I could really use some advice on developing vibrato. I'm a new player, and I can get a steady clear tone. But, so far attempts at vibrato have been unsuccessful. If anyone can offer some suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. Practice tips, etc.

Thanks!

Creating vibrato on a flute utilizes the same method that a singer uses: control of the diaphragm muscles.

Try this: fill your lungs with air and purse your lips like you are going to whistle. Then, without moving your cheeks or mouth at all, send out little puffs of air like you are blowing out a candle. Again, no mouth/cheek involvement (apart from the necessary tightening that results from pursing your lips and holding them in that position). Imagine you are sending an S.O.S. composed of little puffs of air. Hold your hand over your solar plexus as you do this and you can feel it contract when you puff.

If you do this, you are using your diaphragm to control the air flow. You need to build up the strength and control of these muscles.

An exercise: Fill your lungs completely, taking a deep breath using your abdomen. Once full, contract your abdomen slightly. Again, form your mouth (like you are going to drink through a straw). Let out a slow, pin-point air stream (strong enough to make a candle waver, but not blow out). Make this release as steady and even as possible. To control that air flow, you have to control your diaphragm, and the act of controlling it will build strength and steadiness.

There are other ways to get a vibrato-like effect on the flute, but they are not as controlled and reliable as simple diaphragm control. I've seen people puffing their cheeks, or even moving the flute rapidly back and forth in little jerks as they play, trying to get the same effect. These are marginally effective at best.

You might even take a couple of lessons from a vocal coach to learn some breath exercises.

Think of your diaphragm as a small fireplace bellows. You want to fill it by taking air deep into the diaphragm, like opening up the bellows. Then by squeezing the bellows, or using your diaphragm muscles to push air upward, you send little puffs of air to your mouth, and the flute, in an oscillating manner, where the muscles contract and relax, contract and relax. (Thus the term vibrato.)

It takes some practice, and you should expect that it will gradually improve with time and practice.

Hey SuperHero87! Welcome to the flute forum! Glad you've joined us!

Howdy! Great question and glad that you joined us here on the Forum.

You have some great advise from Geoffrey and Rick. Follow thier suggestions and let is know how it works for you.
Ed

Welcome SuperHero87! Glad to have you with us. Lots of Great Info on the Forums for sure! Many Blessings...Robert

I often suggest to my students to place their hands on their abdomens and say the word "huh" very sharply. This will help you feel how your diaphragm expels air. I then have them expel air in a similar (but softer) manner into the flute in one burst, then a series of bursts and then have them work on getting the bursts faster and closer together until, presto, you have vibrato. Granted, this is much easier to demonstrate/teach in person than trying to explain in writing.

Great idea!

A sincere thanks to everyone who has offered suggestions -- I've already started trying some of them. Even though I'm not getting anything that resembles vibrato yet, I can certainly see where this is leading and am hopefull that with practice I'll eventually get it.

Thanks Again!

PS: I'd also like to thank to Karnalis, who told me about the Flute Portal Forums.

Welcome SuperHero 87,
You're in the right place for sure! As a side note...the breathing exercises described above are incredibly effective for some asthmatics. No, I'm not a doctor...but I am a person who has struggled with asthma on and off through the years. Maybe that's why I picked up vibrato so easily!
Peace,
Tom

Hey SuperHero87, I learned How to do "Vibrato" on the Flute very quickly and easily by going outside in the Yard during Winter when it was about 20 degrees temperature in nothing but my Underwear! The very First Song I attempted that day had Plenty of Vibrato in it for sure! I believe it was Neil Diamond's "Song Sung Blue"!!! Just kiddin There Brother! Many Blessings...Robert

You might try following John Vames advice and blow into the flute saying hehehehehe. Also puff some air in your cheeks and puff out smal bursts of air. The best vibrato will be that produced from the diaphram. Many players use the vibrato at one speed. When you get it down vary the small bursts of air for a variation on the effect.

You will be sounding like Nakai in no time.

i've found you can practice these techniques when away from your flute, while walking, working, sitting..

I had one person advise me to send the pets, kids & spouse out of the house then pretend to be an opera singer in your biggest voice. It did help to devlop the feeling of the diaphram.

one more thing you could do is to lie down on a couch or bed and play the flute. Ron Warren gave me the idea and it works. it does take some time, don't get discouraged. eventually, what you want is to be able to do it in any position.

i know some folks found it easier to do by standing. what ever works!

have fun.

this is a good one -----good explanation

WOW! Thanks, Geoffrey for this insightful and awesome exercise - I just tried this earnestly this morning, and while on my lunch break I was gifted with getting a tremelo/vibrato sound from my NAF - I'm still digesting!!! :-) Thank you!!

I learned do to vibrato by practicing "panting" with my flute. I found it was an easy way to create little of air pulses.

Definately do it standing. When sitting down, it's much harder.

Thanks Superhero87 for asking this question and to everyone who replied! All of this info helped a great deal and I'm getting this whole vibrato thing down...yay!

good instruction on vibrato, once you get that down circular breathing would be one option for the next learning curve.

One thing I have found to strengthen your virbrato, and this is going to sound funny, but it is true, it works......
The virbrato does not come from your lungs, it comes from your diaphram and to strengthen that you can open your mouth wide and pant like a dog using your stomach muscles. Told you this was going to sound funny but it works. I just recommend that you do this in the privacy of your home so that no one thinks you are crazy. If you do this every day for a week I bet you will start noticing a virbrato starting to develop. This is my method.