How to Play Vibrato on the Double Bass

Vibrato adds color to a performance.

Vibrato is a musical technique that takes a given pitch and bends it up and down quickly, alternating between sharp and flat in succession, and oftentimes in a rhythmic manner. On string instruments, such as a double bass, the player will slide the finger that is pressing on the fretboard for a given note up and down the fretboard so as not to hit another note, but to go in and out of tune on an existing note.

Instructions

1. Hold the bass so that it is positioned comfortably. Place a finger on the fretboard to produce a desired note as it would be played normally.

2. Bow or pluck the note. With a relaxed wrist, press down on the string as it vibrates and move the finger in very short motions up and down to slightly increase and decrease the string length, therefore changing pitch.

3. Stop the finger movement when moving to a new note or repeating a note. Resume vibrato after the note has just been played or as desired.

References

• Mostly Bass: Vibrato
• Harmony Central: Guitars: Good Vibrations: How Vibrato Can Shake Up Your Music