Cello Vibrato

Vibrato, an annotated guide

7/13/2016

After several years, I have finally finished the sequel to Always Room 4 Cello!

I wanted to make use of a different genre for the next big video project, so when I found myself singing about vibrato to the tune of "Desperado," it just seemed right. Besides, I have found that vibrato tends to be one of the most mysterious and frustrating topics for beginning cellists. It needs attention.

A silly teaser trailer I made for it...

Here's the actual video. I hope you like it!

In an effort to help you "get experimental" with your cello vibrato, the following is a breakdown of the techniques suggested in the song.

The Lyrics

The Explanation

Oh, vibrato, why can’t we get you to happen?
Been doin’ so much tappin’
for so long now.
You’re a hard one
but you’re supposed to be easy,
there’s tension that’s squeezin’ you
but I don’t know how.

I’ll have to try some mini-shifting
or just sliding on a table
or it might be good to move with the opposite hand

You can karate chop your cello
just be sure it’s really stable
or enlist the help of a pretty pushy friend

Oh, vibrato, make sure you start from the elbow
soon you’ll shout out HELL….O
to a nice warm sound
You just shake it, oh shake it
like a polaroid picture
There ain’t no set scripture
except to set your bow down

If you try all this and still use the bow
it’ll change the motion and you won’t know
plus it can cause your whole right arm to want to shake,
But if you tap your cello with your left
and practice the feel of a bow that is kept straight

Oh,vibrato, it could be so super simple
gotta get experimental to find your command
May seem crazy, but it will sneak up and get you
and you’ll never forget--
It’ll feel like shaking your hand.

tappin’: This refers to exercises called "taps" and "sticky taps" explained by Gerald Fischbach in the Art of Vibrato DVD and the Viva Vibrato book series.

mini-shifting: Sometimes it helps to start out with a big shifting motion in the left arm and then slowly narrow the motion until your finger stays in place while your hand and arm still move
sliding on a table: Taking the cello out of the equation can have incredible results!
opposite hand: Sometimes the motion is easier in the right hand--and then you may be able to recreate it more easily in the left.
karate chop: Much like mini-shifts, a chopping motion onto the top cello ribs can be an easy way to get used to the proper arm movement
set your bow down: Practice vibrato motions without the bow at first.
tap your cello with your left
and practice the feel of a bow that is kept straight: When you are ready to try to add the bow, just bow open strings while you move your left arm to tap the cello ribs. This way you can get used to the two arms acting independently and you will be able to eliminate "shaky bow" (when your right arm is inspired by the left's motion to move in conjunction with it).

Get experimental!

What method has worked best for you? Is there some technique you like that I completely left out?

Lets' talk! Leave a comment below--I would love to hear from you.

In the meantime, here are a few videos I really like that deal with cello vibrato in a helpful way. If you don't have much time, watch the first one (top left). The adult amateur cellist in the video speaks very candidly about her frustrations--and offers a logical and fresh approach!