Vibrato - An Explanation & Tips For Singers

A singer achieves vibrato when certain muscles in the throat and neck are sufficiently relaxed so that they vibrate slightly, causing an oscillating sound. Vibrato, although a natural feature of the human voice, is controlled and enhanced through training. It often does not develop in a voice until after puberty.

True vibrato is achieved internally - that means that you should see little to no evidence of the movement. Many singers, and pop singers in particular, create vibrato artificially by moving their jaw up and down rapidly. This incorrect technique can actually cause damage to the vocal mechanisms by promoting tension in the jaw, neck and throat.

For vibrato to add colour and interest to your voice, it must be managed carefully. Singers often allow their vibrato to get out of control to the point that their pitch accuracy is compromised. An excellent exercise is to sing a sustained note without vibrato, and allow the vibrato to open as you crescendo, and then to decrescendo and gradually remove the vibato again.

More Vibrato Resources

Acoustical comparison between samples of good and poor vibrato in singers.: An article from: Journal of Voice

Comments (10) >>

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written by Xavier de Salaberry, August 01, 2007

great note, you def. see way too many singers overusing the vibrato these days.

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written by Zoey, December 29, 2008

it's so annoying when people put in sooooooo much vibrato in songs where just a little bit would be enough.

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written by Allie, March 18, 2009

Ugh, yeah, I hate when people use waaaaaaaay too much vibrato.

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written by Emily, July 02, 2009

Vibrato makes the voice sound pretty, but I can't stand the people who add vibrato. It comes naturally, use it naturally.

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written by sherelle, August 11, 2009

I had this friend who added way too much vibrato to her singing and it completely comprimised her accuracy in pitch. It was really difficult to sing exercises with her because I didn't know which note she was singing half of the time. But she would still be cast as main rolls in heaps of plays. I don't really understand, like whether the directors are looking for that much vibrato, or whether they just couldn't find anyone else. Although she did have great projection, so maybe that was seen as more important then the vibrato? i don't know...

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written by Anna Robbins, November 06, 2009

I understand the over-using of the vibrato thing....when it is used on purpose, it just isn't pretty. When it comes naturally throughout a performance/practice, it is great and adds to the voice.

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written by Maylisa, March 09, 2010

Ever since my sister learned how to vibrato, she does it on every note. It really messes up her pitch, and you can tell it isn't natural.

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written by nobodyscostar, April 17, 2010

any tips on how to get vibrato under control? mine tends to run away from me on sustained notes. i don't feel like i'm straining or pushing... any help would be greatly appreciated!

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written by Kate Rooney, May 03, 2010

I really dont like it when people put in too much vibrato....
but i have strong vibrato particularly on long notes and find it difficult to control... i do however stay in pitch
any tips???

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written by Beth Garfinkel, May 09, 2010

For those of you wondering how to control your vibrato, generally, if it happens when you don't want it too, you're trying to sing too loudly on too little air pressure, or at least, when it happens to me, that's why. To control it, try adding more support from the stomach muscles.

I hope this helps!

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