Vibrato: The Cupcake Sprinkles of Singing (How to Develop and Control Your Wobbly Goodness)

Ah, vibrato. The musical equivalent of sprinkles on a cupcake - it adds that little extra something that makes it stand out from the crowd or in this case, the plate.

But how exactly do you develop a vibrato in your singing voice and, perhaps more importantly, how do you control it? Well, fear not, dear vocalists, because I, Eternal Ramblings, am here to guide you through the ins and outs of the world of vibrato. It has been a quest that many of my students have completed and many are on it as we speak.

First, let's talk about what vibrato actually is. Vibrato is a slight variation in pitch that occurs when a singer sustains a note. It's often described as a "wobbling" sound, but don't let that put you off - when done right, vibrato can be a beautiful and expressive technique that adds depth and emotion to your singing. For example, a singer might use slower, wider vibrato to express a feeling of sadness or a faster, narrower vibrato to express joy and excitement.

So, how do you develop a vibrato in your singing voice? Well, the good news is that vibrato is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the muscles in your vocal cords are relaxed and free to vibrate. You don’t have to violently shae your head and neck to get a vibrato, that’s just doesn’t sound good and don’t get me started on how it looks. So, that means that the key to developing a vibrato is to work on your breath control and relaxation techniques. (I know right! How often do I bring it to same fundamental topics, it really is that simple, trust me)

Here are some tips:

1. Practice deep breathing exercises to help you relax and support your voice. You can find a lot of articles on this website itself that get into the nitty gritty of breathing techniques.

2. Experiment with different vowel sounds and find the ones that feel most natural for you to sustain. Don’t worry, eventually you’ll be able to do it for all the vowels but we gotta start somewhere.

3. Start with a gentle, slow vibrato and gradually increase the speed and intensity as you become more comfortable. It’s always begins with practicing it slowly first, in most things.
   

Now, let's move on to the tricky part - how to control your vibrato. It's all well and good being able to produce a beautiful vibrato, but if you can't control it, it can quickly turn into a wobbly mess. I have this one performance from my early days where I was performing and couldn’t control the note and it led to a funny and embarrassing moment. (Unfortunately, it’s on youtube and no I am not going to tell you how to find it)

Here are some tips to help you reign in your vibrato:

1. Practice sustaining a note without vibrato and then adding it in gradually. Once you do that, try to remove it and add it back again. If vibrato comes naturally then try to sing without it too. All techniques should be intentional.

2. Experiment with different vibrato speeds and intensities to find the ones that suit the song you're singing. I like to experiment with this a lot it just makes songs very versatile.

3. Pay attention to your breath support and make sure you're not letting your vibrato run away with you. ALWAYS! Always about the breathing folks.

And now, a reality check

If you're struggling to control your vibrato, don't worry - you're not alone. In fact, there are plenty of famous singers who have struggled with vibrato over the years. Take Taylor Swift, for example. In her early performances, her vibrato was so out of control that it sounded like she was riding a rollercoaster. But with time and practice, she was able to reign it in and develop a beautiful, controlled vibrato that's now one of her signature techniques. And if none of the stars can convince you, your sensei here was no genius, I’ve had my fair share of struggles and embarrassing moments with vibrato fails.

Another good way to hone your vibrato and by far my favourite is by listening and trying to emulate artists that have exceptional control over their vibrato. Copy but copy like an artist.

Some of the notable ones are :

1. Celine Dion - Celine Dion has a wide and intense vibrato, which gives her voice a rich, emotional quality.

2. Luciano Pavarotti - Pavarotti's vibrato is characterised by its wide and slow oscillation, which gives his voice a warm and expansive sound.

3. Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston's vibrato is smooth and controlled, with a gentle and subtle waver that adds depth and expressiveness to her vocals.

4. Andrea Bocelli - Bocelli's vibrato is notable for its power and intensity, with a wide, ringing oscillation that adds drama and excitement to his performances.

5. Sarah Brightman - Brightman's vibrato is delicate and nuanced, with a gentle, fluttering quality that adds a sense of fragility and vulnerability to her singing.

So, there you have it - everything you need to know about developing and controlling vibrato in your singing voice. With a little bit of practice and patience, you'll be wobbling those notes like a pro in no time. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be the next Taylor Swift, riding the waves of your beautiful, controlled vibrato all the way to the top of the charts. Good Luck!

PS: if you are still trying to find that video of mine on youtube. STOP! It’s a closely guarded secret between me and my students.