Controlling Vibrato: Techniques for a Smooth, Polished Sound
Vibrato is an essential part of a singer's toolkit. It adds depth and emotion to your singing, and can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. However, too much or too little vibrato can detract from your performance. That's why it's important to learn how to control your vibrato and use it effectively. In this blog post, we'll explore some techniques for controlling vibrato and achieving a smooth, polished sound.
What is Vibrato?
Vibrato is a natural and rhythmic oscillation of pitch and volume that occurs when a singer sustains a note. It is a result of the slight variation in tension and release of the vocal cords. Vibrato gives the voice a warmer, richer quality and helps convey emotions effectively. Vibrato is a sign of healthy singing, as it indicates that the vocal cords are free from tension and able to move freely.
Why is Controlling Vibrato Important?
While vibrato can enhance a singer's performance, excessive or uncontrolled vibrato can detract from the overall sound. It can make a singer sound shaky, unsteady, or unprofessional. Additionally, some musical styles require a more controlled vibrato, while others call for a more pronounced vibrato. Learning how to control your vibrato can help you create the right sound for the musical style you're performing.
Techniques for Controlling Vibrato
Start with a stable foundation
Before diving into vibrato control, it is essential to establish a stable foundation for your singing. This includes maintaining good posture, practicing proper breathing techniques, and developing solid vocal support. Good posture ensures optimal alignment of the body, allowing for efficient breath control and support. Proper breathing techniques, such as abdominal breathing, enable singers to engage the necessary muscles and produce a controlled and well-supported sound. Developing strong vocal support helps singers maintain control over their vocal folds and prevent excessive vibrato caused by tension or lack of breath support.
Practice sustain exercises
Sustain exercises are a great way to practice controlling your vibrato. Start by choosing a comfortable note, and sustain it on an "ah" or "oh" sound. As you sustain the note, focus on maintaining a steady pitch and volume, without allowing your vibrato to become too pronounced. This exercise helps develop the coordination and muscle memory needed to regulate the vibrato speed and depth. To add variety, experiment with different tempos and dynamics while sustaining the note, gradually increasing the difficulty as your control improves.
Use your support muscles
Engaging your support muscles can help you control your vibrato and prevent it from becoming too pronounced. As you sing, imagine that you are gently hugging your abdominal muscles inwards towards your spine. This will help you create a stable and supported sound, which can prevent excessive vibrato.
Work with a vocal coach
Working with a vocal coach can be tremendously beneficial when it comes to controlling vibrato. A vocal coach can provide personalized guidance, help you identify areas for improvement, and give you specific exercises tailored to your voice. They can also teach you techniques for adjusting and refining your vibrato based on the style of music you're singing. I happen to do just that.
Mastering the control of vibrato is essential for singers to achieve a smooth, polished sound. By establishing a stable foundation, practicing sustain exercises, experimenting with vibrato speed and depth, engaging the support muscles, and seeking guidance from a vocal coach, singers can develop the necessary control and versatility to make vibrato an expressive and captivating element of their performances. With consistent practice and guidance, controlling vibrato becomes an integral part of a singer's artistry, connecting with the audience on a deeper emotional level and creating a polished and professional sound.
