How to Use Vocal Vibrato When Singing

Vocal vibrato is a musical term that describes the slight vibrations of the vocal cords, creating an undulating sound on a sustained note. Singers use vocal vibrato as a dramatic effect to provide interest to a song. This article describes how you can use vocal vibrato when singing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Reduce the amount of air pressure you use to sustain a note. Unlike projecting the voice, which requires a strong breath to support the sound, vocal vibrato requires the muscles to be relaxed. Make sure that you are not tightening your abdominal muscles or forcing air from your stomach, both of which can increase the tension in your neck, making vocal vibrato difficult to achieve.

2. Stand in front of a mirror and watch yourself as you sing. Observe what the muscles in your neck are doing as you climb an octave, sing louder or increase the amount of air pressure. If your neck muscles bulge or your voice feels strained, sing in a lower register, relax your body and decrease the amount of air pressure until you have achieved vocal vibrato.

3. Sing low and soft when first trying to produce a vocal vibrato. Most singers cannot produce this effect naturally, so you must practice it in order to sing with a vocal vibrato.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all singers use vocal vibrato, and some people consider it an undesirable effect that masks vocal weakness. Some critics believe vocal vibrato distorts resonance and, if performed incorrectly, it can cause a tremolo, which is an off-pitch, wavering sound.

[khristal23]

on 2/5/2009 Very helpful, thanks!