Vibrato on the bass - how to learn it!

[@gonzajs]

I've been working on vibrato every day for about... 5 months now, and it's really difficult for me. It's very nice hearing you talk about all of these things, the process and the struggles, besides the exercises. Thanks, good video!

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks for letting me know--best wishes on the progress on vibrato!

[@michaelanderson001]

As a self-learning bassist, I found this video very instructive.

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@davidbteague]

Great. I'm recovering from a stroke. Your beginner videos such as this one on vibrato are inspiration to pursue bass rehab. This is much like how I was taught vibrator. Thank yoy.

[@doublebasshq]

Much appreciated, and thanks for watching!

[@FirepowerIGuess]

That's frightening to hear. I hope you're doing better now.

[@lindaslater6522]

Oh my gosh THANK YOU AGAIN JASON HEATH! Your lesson here is fabulous and I feel like I can finally produce a good vibrato. Being in a community orchestra now I’ve been wondering when I would finally be able to do vibrato well enough to incorporate it. This video has made all the difference!

[@doublebasshq]

You're so welcome--thanks for the kind words!

[@rosarylopez3366]

Ngl this humbled me because i realized ive being doing my vibrato really weird? and for 3 years ive been doing it like that 😭😭and finally seeing the proper way i realized its quite difficult for me especially on my pinky so i will be practicing! thank you

[@doublebasshq]

You bet!

[@ClaireO-io4br]

You are amazing!!! I love your videos, bass gets so overlooked :( I have a solo in a week and your videos have helped me find songs!!

[@doublebasshq]

I'm so glad-thanks for the kind words!

[@patriciajohnston9926]

Love the wobble with the finger tips on side of the bass… super helpful for teaching. 👍 Would love to see how you teach thumb position vibrato as well, please!

[@doublebasshq]

Coming soon!

[@orinobrien6955]

I think someone (maybe Barry Green?) told me to think of hitting a pencil someone will hold underneath your hand as you practice vibrating. Make the heel of your left hand gently hit the pencil, held about an inch or two below the heel of your hand. The soda-can analogy is great too!

[@doublebasshq]

I love it, Orin--thanks!

[@unnietodedominga9113]

Thank You very much Jason

[@Patrick_Bruno]

Great stuff Jason. Many thanks ! I cannot wait to hear what you have to say about vibrato in thumb position (actually even between the neck block and the octave, I find this tricky).

[@doublebasshq]

Coming soon!

[@bobjacobson858]

I recall being told that vibrato on a bass should be slower than it would be on the smaller instruments. I don't if that was one person's opinion or if it represents a consensus.

[@doublebasshq]

It’s a complicated topic for sure. I think that, in general you’ll have a slower vibrato the lower you go in pitch.

[@bobjacobson858]

@@doublebasshq Thanks!

[@dawg15j16]

Thank you

[@doublebasshq]

You bet!

[@pastoo25]

Nice sound Jason. What kind of strings are you using right now? Thanks

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks! I’m using Pirastro Perpetuals in this-good strings!

[@gregdavenio1125]

Hi Jason enjoy your lessons and tips, extremely valuable! I have a question about your video on learning to bow. After you finished practicing , should you remove the rosin from the strings and bow hair( this seams hard to do) does seem to cake on there. Thanks I’ll try to keep an eye out for your answer.

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks for the kind words!! I wipe the strings off with a towel when I’m done playing. I don’t do anything with the bow hair, but every once in a while I’ll comb the hair out with a plastic comb just to break up any residue. I find that, with rosining, it’s better if I start with not enough and then add in until it starts to feel right. Putting on way too much rosin has lead to crusty bow hair for me. I hope that helps!

[@gregdavenio1125]

Thank you so much for your reply, much too learn on the upright bass! Thanks again.@@doublebasshq

[@michaelanderson001]

I am never sure which notes in a bar (a measure for you Americans) you're supposed to play vibrato on. Perhaps you can make suggestions?

[@doublebasshq]

That’s a great video idea, actually-I’ll try to work on something about that. I think it really depends on the style and if you’re playing solo, chamber, orchestral, etc. A quick and dirty guideline might be to aim for vibrato on notes on second or longer, but I think it depends so much on context.

[@MrDanilop45]

👍🏻

[@BellaLoram]

🤘🏽🔥🎻👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@nemo227]

GOOD stuff. When I first decided to entertain myself on my wife's piano I told myself that we didn't learn to tie our shoes instantly but now we can all do it with our eyes closed. Next: learn to juggle 3 oranges. Juggle eggs? Nope, I am not that ambitious.