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VIBRATO -
This
technique was already mentioned in the previous "practical".
As said, applying vibrato is not easy and takes some time to perform
well. When I started guitar playing I neglected the vibrato somewhat
and used my whammy bar instead. That's no substitute and merely
an addition to finger vibrato. Later I practiced this technique,
confirming my idea that when you neglect certain basic techniques
in the beginning, it will be more difficult to learn them once you're
a bit older and used to a certain kind of playing.
Okay,
how is vibrato done...
I
only explain the vibrato as used in blues and rock where you move
the string like a bend.
Make
sure the junction of your palm and index finger is pressed against
the neck, for this will be the pivot point. Push your upper arm
lightly to your body for support. The upper two strings are moved
towards the low E string. The other 4 strings are pulled in the
direction of the high E string.
The
speed of the vibrato is normally in line with the tempo and stable
but occasionally you can cheat a little for a certain tension. Start
slow with moving the B string at the 14th fret and bend it a whole
note wide. Concentrate on your pivot point and be sure the movement
comes from the wrist, not the fingers. Don't put stress into your
shoulder or arm, play relaxed as possible. Release the string to
pitch and repeat. Apply this vibrato on all strings and also with
your other fingers. When using your middle and ring finger, extra
support comes from the other finger. Vibrato with your pinky is
not easy because of the strength you need. I normally don't use
it.
In
the beginning the vibrato feels really awkward and strange and maybe
you want to move to fast or shallow. That's normal and it just has
to become second nature after a while. Exercise this every day if
possible. Try to play a lick and apply vibrato to the last note,
moving it up and down 4 times. Then try to play a run and apply
vibrato to a note with 2 movements and continue to play the lick.
Make sure it sounds like a note with vibrato, not a bend with vibrato,
which comes now:
Another
way of vibrato is where you bend the string and make the note sing
while moving it. Here it hás to sound like a bend with vibrato.
A
problem with vibrato can occur when background noise disturbs your
playing. So at the same time you'll have to learn to suppress the
noise with palm and/or finger muting.
Just
play a lot with this technique and you'll notice that it will improve
after a while, like all techniques.
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