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| This discussion includes members-only video content Hi Beth and fellow VLers, I'm posting my first real roadblock on this journey of vibrato. I've stopped over the last couple of days hoping that the grey matter upstairs could sort out what the problem is. I think I know what I'm doing wrong-instead of the movement of the wrist making the fingers move up and back I'm moving both the wrist and the arm. Yes, I know what you must be thinking and yes it is as awkward to accomplish as it is to painfully look at. So, have at it, I'm willing perhaps not able (as in vibrato) to try anything. Have a look at your own peril. Shield your eyes if you do not want your vibrato to see it and tremble. Two videos warts and all. Ray 9 Responses Posted: July 7, 2013 Last Comment: July 8, 2013 |
Posted: July 8, 2013 |
Hi Beth, Initial first reactions is that your suggestion of focusing on the wrist while applying a small amount of pressure is working. I'm also finding out how tense my fingers, palm, and wrist really are. As for growing deeper roots they will establish themselves in their own good time. For now, I'm happy to be making incremental progress by focusing on the wrist and to ever so slowly applying pressure on the harmonic A. My next marker will be to have 50% pressure, all four strings, all four fingers, on the harmonic G, D, A, and E, and with the bow at 8 pings to a bow. Cheers, Ray p.s. To time frame :)))) |
Posted: July 8, 2013 |
Hi Eileen, oops sorry about that! I was on my phone and saw a violin icon and thought about when yours was one before....I think! Yes it was meant for Sue. |
Posted: July 8, 2013 |
Thank you Everyone for your comments and suggestions for improvement with my journey with integrating vibrato into a piece of music. First I'm impressed Beth with a video response since we all know how time consuming making a video can be. Anne, I believe you and Beth are saying the same thing with regards to my 'finger push-ups'. You are right, Beth, that my focus went from the wrist to the action of the fingers. I've got very little pressure with the thumb and the first knuckle of the first finger never touches the neck. I really like the analogy of the fingers slowly growing roots and establishing themselves to the pitch. Almost like blades of grass. I appreciate how you think outside of the box in finding solutions to a problem, very cool. So, with that I'll be off to the practice area of my apartment and give this a shot. Focus on the wrist, focus on the wrist, focus on the wrist. Grow roots at the tip of the finger. Got it. :) Cheers, Ray |
 Beth Blackerby Posted: July 8, 2013 |
This discussion includes members-only video content Hi Ray, You'll see in this video that your peers on right on track. I don't think it matters terribly which way you start the vibrato, however, I think it makes sense to start toward you. In my observation of vibrato (with sensitive audio software), I've found that my theory of the vibrato motion is true. At least here is what I do: I initiate the vibrato with a tiny impulse toward me, then follows a larger movement back toward the scroll. Then you see the settled even oscillation. I also believe the driving force of the vibrato is with the muscles that pull the hand toward us. |
Posted: July 8, 2013 |
Hi Eileen, This was my suggestion to help, since the other way was giving Ray a hard time. The motion that really feels like it's going forward (towards the bridge) is the dropping of the fingering, then the next step is the rebound of the finger rocking back towards the scroll. Otherwise you really have to place the pad of the fingers down on the string first then creep up onto the tip, which already creates a weak feel of the fingers because the finger joint is near collapsing straight. |
Posted: July 8, 2013 |
It is a lot harder to do vibrato when you are applying pressure to the strings, isn't it? Your wrist is not moving in the direction you practiced all these months. Maybe going back to stage 1 exercise for five minutes, then stages 2 and 3 for five minutes each prior to this practice would help fix the movement in your mind. Rowell, I thought Beth had told us it doesn't really matter if the first movement is toward the bridge. I know there are different thoughts on this, but I've been practicing forward movement first too! |
islam dodeen Posted: July 8, 2013 |
Hi Ray, looking forward to what Beth has to say. My impression is that you are moving your hand at least partially up and down instead of back and forth. Are you actively contracting and stretching your fingers? The movement of the first finger joint (the one closest to the finger tip) should be passive, a result of moving your hand back and forth. Also, the movement of the first finger knuckle is more pronounced in arm vibrato; I believe you are developing a wrist vibrato, aren't you? As far as I know, with wrist vibrato it is more a rocking back and forth movement at the finger tip; the movement at the first knuckle is less pronounced. If in doubt, go back to stage two and wait for better input. You'll get there. Best wishes with it! |
Posted: July 7, 2013 |
Hi Ray, Your starting motion is backwards. You should not be starting the vibrato motion going towards you, it should be going away from you towards the scroll. Think of fanning your fingers open when you do the motion going backwards towards the scroll. |
Posted: July 7, 2013 |
George |