I usually vibrato by pulsating my diaphragm. Is this right?

Question

If not, what am I supposed to do? If it is right, is there anything that I can do to slow it down? It sounds pretty fast.

By the way, the vibrato is for singing, not playing an instrument.

Actually I DID specify what the vibrato was for...see above details

Answer 1

No, if you try to do a vibrato from your diaphragm you're going to have a tremolo like Jonny Mathis. Vibrato originates from within the throat.

Answer 2

Vibrato from the diaphragm is the way to go for a vocalist. Vibrato being from the uvula is not true. Due to health reasons, I have had my uvula removed, and I still sing with a good vibrato.

As far as slowing it down goes, that just takes practice. Spend time with a chromatic tuner and a metronome set at 90. Start on your first pitch and take 4 counts to lower the pitch by 15 cents. Then take 4 counts to bring it back into tune. Then 4 counts to raise it 15 cents above. Then back into tune. Repeat this. Once you are proficient at this, do the exercise over two counts, then one, then twice per beat, then three times, then 5 times per beat. Most professionals sing with between 3 and 7 vibrations per beat depending on the speed and style of the music being sung. Use mainly straight tone in all ensemble singing.

Be patient. You are training muscles here. It takes time. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 3

Depends on what you play. If you play flute, then yes. Anything else, generally no. A woodwind instrument (except flute and clarinet) usually produces a vibrato by lightly changing the pressure on the reed. This does not apply to clarinet, which does not traditionally use vibrato.
Brass players produce vibrato by slightly moving their lower jaw (which should be apart to begin with) up and down, without closing their teeth. This does not apply to horn, which, again, does not use vibrato. Trumpets have another option called a "shake" vibrato in which the instrument is slightly moved in and out, creating alternating pressure on the lips. This produces an extreme vibrato that is used for jazz playing in rare circumstances.

In order to learn to control your vibrato, you should practice vibrating in a rhythm. Set your metronome (a tool all musicians need) to around 92. Practice vibrating eighth notes on a chosen pitch, usually your tuning pitch. Once you have mastered this, start moving up and down the scale vibrating 4 eight notes on each pitch. Then start over at step one with eight note triplets, then sixteenth notes, etc.

One thing you should realize is that vibrato should be part of your sound, not a separate entity. If someone were to walk up to you and comment on your vibrato, then you used too much. It should not be noticeable, that is, except in rare jazz circums\tances, or unless marked on your score.

Hope that helps!

Hint: next time tell what you play so I don't have to write so much! lol

Answer 4

Vibrato's kind of a depending trait. People have different physiques, so it'll vary from one person to another. It takes training to find natural vibrato. Usually it stems from good air flow. It doesn't work if your tounge gets in the way(and in this case, any insecurities you might have when singing) or if you force it too much. My voice teacher always used this mantra "More Air" when i used to have her for singing. So, More air. And keep your back straight with your body relaxed and loose.

Answer 5

According to my teacher, vibrato is from the uvula (the little thing that dangles in the back of the throat). Some people don't have vibrato, but relaxation and practice will bring it out if you do.

Answer 6

A good thing to do is play with your vibrato- really, I play with mine every night before bed, and what I've found is that after a while, you can move it fast or slow, and really gain control. There are moments you'll want it, and moments you need a straight tone- and it is partly from the diaphram, but it's such a slight, unconsious moment.

Answer 7

its a bit of both really, if you sing from the throat you damage your vocal chords, and your larinx etc.. but if you sing from your diaphragm you push yourself more, which causes the vibrato if you watch professional singers when this happens you see that their tongue wobbles abit, which means that they are pushing the sound out with all the muscles in the body, its hard to do this and takes alot of practice, but if youve been singing for only a short time then be careful not to overdo it, i learned the hard way and overdid it too much, and ended up in hospital, with a throat infection and a bruised diaphragm. ive been singing for years now, im 23 and started when i was just 3 years old. ive been studying for 13 years now, and i teach aswell, if you need anymore help do a search on google or yahoo, and youll find all information you need, for singing.

Answer 8

The diafgram is useful to play a tremolo or notes such as thos sung by the Queen of the Night in Mozart's Magic Flute. Is a way to impulse with great force air from your lungs to your vocal chords.

Answer 9

Vibrato is a highly debatable subject it depends on who you ask. where ever you can get a good vibrato for YOU is good. ( my oboe teacher told me that, she also taught voice for a little bit)

Answer 10

Not exactly you stagger your breathing using your diaphram might hurt your system so You should try staggering your breathing to see if that helps good luck!!!!