Understanding Vibrato on Guitar

Okay, so I'd like to talk to you now about perhaps one of the most expressive techniques that guitar has to offer: vibrato.

Where to Apply Vibrato

Firstly, let's discuss where you might apply vibrato within a melody.

• Typically, you would apply it over a sustained note.
• In a busy melody with notes passing by quickly, applying vibrato to every single note is unnecessary.
• Vibrato really shines when you allow a note to ring out and breathe for a little bit, adding a bit of finesse with some vibrato at the end.

For example, a simple phrase might sound like this:

"I'm not applying vibrato to every one of those notes. That would sound terrible."

Picking Your Moments

• Often, vibrato is applied at the end of a phrase.
• You can see that I'm applying vibrato there with my first finger only.

Things to Consider

When working on adding vibrato, consider the following:

• Style of the piece
• Tempo of the piece
• Feel of the piece

For instance, if you have a chilled-out slow ballad, a huge aggressive vibrato would be out of place. Instead, you'd want something more subtle and refined.

Variations in Vibrato

Two key aspects to vary in your vibrato are:

• Speed: How fast or slow you're vibrating the string.
• Width: How far you're displacing the string compared to a wide vibrato.

Examples of Vibrato Styles

• A great example of a wide vibrato is Zakk Wylde, his vibrato is huge.
• For a more subtle approach, consider a relaxed bluesy piece.

Vibrato is very personal; it's unique to each player.

• Some players use a circular vibrato for more subtlety.
• Another method is a classical approach, moving with the grain of the string for a softer vibrato.

Common Misconceptions

A common misconception with vibrato is that you need to go both ways.

"You don't need to do that."

Demonstration

• When I play a note now, my vibrato goes towards the floor and then returns to the center.
• It's not going to the floor, then to the ceiling, and so forth.

Here is how it should be done:

1. Either just down or just up.
2. Here's vibrato going both ways, which just doesn't work.

It's essential to choose your direction. Since we're in the middle of the neck, there's no risk of falling off either side.

Personal Preference

If I'm using my first finger for vibrato, I usually go towards the floor.

"It sounds more controlled for me."

Experimenting with Vibrato

• Experiment with different speeds and widths of vibrato.
• Start off slowly and gradually increase speed and width.

Timing of Vibrato

How soon you introduce vibrato to the note is important.

• If we return to that earlier phrase, listen closely:
  • The first time, I'll apply vibrato immediately after playing the last note.
  • The second time, I'll let the note breathe for half a second before applying vibrato.

"It sounds better."

Letting the Note Breathe

Often, letting the note breathe allows the pitch to establish itself. Decorate it with vibrato instead of attacking it straight away.

Using Different Fingers for Vibrato

Lastly, you can use any finger for vibrato.

• A common practice is to use your third finger for more width and control while supporting it with another finger behind it on the string.

Technique Demonstration

• Here's what it looks like with two fingers on the string for control, rather than just one.
• If playing with just one finger sounds weak, adding a second finger provides more stability.

"If you've got lots of overdrive on, resting your first finger across the strings keeps everything quiet."

Conclusion

I hope this is useful! Incorporating vibrato into your playing is worth prioritizing.

No matter how basic you feel your abilities are, it's a truly expressive tool that can elevate your guitar playing. So, be sure to check it out!