Problems with vibrato on the E string.

Technique and Practicing: My vibrato does not seem to be as effective on the E string as on the other three strings.

From Brian Kelly
Posted May 6, 2012 at 11:10 PM

Is vibrato more difficult on the E string ? I am in the process of developing (wrist) vibrato. I have got something going but it needs much more work. I find that I have the most trouble with the E string. There does not seem to be as much variation in tone as the other strings ie. it does not sound like it is 'wobbling' as much as the other strings.
Is this common ? Is it due to the position of the E string on the far right of the fingerboard or is it caused by the thinner diameter of the string itself ? Should the E string be treated differently with respect to vibrato ?

From Scott Cole
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 05:46 AM

Brian,
It wouldn't be unusual for vibrato to feel different in different positions. We all have comfortable and less-comfortable positions.
Perhaps you need to experiment with an arm vibrato?

It would also not be unusual for a violin's response to vibrato input to vary from string to string. If your e-string is bland and lacking in harmonic content, it's entirely possible that you'll have to work harder to achieve the color change you hear on the other strings. You can also find this phenomena in violins or strings that are too highly colored with harmonics--you have to work harder. A violin's response to vibrato is key to its playability.

From Diane Allen
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 02:55 PM

Brian - try moving your left elbow in different positions. Sometimes if you move your elbow towards the left it helps.

Smiles! Diane

From Michael Crawford
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 07:15 PM

I think getting vibrato on different strings and positions takes a slightly different type of movement, and the string(s) that are most difficult vary from person to person. Personally, G string was the hardest for me and E was the easiest.

What really helped me to get vibrato in the end was doing focused vibrato practice for each finger on each string on each position. I started off with very wide and extremely slow vibrato and only began to speed it up once I could get a consistent pulse (however slow it may be) at one speed. This video demonstrates this clearly, and it's the one thing that finally helped me get vibrato: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8OT7EFKE78

Interview: Frank Almond

Violinist Frank Almond tells the life story of the 1715 Lipinski Strad in his new recording, "A Violin's Life."

Problems with vibrato on the E string.

Interview: Frank Almond

Sponsors