But… but… I thought the vibrato would hide my horrible intonation ;) In all seriousness, thank you for this wonderful lesson. I’ve saved it and will revisit regularly.
Learning the violin was a hard and painful way in my life - it must have been a mixture of many things - that I had traumatic experiences with my teacher, that I didn't quite feel 100% comfortable with the instrument (maybe because oft that?) and wanted to quit many times but my parents wouldn't let me - I always had tension in my left arm and the arm got heavy. And then I couldn't learn the vibrato and I can't until today and this makes me upset after all. I haven't played the violin for years but once in a while it "gets me" and I'd love to just take it and play and if it is just for me - despite of all the experience I had with it. I know that there is a lot of fear because of all that. And I don't know hat to do. Brings me to tears while I am writing this. I just want it to be healed because I know how beautiful this instrument can be.
I hope this doesn't make you upset! If it's been a while, I suggest playing some open strings and finding joy in just producing a sound. It can be very satisfying. Then move on to vibrato when you feel you are ready. There is no time crunch or deadline!
Super helpful, I’m an adult learner. I’ve been learning for 2years now and am finishing up Suzuki book 2. My teacher mentioned we will be visiting vibrato in the near future so this is great advice to get ready.
Thanks Laura. Adult here, having another crack at vibrato. I’ve been trying for several years and really need to return to basics because it’s just not coming together.
Another great video with great advice, thank you, Lora, I'm so glad I've found your channel!❤ I know there are more other good violin tutors on youtube but you're far my favorite one and it's maybe your violin journey that I find so inspiring. . . but also your personality and often so helpful points in your videos.😊Keep going please!!
This is an amazingly helpful video. Thank you. I’m an adult beginner (40yo, ~9 months in) and this is the perfect perspective. It feels like such a taboo to even say vibrato at this stage but I really just want to know that I’m building a good foundation for vibrato when it comes along. On that note, the #1 tip seemed a bit worrisome given that I’ve recently switched to a center chin rest that puts the violin more inside than before. If feels a lot more natural but is that a bad thing for being able to develop vibrato later?
Glad it's helpful! No, I don't think using the center chinrest is a bad thing. As long as it feels comfortable for you. The issues I see with the violin being too much "inside" is mostly when people subconsciously move the violin in front of them, probably to help them see the fingerboard better. This makes for a very unnatural angle and unnatural bend with the arm. In your case, I'm sure it's fine!
Very helpful. Will need to somehow get left wrist and hand more flexible. Right wrist and fingers seem to do a lot better so don't know if plate in left wrist from previous wrist break years ago is causing some of the reduced flexibility. However will keep trying to practice preparing so I can learn this. Also just started playing the violin a year ago after not having learned violin 50 years ago.
Really helpful Laura. Thank you. The joint exercises are a really helpful idea. I'm older, and am concerned that my movement will be too stiff to learn vibrato. This is my 2nd time taking up the violin. Any suggestions for older students would be much, much appreciated
Hi Allie, I've had many older students be able to develop a nice, relaxed vibrato. It's one of those things that takes some time no matter how old you are. This video has more information on exercises you can start very slowly and gradually build up, which is great for getting muscles and joints limbered up. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NvUvrQVRVmc.html
Helpful video. My teacher wants wrist vibrato and she tells me that the thumb must stay toward the pegs and the elbow must be outside the violin slightly underneath the violin, as well as the points that you make in this video. It seems to be too much involved.
You can do it! I think it's fine to learn the basics of vibrato even if you aren't "officially" ready. Train your muscles so that when you are ready to really incorporate vibrato into your playing, you'll be ready. The trick is not letting vibrato practice take over your whole practice routine.
Other RU-vid videos didn't explain stabilizing the violin first before attempting to try a vibrato. Most rookies including me are using their left hand to hold up the violin.... not relaxing. No wonder it never worked. It caused me MORE stress. 😂 thanks - great teaching!
