Pro jazz bassist here, I studied classical for a few years when I was in school but I never got around to actually working on my vibrato, and this video is just heavenly clear and nice ! Makes me motivated again to work on it. Thanks a lot !
As a jazz bass player I've always envied the classical players for their beautiful vibrato. Now I can finally learn it too thanks to your great tutorial! Thank you so much! Will need a lot of practice...
Great instruction. And finally someone who can teach thumb vibrato! (when I asked a previous teacher - and I'm talking about a very accomplished player - he said.. "erm.. just try avoid doing vibrato with your thumb!" - well your lesson puts paid to that notion - thanks!).
Great lesson. Vibrato is always a great thing to practice especially for me because it's easy to get lazy and sloppy with it. Also I would love to see a lesson on string crossing in the thumb positions. I always get hung up in spots. thanks again and keep up the amazing work
I appreciate these videos. Life's gotten busy since the first time i watched this, and I'm trying to keep up with bass. Realized my vibrato needed work, so here I am again.
Thank you for this lesson! I'm on my own for a little bit until i get an instructor and have been playing for about 4 months. Very excited about adding this into my practice routine. Your explanations and exercises are so easy to understand.
Thanks a lot for the explanations... Really helps. Even with a weekly lesson, there are so many things to learn, your tutorials appear as an learning accelerator. Thanks a lot.
I thought vibrato looked impossible, but this you all make it look so easy! This really helps because im in my school’s orchestra, and I play the double bass.
Muchas gracias por esta lección Lauren!! Es muy clara tu explicación, ya la estoy poniendo en práctica con el metrónomo en varias divisiones rítmicas. No tenía muy claro el movimiento de la mano para el vibrato, tanto en la zona grave como en la de los agudos, donde se hace a 45 grados, lo explicas todo muy bien. Tengo un buen profesor en Argentina pero todavía no hemos trabajado mucho esta técnica. He visto muchos de tus videos, excelente todo. Te felicito!!!
The challenges I have are producing vibrato in the transition-to-thumb-position area, the heel. It's much harder to vibrate consistently when my thumb isn't directly opposite my finger, or when my thumb is on the side of the heel. Also, connecting notes with continuous vibrato isn't easy for me, mostly when shifting from a higher to a lower note.
Excellent lesson. I especially like the part about practicing vibrato in actual subdivisions of the time of the music. I find that players who are aware of the rhythm of their vibrato tend to sound much more organic. Of course there is also a place for unmeasured vibrato, but I think it always sounds better as a choice that a default.
I am just starting thumb position on cello and COULD NOT FIND a good teaching on vibrato except your video!! If you know of a good cellist or teacher tell him or her to upload a video on thumb position vibrato ON CELLO!
amazing as a fretless electric base player it helps to get the hang of it on position of the D harmonic on the G string (7th "fret") since in this position the arm is more relaxed. It also works for gamak (Indian classical) ornaments switching in between & connecting notes with fast wide vibrato-like movements. This turning movement adds body and fluidity to the musical gesture (and I hope some ease at some point). Very clear explanation. Thanks!
I really like all the explanations, you make it really simple. The one thing that I noticed though is that you do vibrato in thumb position without your thumb, I personally found that it sounds better with the thumb down while vibrating the other fingers. It was something one of my teachers taught me that I found to be great advice.
When do you know which notes to play vibrato on? When I watch professional orchestra bass players, only a few don't use vibrato, so I assume it's not vital for every bassist to use the technique when playing?
Hello Lauren, Thank you so much for the useful tips, this really helps. The only problem I'm having when doing vibrato in lower position is I tend to shake/vibrate my bass along too, resulting in uneven pitch. I know the bass supposedly have to stay quite still but I have no idea how I can fix this. Do you have any tips about that? I would be so grateful! Thank you so much for the amazing channel!
When you play are you holding the bass between your thumb and fingers or resting the bass on your thumb? Either of these approaches will lead to instability. If you play standing, try allowing the bass to lean into your fingers. You should feel a little of the weight of the bass in your fingers. (This changes some when you move into thumb position.) If you play seated, your fingers should sink into the strings using the weight of your arm. In both cases avoid clamping the neck of the bass between your fingers and thumb. This is likely why your bass is unstable.
Hi Lauren. I wanted to ask you. When you use vibrato in thumb position with your third finger. Do you put down the other two fingers, so you have more strength?
Hey Eduardo! I do keep my other two fingers down when I do vibrato on third finger, but it's mostly my 2nd finger that's supporting the 3rd finger. I'll shove my 2nd finger against my 3rd finger and use both to aid with strength. I don't always keep my thumb and 1st finger down, but if they aren't planted onto the board, they're just slightly hovered over.
Lauren this is a very good lesson but I disagree with the thumb vibrato I think that you should always have your thumb touching your first finger because then you can go further down the string without your thumb interrupting your playing
Hi Lauren! Great video! However, I do have a question: My description of it is wierd, but sometimes when I see professionals play a piece with vibrato, it's a bit different. There will be a note, for instance, that they play with no vibrato for a fraction of a second, and then vibrato. Sort of like half normal, half Vibrato. I suppose it's used to give a more unique sound to it. When doing Vibrato in this style, is it the same concept as you described with just a short rest period? If so, do you have any suggestions as to how to practice this? I understand if you don't get my question, but thanks in advance!
Lauren, Thanks for inspiration and for very effective ideas on playing the bass. Question: Why would a cellist-teacher object to the "door knob method"? It works very well for me in lower positions as do your ideas for the thumb position.
I tell my students to think of vibrato as a seasoning that is best used conservatively. Too little leaves the sound bland; too much covers up the natural beauty of the sound. Ever have a dish where the chef uses too much paprika, oregano or garlic?
Pro jazz bassist here, I studied classical for a few years when I was in school but I never got around to actually working on my vibrato, and this video is just heavenly clear and nice ! Makes me motivated again to work on it. Thanks a lot !
As a jazz bass player I've always envied the classical players for their beautiful vibrato. Now I can finally learn it too thanks to your great tutorial! Thank you so much! Will need a lot of practice...
Happy to help! :-)
Great instruction. And finally someone who can teach thumb vibrato! (when I asked a previous teacher - and I'm talking about a very accomplished player - he said.. "erm.. just try avoid doing vibrato with your thumb!" - well your lesson puts paid to that notion - thanks!).
Great lesson. Vibrato is always a great thing to practice especially for me because it's easy to get lazy and sloppy with it. Also I would love to see a lesson on string crossing in the thumb positions. I always get hung up in spots. thanks again and keep up the amazing work
I appreciate these videos. Life's gotten busy since the first time i watched this, and I'm trying to keep up with bass. Realized my vibrato needed work, so here I am again.
Thank you for this lesson! I'm on my own for a little bit until i get an instructor and have been playing for about 4 months. Very excited about adding this into my practice routine. Your explanations and exercises are so easy to understand.
Thanks a lot for the explanations... Really helps. Even with a weekly lesson, there are so many things to learn, your tutorials appear as an learning accelerator. Thanks a lot.
Excellent instruction! tell my students that vibrato is like a powerful herb you add to your favorite suauce.... It is easy to overdo.
I thought vibrato looked impossible, but this you all make it look so easy! This really helps because im in my school’s orchestra, and I play the double bass.
Thanks so much Lauren. Your explanations are so articulate and specific. Very much appreciated.
Fantastic Lauren!! Thanks!!
thank you really helped
Muchas gracias por esta lección Lauren!! Es muy clara tu explicación, ya la estoy poniendo en práctica con el metrónomo en varias divisiones rítmicas. No tenía muy claro el movimiento de la mano para el vibrato, tanto en la zona grave como en la de los agudos, donde se hace a 45 grados, lo explicas todo muy bien. Tengo un buen profesor en Argentina pero todavía no hemos trabajado mucho esta técnica. He visto muchos de tus videos, excelente todo. Te felicito!!!
I'm new to thumb vibrato, oh my god the pain! I can actually hear the soft tissue chrunching as I roll my thumb.
STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPP
omg I know, I hear the same thing and it grosses me out more than it hurts
The challenges I have are producing vibrato in the transition-to-thumb-position area, the heel. It's much harder to vibrate consistently when my thumb isn't directly opposite my finger, or when my thumb is on the side of the heel. Also, connecting notes with continuous vibrato isn't easy for me, mostly when shifting from a higher to a lower note.
Thanks for the lesson! I thought it was from the wrist
Excellent tips and wonderful teaching technique. Tks
Excellent lesson. I especially like the part about practicing vibrato in actual subdivisions of the time of the music. I find that players who are aware of the rhythm of their vibrato tend to sound much more organic. Of course there is also a place for unmeasured vibrato, but I think it always sounds better as a choice that a default.
YOU DA BOMB LAUREN!!!
Nah you da bomb Nick :)
Thanks so much Lauren! Very informative.
I know psychobilly upright and im trying to learn more styles and this was a big help. Im most definitely going to get a bow now and try this out
Excellent lesson ! Thank you very much!
Ima do this in front of my music teacher and he is going to be shook 😂
I am a cello beginner but I found this useful too. Thanks Lauren :)
Thanks!
Thank you Lauren! Now that I've seen this, You'll keep me from getting fired from my job! Lol
You are an incredibly gifted teacher.
Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your wealth of knowledge, experiences, and your talent. I look forward to many more informative videos.
wonderful lesson on vibrato :) Good gradient on mechanics. thanks
Great help as usual.Thanks a lot.
Clear, well presented ideas. Thanks!
Thanks Lauren. Your bass has a great finish. Is that glossy shellac.
I am just starting thumb position on cello and COULD NOT FIND a good teaching on vibrato except your video!! If you know of a good cellist or teacher tell him or her to upload a video on thumb position vibrato ON CELLO!
Bravo Lauren!
Súper!!!Congratulation.
This really helped! My new teacher is in her first year of teaching and she wasn’t doing as great of an example of explaining as you are
Great lesson! Thanks
amazing as a fretless electric base player it helps to get the hang of it on position of the D harmonic on the G string (7th "fret") since in this position the arm is more relaxed.
It also works for gamak (Indian classical) ornaments switching in between & connecting notes with fast wide vibrato-like movements. This turning movement adds body and fluidity to the musical gesture (and I hope some ease at some point). Very clear explanation. Thanks!
Super lesson... thanks!
I really like all the explanations, you make it really simple. The one thing that I noticed though is that you do vibrato in thumb position without your thumb, I personally found that it sounds better with the thumb down while vibrating the other fingers. It was something one of my teachers taught me that I found to be great advice.
Thanks for watching Ben. I'm not sure if I've experimented with that before so I will give it a try. :-)
Great lesson on such a difficult topic
Contratulations! This video helped me a lot.
Great stuff!
I LOVED THAT LESSON OMG
Great lesson to simplify/demystify vibrato - thanks!
Great lesson Lauren?
Thanks, Great.
Thank you!!!!!
When do you know which notes to play vibrato on? When I watch professional orchestra bass players, only a few don't use vibrato, so I assume it's not vital for every bassist to use the technique when playing?
Hello Lauren, Thank you so much for the useful tips, this really helps. The only problem I'm having when doing vibrato in lower position is I tend to shake/vibrate my bass along too, resulting in uneven pitch. I know the bass supposedly have to stay quite still but I have no idea how I can fix this.
Do you have any tips about that? I would be so grateful!
Thank you so much for the amazing channel!
When you play are you holding the bass between your thumb and fingers or resting the bass on your thumb? Either of these approaches will lead to instability. If you play standing, try allowing the bass to lean into your fingers. You should feel a little of the weight of the bass in your fingers. (This changes some when you move into thumb position.) If you play seated, your fingers should sink into the strings using the weight of your arm. In both cases avoid clamping the neck of the bass between your fingers and thumb. This is likely why your bass is unstable.
great help thank you
Hi Lauren. I wanted to ask you. When you use vibrato in thumb position with your third finger. Do you put down the other two fingers, so you have more strength?
Hey Eduardo! I do keep my other two fingers down when I do vibrato on third finger, but it's mostly my 2nd finger that's supporting the 3rd finger. I'll shove my 2nd finger against my 3rd finger and use both to aid with strength.
I don't always keep my thumb and 1st finger down, but if they aren't planted onto the board, they're just slightly hovered over.
Lauren this is a very good lesson but I disagree with the thumb vibrato I think that you should always have your thumb touching your first finger because then you can go further down the string without your thumb interrupting your playing
The only reason I'm here is 'round midnight
Hi Lauren! Great video! However, I do have a question:
My description of it is wierd, but sometimes when I see professionals play a piece with vibrato, it's a bit different. There will be a note, for instance, that they play with no vibrato for a fraction of a second, and then vibrato. Sort of like half normal, half Vibrato. I suppose it's used to give a more unique sound to it. When doing Vibrato in this style, is it the same concept as you described with just a short rest period? If so, do you have any suggestions as to how to practice this? I understand if you don't get my question, but thanks in advance!
Isaiah Herrera Actually she talks about this vibrato you’re saying at 9:00 aproximately.
Ok, now that i can make rythms with my fingers... how do i actually make vibrato?
Lauren, Thanks for inspiration and for very effective ideas on playing the bass.
Question: Why would a cellist-teacher object to the "door knob method"? It works very well for me in lower positions as do your ideas for the thumb position.
6:34 sounds like a Cello.
Thank you.
I learn vibrato for the first time from you.
She is Good..and Beautiful !
I tell my students to think of vibrato as a seasoning that is best used conservatively. Too little leaves the sound bland; too much covers up the natural beauty of the sound. Ever have a dish where the chef uses too much paprika, oregano or garlic?
Great point 👍
super, merci Lauren pour cette nouvelle vidéo.
I really appreciate this and all the other videos. Very helpful. Thank you!