Vibrato is a fluctuation of a pitch to "warm up" the sound. Though arm, wrist, and finger vibrato are all used, wrist vibrato is most widely used. Vibrato is an essential part of a mature string sound, but can be difficult to incorporate into your playing. Violin and viola vibrato is generally considered more difficult than cello and bass vibrato. Try these exercises to help develop your vibrato.

1. Finger Flex:

Dangle finger index loosely. Place tip of finger in the crease of the thumb without pressing down. Flex the knuckle back and forth rhythmically.

2. Basic Motion:

Violin/Viola: Hold up left arm with hand facing you. Without moving the arm, use the wrist to wave to yourself. "Hi, me!" Try filling an empty film canister [what's that?] with dry rice and shake it towards and away from yourself with your wrist, listening to the rice to ensure rhythmic stability.

Cello/Bass: Hold up your left arm with the elbow pointed out. Rotate the entire arm (not just the wrist) like you're shaking a can of soda.

3. Finger Tap:

A) Using your instrument in playing position, anchor your thumb under the heel of the neck. Curve your fingers and, with the basic vibrato motion, gently tap the right side of the instrument rhythmically.

• Violin/Viola: Be sure you are moving only at the wrist.

B) Repeat part A, but, with the thumb still anchored, reach over and tap on the left side of your instrument.

4. String polish:

A) Slide your 2nd finger along each string up and down the fingerboard.

• Violin/Viola: Again, make sure your wrist is creating this motion.

B) Repeat part A, but keep your thumb "glued" to the side of the instrument.

C) Repeat part A, but keep your thumb AND 3rd finger "glued" down. Slide your 2nd finger toward and away from your 3rd finger, still using only your wrist (Violin/Viola).

5. Wa-wa Finger Slide (Violin and Viola):

Place your 3rd finger on the D string and play the G pitch. Using your wrist, move your third finger up a half step to G-sharp. Still using the wrist, move the 3rd finger back to G. Repeat, gradually increasing speed to create a half step "wa-wa" slide between the two pitches.

Make sure you are using only your wrist to create this effect.

6. Vibrato practice:

Play simple tunes or even a scale slowly. Focus on vibrating on each note, using the wrist to rock the finger back and forth (toward and away from you, not side to side). Keep your vibrato even and relaxed. If you have trouble keeping your instrument up, place a cloth around the scroll and prop it gently in a corner for support. Cello and bass players can prop their elbow against a wall to practice rotating the arm.

Begin incorporating vibrato into your playing as much as possible. It will most likely seem awkward at first, but the more you do it, the more natural it will become. As you become more advanced, you will learn to vary your vibrato according to the dynamic and style of music you are playing.