Violin Forum/Message Board

[DynamicMoves]

I've been playing the violin since I was very young, don't even remember the age. I've fluctuated on and off of practicing, as well as having teachers. Currently, I am getting more interested again.
With lack of practice, your skill leaves you. I lost parts of my ear, but mostly my vibrato.
I've been working on it, but are there any exercises anybody would recommend?
What different vibratos are useful on what?
How frequently should I use vibrato during chamber rehearsals while I'm learning to use it?
Should I be using vibrato on scales? I don't want to try to hide my intonation.

[Jack Rushing]

Vibrato is a tricky, interesting, subject. There are many possible answers
to your question.
I would suggest going to YouTube, and listen, and watch some of the
demonstrations there of the different ways to do it, and practice them.
If that does not help, find a good violin music teacher. Cheers.

[Shirley]

Dy - Maybe you miss your "ear" and your vibrato, but you haven't lost your sense of humor!

You remember rightly that one doesn't want to use vibrato on scales where the object is intonation. But I'm now practicing a few scales, as per my teacher's instruction, as a vibrato exercise.

I wish I could help you with an exercise other than Jack's directive. It sure doesn't come easily to me, and I am still working on it. There are so many different vibratos as you know: hand, arm, finger, slow, fast (I just read that Heifetz used a very small rapid vibrato originating from the fingers, so, whatcha gonna do?)

Good luck with your re-entry!

Shirley

[mshikibu]

See:

Can you give me some advice about how to play the "wiggly thing," i.e., vibrato?
http://beststudentviolins.com/PedagogyTech.html#5

[lovetheviolin]

I realize i am no violin player being as today was my first lesson; however, i have done a lot of research on the violin before today (though I still hope I do not speak in ignorance). During my quest for finding out violin tips and tricks and watching people on YouTube, I discovered they do have a LOT of violin instruction, and a lot on vibrato, so I would imagine if a good instructor is not there to guide you, these videos would be best. Once more, I've only been playing for a day, so I myself understand the merit I bear, but to me it seems to make sense. Good luck! =)
_________________
That's the beauty of music. They can't get that from you... Haven't you ever felt that way about music?
-Andy Dufresne; The Shawshank Redemption

[DynamicMoves]

Thank you all for your help, I've looked into the link mshikibu left, an so far it's interesting.
I'll be looking at youtube videos now that my school is done with orchestra, we had our last concert yesterday. My violin is actually home regularly now.

I was looking at one video, and the violinist seemed to have a mostly solid note, with a little vibrato at the end of it. It seems like vibrato is somewhat a statement of your character and style of your own personal playing habits.