Unlocking Vibrato: 12 Essential Steps Before You Learn!

Ever wondered how to master that mesmerizing violin vibrato? It's the number one question I hear as a violin teacher. The good news is, you can start preparing for vibrato right now, even if you're not at an intermediate level. In this video, I'll share 12 crucial tips and exercises to get you ready for the vibrato journey.
🔍 From maintaining a stable violin hold to relieving tension, perfecting left-hand position, and incorporating stretches, these practical steps will set the foundation for a smooth vibrato experience. I'll guide you through each tip, emphasizing the importance of relaxation, light finger pressure, and rhythmic precision.
🎶 But that's not all! I'll introduce you to rhythmic exercises, arm vibrato motions, and unique techniques to strengthen the knuckles essential for vibrato. Plus, we'll discuss the role of intonation - a key factor in your vibrato success.
🎬 Join me on this pre-vibrato journey, and let's build the skills you need to make vibrato a seamless part of your violin playing.
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🎶 Happy practicing! #ViolinVibrato #MusicEducation #MeadowlarkViolin #HappyPracticing
Additional Lessons and Timestamps
How to Adjust Your Shoulder Rest
• How to Play Violin: Le...
0:00 Violin Vibrato Introduction/ Why violin teachers wait to teach vibrato
1:09
1.Make sure your violin hold is stable and comfortable. Having an incorrect/unstable violin hold will make vibrato difficult to learn.
1:46
2. Be aware of tension. To do vibrato you have to be very relaxed. Tension is the biggest vibrato problem I see.
2:05
3. Have the Correct Left Hand Position. If the left wrist is flat, it's impossible to do vibrato. Make sure the left wrist is straight and relaxed.
2:28
4. Do Your Stretches before you play. Stretching helps your muscles relax so your vibrato won't be tense.
2:43
5. Don't grip or squeeze with the left hand. Gripping and squeezing with the left hand means you can't relax the left arm enough to make the vibrato motion. A death grip on the violin will impede any vibrato.
3:00
6. Use Light Finger Pressure. Too much finger pressure means the fingers will not have the necessary "give" for the vibrato motion. If the fingers are stiff and tense, vibrato is impossible. Use the least amount of pressure necessary to get a good sound.
3:27
7. Practice slides. Warm-ups like slides ensure you whole arm is relaxed.
4:35
8. Practice the vibrato motion without the violin--this will help you get the correct, relaxed motion.
5:35
9. Get the left hand knuckle ready for vibrato. It's one of the most important joints for vibrato. Warm up those knuckles to get them ready to flex the way they need to for vibrato.
6:23
10. Knock on the Violin--place the left hand at the bout of the violin and knock to learn the correct hand vibrato motion.
7:29
11. Practice rhythms with a metronome. Vibrato is rhythmic and structure. The metronome is very important with building a natural vibrato. Use a metronome to make sure you are comfortable with rhythms.
8:25
12. Practice good intonation! If you're not in tune, adding vibrato won't make it sound prettier! Focus on intonation now so vibrato will be icing on the cake!
Read more here about violin vibrato here:
meadowlarkviolin.com/violinbl...
Check out my vibrato and violin resources here!
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[@Theophaniaverse-creative]

I just love how youtube became the teacher of stubborn students 😂 Amazing lesson, thank you !

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

🤣Thank you!

[@jamesbarros950]

But… but… I thought the vibrato would hide my horrible intonation ;) In all seriousness, thank you for this wonderful lesson. I’ve saved it and will revisit regularly.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Haha! Yes, that's what we all hope for!

[@emilysu7696]

Hahah i laughed so loud when trying The pinky!! Great video super helpfull Thanks !!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I know what you mean! Everything goes okay until you reach the pinky!

[@starther]

Learning the violin was a hard and painful way in my life - it must have been a mixture of many things - that I had traumatic experiences with my teacher, that I didn't quite feel 100% comfortable with the instrument (maybe because oft that?) and wanted to quit many times but my parents wouldn't let me - I always had tension in my left arm and the arm got heavy. And then I couldn't learn the vibrato and I can't until today and this makes me upset after all. I haven't played the violin for years but once in a while it "gets me" and I'd love to just take it and play and if it is just for me - despite of all the experience I had with it. I know that there is a lot of fear because of all that. And I don't know hat to do. Brings me to tears while I am writing this. I just want it to be healed because I know how beautiful this instrument can be.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I hope this doesn't make you upset! If it's been a while, I suggest playing some open strings and finding joy in just producing a sound. It can be very satisfying. Then move on to vibrato when you feel you are ready. There is no time crunch or deadline!

[@Badbasement]

Thank you for this!!!

[@curtpiazza1688]

Great advice! 😊

[@coolbluebm1354]

Thanks Laura. Adult here, having another crack at vibrato. I’ve been trying for several years and really need to return to basics because it’s just not coming together.

[@frayneashley1477]

Thank you do much. I can't wait to begin practicing the way you advise.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome! Glad it's helpful!

[@janabastlova2172]

Another great video with great advice, thank you, Lora, I'm so glad I've found your channel!❤ I know there are more other good violin tutors on youtube but you're far my favorite one and it's maybe your violin journey that I find so inspiring. . . but also your personality and often so helpful points in your videos.😊Keep going please!!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Aww! Thank you so much! That means a lot!

[@jerryd7246]

Excellent video and tips, I must get rid of my death grip (2 year adult student)

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thanks! We all deal with it at some point!

[@HaffnerMark]

I took notes. What a great outline. Thanks!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome!

[@dsouther11]

Super helpful, I’m an adult learner. I’ve been learning for 2years now and am finishing up Suzuki book 2. My teacher mentioned we will be visiting vibrato in the near future so this is great advice to get ready.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrissquire2406]

Very helpful. Will need to somehow get left wrist and hand more flexible. Right wrist and fingers seem to do a lot better so don't know if plate in left wrist from previous wrist break years ago is causing some of the reduced flexibility. However will keep trying to practice preparing so I can learn this. Also just started playing the violin a year ago after not having learned violin 50 years ago.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Learning vibrato is a slow progress. Part of the battle is developing that flexibility!

[@karenr.349]

What a nice video. Thank you so much. Do you have any music theory Book to recommend for new violinists? 😊

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

There is an All for Strings Theory workbook that I would often use with students.

[@rvdown11]

This is an amazingly helpful video. Thank you. I’m an adult beginner (40yo, ~9 months in) and this is the perfect perspective. It feels like such a taboo to even say vibrato at this stage but I really just want to know that I’m building a good foundation for vibrato when it comes along. On that note, the #1 tip seemed a bit worrisome given that I’ve recently switched to a center chin rest that puts the violin more inside than before. If feels a lot more natural but is that a bad thing for being able to develop vibrato later?

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Glad it's helpful! No, I don't think using the center chinrest is a bad thing. As long as it feels comfortable for you. The issues I see with the violin being too much "inside" is mostly when people subconsciously move the violin in front of them, probably to help them see the fingerboard better. This makes for a very unnatural angle and unnatural bend with the arm. In your case, I'm sure it's fine!

[@alliepetty1005]

Really helpful Laura. Thank you. The joint exercises are a really helpful idea. I'm older, and am concerned that my movement will be too stiff to learn vibrato. This is my 2nd time taking up the violin. Any suggestions for older students would be much, much appreciated

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Hi Allie, I've had many older students be able to develop a nice, relaxed vibrato. It's one of those things that takes some time no matter how old you are. This video has more information on exercises you can start very slowly and gradually build up, which is great for getting muscles and joints limbered up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKe4p6WHi7eJo8U

[@rvdown11]

Thanks for asking this. I’m also on the older side (40yo) and the required knuckle flexibility has me a bit spooked.

[@frayneashley1477]

I'm older too, all just shy of 81 years hand problems, but determination together with the love to learn will get us there.

[@saberanouar]

❤❤❤

[@Shrinksjp]

Helpful video. My teacher wants wrist vibrato and she tells me that the thumb must stay toward the pegs and the elbow must be outside the violin slightly underneath the violin, as well as the points that you make in this video. It seems to be too much involved.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

There is a lot that goes on with vibrato. It can be hard to learn the motion, but once you get it down, it can make a lot more sense.

[@1cleandude]

When my teacher told me I wasn’t ready for vibrato I quit: I was 67 years old!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You can do it! I think it's fine to learn the basics of vibrato even if you aren't "officially" ready. Train your muscles so that when you are ready to really incorporate vibrato into your playing, you'll be ready. The trick is not letting vibrato practice take over your whole practice routine.

[@user-vd5gk1mp4o]

А по русски нельзя, или перевести?