Help-violin/fiddle vibrato

Subject: Help-violin/fiddle vibrato
From: Glen Reid
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 10:20 AM

Ive been playing AT the fiddle for over 30 years and at my best, I would be considered, fair to middlin.
However the most frustrating part, has been my inability to master a good left hand VIBRATO, so important for sustaining long notes, in slow aeirs etc.
Is there any good and simple techniques to help with this?
Thanks, Glen

Subject: RE: Help-violin/fiddle vibrato
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 10:27 AM

Just wiggle your string finger as you press down and pick the frequency of wiggle to suit your taste. Wow - doesn't that sound wierd!!!!

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Help-violin/fiddle vibrato
From: greg stephens
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 11:18 AM

Glen: play according to your own taste, of course. But vibrato isnt that important, rerally. The majority of folk fiddlers(Irish and British) have never used vibrato, so far as I know. It's creeping into Irish tune playing, certainly, but it's not necessary.

Subject: RE: Help-violin/fiddle vibrato
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 11:21 AM

Some previous discussion on this thread.

The way I learned was to keep the finger in place on the fingerboard and move the hand so the finger rolls from side to side. Imagine you're being fingerprinted. You want to make sure you get the sides of your finger, so you have to press down and sort of roll it. When I learned this, I honestly practiced the motion on pens, the steering wheel, my other hand, and various other non-fingerboard places in addition to the fingerboard.

Subject: RE: Help-violin/fiddle vibrato
From: IanC
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 11:22 AM

This thread might be useful.

:-)