Double Bass starting vibrato

[EveLondon]

Hello, I'm a new member from London. I've been playing double bass for just under a year (previously a pro flute player, but been working outside music for over 20 years). Really enjoying the bass but would like to start using vibrato and would be grateful for any tips/practice hints as to how to begin vibrato. Thanks

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Moved to orchestral technique. If this is more of a jazz concept you're looking for, let me know and I'll move it over.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

The way I think of vibrato is that it's like two things: the start and finish of a position shift with nothing in between, and like shaking hands with the bass (ok, left handed, but still). It's that same sort of reflexive shaking, a bit like flicking water off your fingers.

For a start, practice vibrato on long notes, and scales. You should do scales without vibrato as well, because the vibrato will obscure the intonation a bit, but they help in getting the fingering transitions in the vibrato when you're starting it.

The tricky bit is to keep it under control, and use the appropriate amount. That is part of the dynamics and the shape of the musical line, and really a matter of practice and making a musical decision as to what is appropriate.

 

[jgbass]

I stated a thread on this topic several weeks ago and received many good responses on vibrato technique and how to get this going.

Try doing a search and it will be there.

 

[davidzgeorge]

heres a link to jgbass's thread. theres a lot of good suggestions there:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387976

 

[godoze]

Kurt is correct about shifting. The most difficult part,imo, next to controlling your vibrato is continuing the vibrato through the shift.

 

[tenorbass]

When I do vibrato my hand turns back and forth. The wrist moves back and forth. So if the first finger was vibrating the 234 would move up and down.

It works very well for me.

 

[thedbassist]

This will help with a nice vibrato: Link Removed