Vibrato Q's

[btrag]

I am practicing vibrato on my fretless and have a few questions:

1. Should I practice vibrato using all four fretting fingers? It seems like my index finger works best because it has calluses and glides smoothly on the string.

2. How far back and forth should I "shake" my fretting finger? When I watch other bassists/celloists it doesn't seem like they are sliding back and forth at all. It looks like their finger is holding the note and it is just their wrist that is pivoting back and forth.

[Phalex]

Well, it seems that cello players use all their fingers. I usually use the index or middle. I guess if it feels right, do it.

The finger in question really doesn't move a whole lot on the fretboard. It just kind of vibrates.

I mostly use vibrato for effect on fretted or fretless. The place I find it to be most necessary is on the higher registers of a fretless. It makes intonation a whole lot easier because the note in question is always in motion.

[fryBASS]

Pracitce doing it with all your fingers. The pinky is the hardest, but you should at least have the index, middle, and ring finger. You dont really need the pinky too much, but I suppose it's good to have.

You don't have to move it too much. You don't want to totally change the note (unless, you do, I suppose). Just a little will do the trick. Its all in the wrist.

[ralphbluecoat]

practicing vibrato on all three fingers is good because you don't always hafta slide around just to use your index finger. it can take a bit of work so don't expect it to come instantly. yes is true that cellists/bassists do not slide there finger but pivot. I don't play as much fretless as id like but pivoting (moving your hand back and forth but keeping your finger in place) gives a very nice lyrical sound. i don't suggest sliding it back and forth because it makes more of a wah-wah kinda sound. as for speed, you don't really need a fixed speed. i know celloists/bassists use different vibrato methods depending on the era of music. To me, slow vibratos are good for those sad songs with long bass notes. it has a... sad?... tone (to me). but a bit faster vibratos just make the note accented a bit. its doesn't strike me as being sad its great for makin ur bass sing.

[Alec W. Conway]

I practice with all 4 fingers. Pinky isn't that hard to get once you get the hang of it.

Personnally, I like to un-anchor my thumb from behind the neck when doing a vibrato, it gives me a bigger amplitude, and I find the movement is easier to make when my hand is free.

[Koki]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IedHYS70-Po
This may help.