Smooth Vibrato?

George Wixon · From: Waterbury, CT USA

OK guys, help.
I've been struggling like crazy to get a nice smooth vibrato and can't seem to get it right. It goes from having nothing at all to something that is there but is jerky to say the least. I've tried rolling the bar, sliding the bar and am just about ready to throw the bar through the window.
I'm using the standard 7/8 BJS bar.
I've even tried playing just a C chord with BIAB to keep a rhythm at 80 bpm and can't seem to keep something smooth.
Any help is appreciated.
George

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Yes,

I perceive you are still in the "technical" stage. During this period in learning to play a musical instrument, our brains are focusing on the "how". As your ears, brain and hands (by way of your heart if you are "great" headed), begin to slowly come out of the technical stage, the music will guide "what" should happen.

In other words, Don force it bubba. It will come, I promise.

To aid you in this, focus on the music and try to let IT dictate how you vibrato rather than trying to let the vibrato be an end in itself.

Secondly, watch the greats like Buddy Emmons. You will notice that it is second nature to them. And the main thing is, it is NOT consistent. Proving that the music determines IF, and when and how there is vibrato.

'tis better IMO to not vibrato at all than to develop habits like the nervous quiver, etc.

Rather, a fluid melodious vibrato embellishes the music. One day without your realizing it, you will look down and in all likelyhood say, "Wow I've got it" And a happy moment that will be as you overcome one hurdle after another in learning the world's most beautiful instrument.

Much good luck to you, and may Jesus lead you in the best way,

carl

Chris Walke · From: St Charles, IL

Great advice, Carl.

I also struggle with vibrato, and have been forcing myself to not use it at all. Let me tell you, once you get used to shaking that bar, it gets to be a crutch, and makes your playing sloppy.

If you've become a slave to vibrato, work hard on keeping the bar still. It is helping my playing and my intonation improve. My bar movements (note-to-note) are becoming more precise now that I'm losing the "shakes."

Better no vibrato than bad vibrato, to paraphrase Carl.

[This message was edited by Chris Walke on 30 September 2003 at 04:05 PM.]

David Cobb · From: Chanute, Kansas, USA

Once saw a guy on TV playing backup for a singer and when the cameraman did a close up of him, his vibrato was just crazy.
Nerves? Probably.
Try rolling the bar slightly rather than swinging it.
Easy enough to say...

Moon in Alaska · From: Kasilof, Alaska * R.I.P.

Yes, George....
All the above is good advise... I remember
when I first was learning to play steel,
that was one thing I struggled with. Don't
worry, I promise you it will come !!
If you listen closely to good singers, you
can pick up good vibrato technique....
pratice at the end of a line, hit the notes
without vibrato, and slowly add it.
As I recall, I played for a year before I
felt like my vibrato was beginning to suit me..
Good Luck and my advise to you .....
Keep on Keeping on !!!!

Moon in Alaska

------------------
<< Moon Mullin in Alaska >>
==Carter S-10==
<< Old Fender-400 >>
== Evans FET 500 Custom LV ==

CLICK HERE FOR MOON'S NEW WEB SITE

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

I think you have to practice a wide vibrato, narrow, fast and slow in order to be able to choose the correct one for the song at hand. Buddy Emmons' may look natural, but that's part of the trick - I'll bet he practiced it hard, at some point.

Gary Walker · From: Morro Bay, CA

Moon, after looking at your web site, I decided it takes a man to live in Alaska. I moved out of Flagstaff, AZ because I hate the cold. My hats off to you.

Moon in Alaska · From: Kasilof, Alaska * R.I.P.

David....
You are SOOOOO right !!!
And.. Thanks, Gary !! I live in the
"banana belt" section of Alaska. We
are influnced here by the Gulf of Alaska,
and don't really have much cold weather.
Today the temp was 60 degrees during the daytime and 45 degrees last night. We are now
back to "normal" daylight, about 12 hours,
but closing fast on to winter. In Dec here
we get down to 5 hours of daylight.
OK, Bob...I am WAY off the subject !!

Moon in Alaska

------------------
<< Moon Mullin in Alaska >>
==Carter S-10==
<< Old Fender-400 >>
== Evans FET 500 Custom LV ==

CLICK HERE FOR MOON'S ALASKA WEB SITE

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

I friend once told me that a vibrato should sound like a sine wave looks and a bit slower than you'd normally think that it should be.

Buddy Emmons · From: Hermitage, TN USA * R.I.P.

For slow songs, I lift the fingers off the strings in back of the bar and use a subtle roll that varies depending on the tempo or feel of the song. I’ve found that when I move the bar from side to side, or place the fingers on the strings in back of the bar, the overtones I like to hear integrated into the sound either diminish or disappear completely. I like to hear a vibrato integrated into the sound only when needed and not treated as a constant you feel is necessary. In time, you relax and your inner feelings dictate the type of vibrato best suited for what you’re playing. In the mean time, if it hurts when you do it a certain way, don’t do it that way.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Goerge, you're probably doing the vibrato with your whole forearm, or your whole wrist. Try doing it with just your finger and thumb muscles! Less is better than more.

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

More words of wisdom from "The Man", thanks Buddy!

When I first started some 30+ years ago, I was taught to always keep my fingers down behind the bar to mute the overtones. I first heard of lifting the fingers behind the bar from Tommy White in his "Hot Licks & Cool Tips for the E9th" video. I tried it and my tone on slow tunes improved immensely. What a great and invaluable place this Forum is!

George Wixon · From: Waterbury, CT USA

Thanks for the help guys.
Buddy, that's something I never thought of as I always thought that if you lifted your fingers from behind the bar you would get unwanted over tones. This, I have to try.
I want vibrato when I'm doing slow ballads on chords and single notes that are held for a few beats. After the chord or note has been ringing for a bit, I apply vibrato and this is when I want it to be smooth and not choppy or jerky.
I also must be controlling the bar wrong as I do notice that afer a while, my pointer finger that I normally lay on top of the bar will start to hurt.
Once again thanks and yes this is a great forum.
George

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

Regarding pain and cramping, I noticed a few players on the Grand Ole Opry and Joe Wright on his tapes using a very wide, splayed-out left hand sometimes. I tried this and it really does "unstick" your hand. You want to use a more closed position at times for specific musical reasons, but try controlling the bar with just the thumb and first two fingers and spreading the rest of your hand back towards the tuning pegs. It helps me keep practicing longer.

Fred Layman · From: Springfield, Missouri USA

For an excellent example in good vibrato, watch Herby Wallace (slightly rolls the bar). One of the best left hands in steel guitardom. (His right hand ain't no slouch either) Smile

kbdrost · From: Prospect Heights, IL

I'll pass on a trick Ken Champion taught me that helped me quite a bit. Make a small circle (more like an oval) with the bar. You'll get some nice sustain, and it sounds much smoother than if I try to roll or slide the bar.

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Ken Drost
steelcrazy after all these years

Rick Collins · From: Claremont , CA USA

George, I can't recall having a problem with vibrato; but, of course, I must have when I first started.

If I were in your phase of learning now, I would practice vibrato on slow single string first, with only the tip of the bar and try to eliminate the wide wavy sound.

After you feel more confident with the single string, lay the bar across the strings and strum full chords moving mostly only the three fingers holding the bar, making sure the tips of the pinky and ring fingers resting on the strings, do not move.

Rick

Justin Griffith · From: Taylor, Texas, USA

If you would like e-mail me and I will get you in touch with Don Sowersby. He is the master at vibrato.(And many other steel guitar things)

Justin

------------------
Justin Griffith
D-10 MSA Session 500 and other stuff

[This message was edited by Justin Griffith on 06 October 2003 at 09:38 PM.]

Skip Mertz · From: N.C. (deceased)

THe best technique I've found is to hold the bar steady and move the steel back and forth!
This works better if you loosen the legs to the point of almost falling out, just held on by a thread. This way your hand doesnt get tired either.

[This message was edited by SKIP MERTZ on 07 October 2003 at 02:08 AM.]

Bob Carlson · From: Surprise AZ.

Try a 1" bar. Much more room to work with.

Bob

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

I just tried that recommendation of using a circular motion with the bar, and it really really works! Hot dog!

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

And, if you make the circles clockwise, the vibrato breathes ON the beat, if you make them counterclockwise, it breathes OFF the beat....

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