3.3 Vibrato on a Guitar

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Contents
................3.3.1 How to Vibrato
................3.3.2 Vibrato on an Open String
................3.3.3 Guitar Tab Notation

3.3.1 How to Vibrato

Vibrato produces a 'rapid slight variation in musical pitch producing a tremulous effect' (Pocket Oxford Dictionary)

Vibrato can be achieved by pulling downwards on a string (using a similar technique as bending) with varying force. Take a look at the diagram below:

Vibrato on a Guitar

This is the best method for playing vibrato. While pressing down on a fret, rotate your wrist back and forth using the point where the forefinger makes contact with the side of the neck as a pivot point (as shown above). The thumb should be used to counteract the force generated by this movement. If done correctly you should repeatedly be pulling the string down then moving it back into its resting position, fluctuating the pitch of the string.

[ Slow Vibrato - Listen ] 29kb
[ Fast Vibrato - Listen ] 30kb

You can play vibrato using any of your fingers (obviously excluding the thumb), but always use the same technique provided (i.e. use the forefinger as a pivot etc...).

3.3.2 Vibrato on an Open String

It is possible to vibrato on an open string on some guitars. This is achieved not by the conventional method described above.

To vibrato an open string you must first pick the open string and then use your finger to apply fluctuating pressure on the string above the nut. Therefore this method will only work on guitars without a locking nut.

3.3.3 Guitar Tab Notation

This diagram shows the standard notation in guitar tabs for vibrato. Note that it can also be denoted as a 'v' above the tab.

Guitar Tab Notation :
Vibrato

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