Violin Tips: Improve Your Vibrato (How to Play the Violin or Viola)

Violin teacher and "Strings" magazine contributor Laurel Thomsen guides you through ways to produce warm vibrato tone. For more tips on violin technique, see our other "How to" videos on this channel and visit us at store.allthings....
Also, fighting a squeaky E string? Check out these article:
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[@AugustMilli]

I am having such a hard time getting vibrato down at all :-(

[@allthingsstrings]

The song at the very opening is an original tune. The piece used in the rest of the video is an excerpt from Salut D'Amor by Edgar Elgar.

[@June-qw4mc]

Helped so much. thanks laura, i really had a trouble with fast stiff vibrato, and you cleared the idea for me up.

[@Olivman84]

This is brilliant! Very clear, practical and to the point.

[@travismyers1848]

I'd sell my soul for my fingers to be as long as hers

[@matthaios9390]

Travis Myers buy smaller violin

[@lalabest1aj]

MaTT Hew depends on your arm length not finger length

[@lukerozmajzl196]

Haha! Paganini - right?

[@kaninavalentini9962]

XD didn't expect this to be the first thing I read in the comments

[@jub8891]

then you wouldn't have a soul though

[@annderby6295]

Thanks for posting. Appreciate the detailed breakdown of the mechanics along with the detailed explanation. Hopefully it works for me.

[@stevegray2091]

Thank you. This is one of about 4 videos that I watch to finally learn vibrato correctly. I had been using a technique adapted from guitar and learned it was totally wrong. After one month, I have down the "siren" sound and am at the point of completing 4 cycles of back and to the target pitch at 40 bpm. Hopefully, I will have a controlled vibrato in a couple months. Thanks again for you very clear instruction.

[@emmachen4162]

I'm still having a hard time getting my vibrato down. Do you mind telling me the other 3 videos you used to learn vibrato? It would really help.

[@laurelthomsen]

If it's not the more obvious result of too much pressure, next I'd check your sounding point. The bow needs to be closer to the bridge the higher up the fingerboard you play and the E string is particularly unforgiving for this. We often think it's something in the left hand (intonation, vibrato) when it may actually be the bow. My bowing guide with Strings has a chapter about this as well as general troubleshooting. Cheers!

[@chaitanyabhardwaj6371]

Ma'am you're great at making these tutorials! Keep it up

[@angelaquino3730]

thanks this really helped for my competition!

[@huiligean6049]

Wow I love that intro😙

[@ZahraAfa]

thank you so much! it's really helpfull!

[@stere599]

thank you

[@isaiahkaiawe9701]

That actually helped! Thanks :)

[@cocomacandbloo3]

Thank you so much!

[@AM-nw5qg]

Thank you!!

[@Jay-fq8oy]

Thank you

[@earlle3406]

Helped alot! *XD*

[@vahuaxiong4017]

i keep ending up shaking my whole violin around ;(

[@c0wpredator]

I had this problem at the start. What you need to do is not press down when vibrato, put rocking side to side. Yes it still presses down but focus on going side to side (so forwards and backwards) rather than pressing it up and down.

[@mari-lm4ox]

Va Hua Xiong SAME!!!!

[@capitalsfan7413]

Va Hua Xiong. Same...

[@jub8891]

it means your violin is happy

[@fluterific00]

Isn't that last piece you played from Avonlea? Gus Pike's theme? Great choice! Thanks for the vibrato tips. I'm getting back into it.

[@tajolariffin6147]

good

[@TheSkyCaLL]

That holloween sound happen with my pinky. I noticed that pinky vibrato is easier if it is close with my ring finger. It is quite difficult for me to do pinky vibrato if there is a gap e.g. pressing D/re on the A string with my ring finger then E/mi with my pinky compared to pressing only D#/Eb. Should I shift my arm half step in order to make a good pinky vibrato?

[@chazworm3]

I kept getting some funky harmonic that sounds Jimi Hendrix feedback which distracts me from my lesson

[@melissacurry9766]

I get vibrato now thanks

[@allthingsstrings]

I've added a couple of links to the video description (KZbin does not permit links in replies)

[@bjjking1000]

Strings Magazine should one lose that third contact point with the neck even when playing? or only for the vibrato part? thank you for the video

[@nathaniadevi4179]

what song did she played on the opening

[@maryfrancynecastroverde2886]

Ariana Grande salut d' amour.

[@stilbia]

What violin do you have? It's beautiful!

[@mailu6560]

Question: how many strings are on a violin/viola? Brain: I know there’s 4 strings Eye: I swear I saw 8 strings 😶

[@amarnathde6032]

hello, its been almost 5 month since i have started the violin. although its early to start vibrato but can u please tell me ,when u perform vibrato, does the thumb still stays on the side of the neck or under? does the thumb help to support the force that is given upon the by the finger with which i am doing the vibrato or is it just the shoulder and the chin that is taking the load? thanks in advance.

[@rhiannonjacobsen6256]

Amarnath De you need to have your thumb supporting the instrument but when I do vibrato I put my thumb farther under the neck, so it goes from the side to almost completely underneath. But everyone is different so you just need to find a place for your thumb that feels comfortable.

[@wensunkeh2030]

Amarnath De 丩

[@peymansadeghian]

Hi there, Is there any written etude for practicing Vibratos? Pls help me to find a pdf if there is any online pdf☺️

[@janscott602]

I just started violin two weeks ago and I'm finding it a lot easier than I predicted probably because I play guitar. I can already play dozens of tunes by ear. However the vibrato is just nuts. I can't figure out how the violIn doesn't fall down when you release your hold. Am I supposed to keep the violin suspended in air just using neck grip? I know vibrato can take months to get so I'm not worried but it seems a real mystical art.

[@MichaelYISRAEL]

ery helpfull

[@coryanselmo6974]

My right hand moves same like the left hand when I do a vibrato, it make me difficult to bow properly..how to fix it..??

[@laurelthomsen]

Interesting! I've actually never seen that particular issue, just quite a few students who move their lips of all things with their vibrato. I'd try vibrato exercises without the bow. It's not necessary to add it right away. Get the basic motion down and then add the bow when you're ready to fine tune the sound. Hopefully by that time your hands will mind their own jobs!

[@schmuelsons]

Bob Sieghart exactly what I've been asking. You're not alone. I have just begun playing this instrument last month and is getting nowhere near to making a good vibrato sounds. It's very disappointing but I'll try to make an improvement no matter how minor in this department. To be honest, it's been very disappointing so far.

[@schmuelsons]

Bob Sieghart exactly what I've been asking. You're not alone. I have just begun playing this instrument last month and is getting nowhere near to making a good vibrato sounds. It's very disappointing but I'll try to make an improvement no matter how minor in this department. To be honest, it's been very disappointing so far.

[@master72734]

+Schmuelsons Reidl try "tutorial como hacer vibrato" is in sspnish but you can see what he does he makes it look more simple than all those videos I found aroun youtube is a bered man look for t

[@master72734]

+Oswaldo De La Rosa this is the video "Tutorial sobre el vibrato en el violín" l

[@EJsacasa]

I have a problem with my fourth finger in that it locks up and then suddenly snaps into the string. It causes lack of freedom especially in higher positions. Do you know what causes this?

[@davidluiz4732]

Gostei !!!

[@lauren5585]

when i do vibrato with my first finger it tends to hit the scroll. any suggestions? thanks.

[@June-qw4mc]

My hand suddenly stiffed. after i had a very strong vibrato that it was overly strong. that i had to slow it down. it suddenly stiffed and slowed down. what shall i do? i have a solo performance in 6 days.

[@dabonem5317]

very late reply but if it happens again try practicing octaves, tenths, fifths and etc

[@traditionalirishmusic9550]

How do you get to stop your fore arm moving completely, when I rocked my hand backward my finger flattens but I get movement in my fore arm is this normal, I would greatly appreciate it if you found time to answer my question, if not though I understand

[@leaheverly118]

What is the song opening called? I need to know. -o- •_•

[@mezhiiobelho6881]

Salut d'amour. Elgar. OP 12....

[@master72734]

+Leah Everly (Lea) SALUT DÄMOR thats the name

[@olivialee412]

does anyone know what the song she started with called?

[@candacedelvalle6512]

Question: I can easily vibrate on the 2nd and 3rd finger but struggle with the first and 4th finger. My hand is not "gripping" per say but it feels as if I can't get much motion in the hand while playing with the 1st finger especially.

[@TheGeographyWatch]

If I were you, practice your 1st finger vibrato in 3rd position rather in 1st position. It is much easier that way.

[@candacedelvalle6512]

Jiang Yuyuan thank you! I'll try that.

[@dashibogi]

What is the piece u were playing called?

[@Loke765]

I don't know why after i bought a new violin, i can't really do the vibrato, and the shoulder rest and very uncomfortable. Is there a way to solve it?

[@eshalshaikh94]

+Loke765 you didn't get the right fit fir yourself

[@beatrizelenamejiahernandez1449]

maravillosas clases,lástima que sean en inglés.

[@raysofsunshineray9179]

What the name of the piece you played at the very beginning?

[@gang6627]

Salut d amour my bad

[@Eitanfd124]

Whats that song you played at the beginning of the video?

[@grammatikerfanatiker]

YoMamaLost Salut d'amour by Elgar.

[@derekwang6249]

I can't get my vibrato to get nearly as fast as yours at the beginning of the vid

[@danielmpedreira]

The string is Evah Pirazzi Gold? Very good the sound :D

[@laurelthomsen]

Yep. Love them.

[@danielmpedreira]

Laurel Thomsen They are durable? Thanks!

[@laurelthomsen]

Daniel Martins Pedreira Depends on how much you play. They certainly aren't going to last as long as steel, but they're comparable to other synthetics. I find they last the longest if you're good about cleaning off the rosin after you play. They do break in really, really fast, which is nice. I even changed them the afternoon of a show once and only had to tune up twice. Obligatos are my other favorite and a bit less expensive.

[@danielmpedreira]

I'm now playing with obligato. I think my violin needs more projection, complexity and brilliance. This time is better. I'm curious as to E rope say is wonderful. Use the E Oliv gold, for now is the best I've ever used.

[@laurelthomsen]

Daniel Martins Pedreira The Oliv is nice. I find the gut's tuning doesn't really settle in though. Are you just using the E string? The Evah definitely has more projection etc. than the Obligato and the regular set is louder than the gold set which is in between the two. Too loud for my ears, but for a softer violin I think they'd be a good choice.

[@7Tempest]

dam i was doing it all wrong for months

[@eshalshaikh94]

+William Wang lol

[@alinam.9389]

I used to think my vibrato was very good, but now that i've watched this, I notice that it's kinda uneven I dunno

[@deltafour1212]

I'll be darn. All this time I was doing it wrong

[@dyzuko6029]

I can do vibrato on my own without help it takes months to get it right from a video or without video

[@tianasophiaaa]

then why are you here?

[@Aviance1931]

is it bad to have long nails for this? >~

[@popoyo4ever]

Yes

[@easilyoffended3410]

+Lucas Sebastián No, you should not have long nails on either hand. It can also affect bow grip.

[@HaciendaDurazo]

And here am I doing a wonderful vibrato, but I watch the video, anyway 😂😂😂

[@Sci-Portal]

I CANT I DONT HAVE A CHIN REST I LOST IT :(

[@eshalshaikh94]

+Christopher Stronstad I never use one...

[@ec9873]

vibrato should never be lowering the pitch

[@rawrimadino_]

E C Vibrato should be lowering the pitch. The human ear naturally favors to hear higher tones. If vibrato increased the initial pitch, all that would be heard is the raised pitch with no fluctuating tones. By lowering the initial note, the ear will be able to hear it along with the note change easier.

[@BtsARMY-hr3cl]

Fk how

[@stefanstojadinovic2486]

man my 50$ violin sounds so shitty you dont even know if youre doing vibrato or not

[@tratymorg]

You are making this too difficult

[@fredchu6693]

I am not sure if a first grader would understand that.

[@laurelthomsen]

+Fred Chu No, I teach a bit differently with young kids!

[@eshalshaikh94]

+Fred Chu lol