Fretless vibrato

[davewilson5401]

Any tips out there on producing a nice wide vibrato on a fretless? I've tried the typical side to side string stretching guitarists use but I'd really like to learn the finger roll upright bassist use. When I try that, I don't get enough pitch change and I tend to dampen the string. Sliding my finger up and down the string isn't working because of the friction the windings cause. Should I try flat wound strings? Maybe a lighter set? I currently use SIT Strings "Silencers" semi flat 45-65-80-100-120 on my 5-string Carvin LB75

[Edgar664]

Hello. Well I don't have a fretless bass but I play it occasionally. I learned how to do a nice vibrato when I was studying cello, and I don't think it should be very different. Try to do the vibrato from your elbow, not from your wrist. Also, you might want to experiment if you feel (and sound) better if you separate your thumb from the back of the bass neck. And finally try to practise the vibrato with a metronome, maybe this could sound weird but I remember when I was learning this technique my vibrato was very "nervous", practicing with a slow metronome ad playing long notes trying to do eighth and sixteenth notes really helped to develop a nice full vibrato, I hope this helps and excuse my bad english

[Russell L]

I agree to feel it in the elbow. I never could get enough movement just from the wrist, although I feel like that's where it should come from. I did it on upright back when I still played one. Sometimes I still catch myself doing it on my fretted basses, just by habit.

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by davewilson5401

Any tips out there on producing a nice wide vibrato on a fretless? I've tried the typical side to side string stretching guitarists use but I'd really like to learn the finger roll upright bassist use. When I try that, I don't get enough pitch change and I tend to dampen the string. Sliding my finger up and down the string isn't working because of the friction the windings cause. Should I try flat wound strings? Maybe a lighter set? I currently use SIT Strings "Silencers" semi flat 45-65-80-100-120 on my 5-string Carvin LB75

I like TIJF's strings. I use a few vibrato techniques, but from the elbow seems to work best, thumb off the neck. I just worked that out on my own.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by davewilson5401

...I'd really like to learn the finger roll upright bassist use. When I try that, I don't get enough pitch change and I tend to dampen the string. Sliding my finger up and down the string isn't working because of the friction the windings cause...LB75

IMHO, it's not a roll (or a slide), its more of a rock.

From the elbow, sort of, yes—but your finger does not slide. Instead the finger rocks (rotates) off from perpendicular to the string, causing the string to be stopped higher or lower by the rocking motion of your fingertip. Your whole hand is rocking, driven by the lower arm twisting—hence the "from the elbow," metaphor. The finger tip is the "tipping" point.

[StyleOverShow]

Vibrato is an amazing expression tool, thing, whatever. It takes a while to get it but it increases the aural range and it feels/sounds really good when applied tastefully.

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

IMHO, it's not a roll (or a slide), its more of a rock.

From the elbow, sort of, yes—but your finger does not slide. Instead the finger rocks (rotates) off from perpendicular to the string, causing the string to be stopped higher or lower by the rocking motion of your fingertip. Your whole hand is rocking, driven by the lower arm twisting—hence the "from the elbow," metaphor. The finger tip is the "tipping" point.

+1,

I will say, big wide vib while it has it's place, is usually considered an intonation 'get-out', jus' saying.

[Russell L]

Jim is right about the rocking motion. Actually, I can feel it with just my wrist, but on bass it seems to take a wider rock, so the elbow comes into play. It's easier on guitar, even though they have frets. But what really happens (since the fret keeps the position locked in) is that by rocking you are actually changing pressure on the string and pushing down between the frets at differing pressures. You can tell that difference on fretted bass, too, but it's more subtle. Nonetheless, you can hear a little something on fretted bass when rocking your finger as opposed to not doing it at all. Some of it also may come from the fact that you are also applying some pressure perpendicular to the fingerboard, especially if you do it with your thumb off the back of the neck. You can get a similar sound by playing an open string and then pulling perpendicularly on the headstock (ever done that?).

[FretlessDave]

For notes in the upper register,I find I get my best vibrato sounds playing the notes with my ring finger.Maybe other players get good vibrato with other fingers,but for me the ring finger gives me the best control.
Place your finger on the note you want to play..now,as if your finger was glued to the neck,you should be pivoting your left hand,wrist and forearm side to side while the finger stays right on that note.Try getting that motion down first, without picking the note with your right hand.You don't have to pivot fast...just nice and steady.The movement of your left hand is the stretching of the skin on your finger,but keep the finger right on the note. If you watch some videos of violinists playing notes with vibrato,that might also help you out.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Pivot point is your finger, rotate your arm.

In this video, you could see how I make a vibrato...

(this is a demo for the bass, not so much anything musical but you get the idea)

YouTube - SLaPiNFuNK Fretless Bass Example

Playing starts around 45 seconds...