VOCALS
VIBRATO - GOOD OR BAD ? ( PART 2 ) | Sheri Gould
Vocal vibrato continues to cause consternation and debate in modern contemporary singing , Last month I discussed three ways singers commonly create vibrato while singing . This month I ’ d like to continue the discussion of how vibrato affects the voice and whether it ’ s a healthy / positive characteristic in a modern , contemporary singing voice .
AIR PRESSURE VIBRATO . This kind of vibrato creates a very fast “ tremolo ” in the voice through muscle stress . When too much air pressure is applied to the vocal folds , the surrounding muscles eventually start to shudder or tremble . Over time the body tends to regulate and memorize this movement . The rate of vibration is unnaturally fast . This type of vibrato is impossible to blend with so it ’ s problematic for singers in groups . Over time this type of vibrato will often “ slow down ” as the muscles slacken and turn into a vibrato that sounds more like a pitch manipulated vibrato .
LARYNX ( OR PITCH ) MANIPULATION VIBRATO . This type of vibrato is created by simply moving the pitch up and down . We create pitch by lengthening / stretching or shortening / thickening the vocal cords . When we move back and forth quickly between pitches , we can easily create a “ vibrato ”. This vibrato can not only be heard but can usually be seen in the front of the throat as the larynx moves up and down in response to the movement of the vocal cords . Because it is the easiest of the vibratos to create , it is also very prevalent . I have seen this type of vibrato taught to unwitting voice students in many situations .
The problems with this type of vibrato are many . Over time , the ability to control the distance and rate of “ vibration ” deteriorates . The wear and tear on the vocal folds and the surrounding muscles over the long term can cause the slow , often irregular , wobble ( or warble ) that we often associate with vocal vibrato .
The extent of an acceptable vibrato for solo singers is usually less than a semitone ( half step ) either side of a note . Even with this “ smaller ” vibrato , the range of vibration can be nearly a whole step ! One of the problems with this pitch generated vibrato over time , is that the distance can increase , creating a vibrato of up to a step and a half on either side of the note . All total the vibration rate becomes a minor third ! This is the “ warble ” we ’ ve come to associate with “ age ” and dislike so much .
In my experience , most singers with this type of exaggerated vibrato have no recollection of ever intentionally creating it . “ I ’ ve always had vibrato ” is what I often hear . This is of course untrue , but it serves to illustrate that something as benign as adding a little vibrato to the voice can truly create havoc over time .
DIAPHRAGM ( OR AIR ) GENERATED VIBRATO . This type of vibrato occurs when the diaphragm is allowed to expel air naturally ( with a certain amount of pressure for support ). When air is expelled , the diaphragm will naturally “ pulsate ”. Eventually the diaphragm will create a natural rhythm and memorize this . This creates a vibrato that is much more related to volume than pitch . The air pulsates from the diaphragm up to the vocal cords and create a natural vibration . The type of pitch shift with this kind of vibrato is closer to a 10 th of a semitone ( half step ). It gives a natural vibrato without significantly altering the pitch . Over time , this vibrato does not morph into a wider form of vibration because the size , strength and function of the diaphragm is much different from the structure of the muscles surrounding and including the vocal folds . The vibrato doesn ’ t appear to “ age ”. Because the vibration does not change pitch significantly , this vibrato can easily be woven into group singing . It will also have a pleasant effect on the listener overall as the pitch remains relatively constant throughout . This type of vibrato requires proper singing technique with the proper amount of breath support / pressure . It is a skill that can take time to master .
HOW ABOUT NO VIBRATO ? When I hear about directors asking their singers to abstain from any vibrato at all , I know that they don ’ t have a real understanding of the importance and function of natural vibrato . When a voice has no vibrato and is simply straight , it is a stressed tone . This is unhealthy . This is usually in response to someone in the group singing with a heavy , unnatural vibrato . The director sees no other option than to ban all vibrato . This is not the best choice for singers or sound overall .
Sheri Gould Sheri is an internationally acclaimed vocal coach . She ’ s been helping artists and worshipers find their voice for over 40 years . For help and resources visit her site . www . SheriGould . com