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 (1) >>

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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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