazing!

[@omidcsun]

It was amazing. Thanks for breaking it down and explaining it in details.

[@h.t.8565]

Thank you for these videos.

[@tannerpittman]

This is the best video on vibrato I've found, by miles. Thank you. You're amazing.

[@somerandomperson5924]

thank you so much for this, i can feel how much effort you've put into this video and it is by far the best video i've seen

[@jennywadsworth6013]

Brilliant work! I’m so excited to have the comparison of so many different artists for clear understanding

[@distantsunrising]

Thank You for Actually Caring that those of Us Who Love the Violin Truly Learn! I’m incredibly Grateful for You.

[@chrisebbesen5798]

Ditto! Bravisimo!

[@foli8730]

Thank you so much! You're amazing 💕💕💕

[@bethhindmarch9234]

This is amazing and I've been definitely wanting help on my vibrato so this video and the exercises really helped and i have practiced them at home.

[@petercane6890]

Thanks Nicky. You have a beautiful face, violin and playing style and way of putting that lot forward for what must be the hardest thing to achieve on a violin. The vibrato is the soul of the violin and brings it to life to make our eyes wet and contain gulps we don't want others to hear or see!! That was the best vid yet on vibrato. I find it immensely hard but at 70 I am beginning to get it at last!!! I valued all the demonstrations you showed of various violinsists and their styles. You put a lot into that video. Many thanks. Peter

[@jlinwinter]

Oh Maxim. So wonderful

[@awhowahman]

You are a great explainer!

[@IsaacChoo88]

Thank you for the tips!!

[@PaulGTerry]

This video was a game changer for my vibrato!

[@louiseh1727]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@lu0844]

Patience! Concentrate! Thank you so much!!! I'm going to be very diligent and follow all these tips, pinky promise!!!

[@lu0844]

And it was about 3- 6 months later, following these exercises, that I was able to do vibrato!!! Little by little, we have to be patient and consistent. Thank God and thank you for this video once again!!

[@anielafilipek9747]

Thank you for those lessons!🤍

[@jisatsuyoru2728]

You are one of my fav violinists of all time and a huge inspiration to me and I just find out you have a channel omg. It makes me so happy!!!!

[@garysimkins2179]

This is the best tutorial so far on this topic. Thankyou, I am a beginner (adult) and it's tough, but I love it!

[@dickshackelford6193]

Outstanding example of teaching; some of the best to share with my students, both beginning vibrato, and those who've just begun. Thank you, Nicky.

[@NicolaBenedettiOfficial]

Thank you 🙏

[@AmitKumar-wq3bc]

If my teacher was this easy on the eyes and ears and heart and sole....i'd be ling ling!

[@jungkooktae1108]

Amit Kumar nobody can replace ling ling because he practices 40 hours a day 😂

[@katlynndsouza9711]

#twosetviolin

[@brothergoodfoot]

Easy on the sole... yeah, she doesn't look too heavy, that's reasonable...

[@nelsoncheng4638]

Amit Kumar. Sole or soul?

[@mareensachdeva151]

Who is Ling Ling

[@charlesbutcher04]

My sister is stuck at home whilst working on her degree and I’m an aspiring violinist so these are soooo helpful as I can practice and not distract her. Thank you so much x

[@SamanthaHallam]

This is such a detailed and helpful tutorial thank you so much. I love your violin playing and it’s so kind of you to share your wonderful talent and examples of the differences in vibrato playing from other amazing violinists, very interesting and eye-opening actually. Thank you.

[@Andi-jt3xk]

Thank you! This is sooo helpful! These tutorials really help to keep me focused : )

[@fjollagashi6212]

It's really really helpful thank you for this amazing video!

[@jackloganbill605]

Excellent!!!! Thank you!!!

[@michaeldunkley1162]

Wow, just discovered you and what a treat you are! Brilliance and humility, humour and immense talent. You are wonderful, Thankyou so much :}

[@aitzoliturriagagoitiabueno7580]

Bravo Nicola!! Tus explicaciones son fantásticas y lo comunicas de maravilla. Muchas gracias

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Hi Nicola! It's an honour to have my comment up there! It's 7 2 24 and I've just had a run through with the basic vibrato exercises here at 10:43 concluding. I'm using a 1 1/4 length rubber band transverse cross over my bow to secure my middle and ring ringers. I'm sounding extremely close to your beautiful instrument except my timing is weak. This afternoon I will give a run through I think I'll say.. by O.N.J. I'm so proud of myself! I give myself two gold stars. It's so wonderful to have you for a teacher! Thank You!your you tube student, c.e. in usa.😅

[@JustFiddler]

thankyou nikki! greeting from bali island

[@dammitol25mg19]

Well explained. Thank you!

[@catzpajamazpianostudio-mor7202]

The most useful vibrato video I’ve found for me and my students. Thanks for this. Beautifully done and a pleasure to watch.

[@vance7274]

My endeavor to learn violin vibrato is handicapped by the beauty of the instructor...

[@saea58]

Thank you Nicky, that was very helpful and informative.

[@iwooga]

This really helped thanks a lot!

[@paulafairchild8242]

Thank you for putting this together. This video is fabulous! I am a middle school orchestra teacher. We are now out of school for six weeks due to the Corona Virus. To me, this means we have practice time! I will share this video with my violins and violas in the 7th and 8th grades to support what we have learned thus far in class.

[@truthteller7674]

Until now the best video about vibrato👌🏼 And I watched many... Thank you so much😊

[@strotasourceofknowledge2414]

Too good! Thank you and God bless you.

[@percymujica7415]

Watching and practicing to make a better vibrato.

[@kenzietaylor2915]

i was at santa fe high school when you performed for us, your vibrato is beautiful and this is a super informative video!

[@marcocuchorojasrosso1334]

it helped me a lot, thanks!!!

[@christquest3381]

I’m glad you chose the Sibelius Concerto to exemplify; excellent choice!!!!!

[@Kahogan2]

VERY helpful, thank you so much!!

[@notekase4691]

For years I've struggled with vibrato. Sometimes it's amazing usually it's mediocre verging on rubbish. It has to be the most frustrating technique ever. This is a great lesson. It's really illuminating to see such an honest and humble master musician. My neighbours will love this. 😁😁

[@lucius79blues]

thank you for the lesson

[@silee9]

Thanks Nicky

[@larryputtock4372]

Brilliant 👏 so helpful

[@JuliJuliMerci]

Great, thanks!

[@footgoblin]

Thank you so much for this. I finally feel like I have some idea of what vibrato is

[@joeh4232]

You must be a beautiful person inside as well as out, thanks for doing this, it helped me.