Learn Cello Vibrato in 4 steps

Vibrato is an especially difficult area for adult learners. When I teach vibrato to adults, I emphasize two aspects simultaneously. The first is learning the correct motions, and the second is learning how to reduce physical tension. Both are needed to achieve vibrato, and the four steps in this video deal with both aspects.

Whether you want to learn vibrato for the first time, or just have a suspicion that there has to be a better way of going about it, I've organized the process into 4 clear steps that will help you learn the motions and identify and eliminate physical tension.

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Billy Tobenkin is a Los Angeles-based cellist who specializes in teaching adult learners. As a professional cellist who started playing the cello from scratch at 25, he is in a unique position to help others, like him, who found the cello later in life. He has developed strategies from his own musical journey to accelerate the learning process, and he is here to share them with you.

00:00 Intro
1:46 Step 1: Shifting Slides
4:55 Step 1a: Tennis Ball
7:22 Step 2: Finger Joint Flexibility
11:16 Step 3: Arm Circles
13:48 Step 4: Bend Tone & Return

[jankeen]

Thank you for the reminder about the importance of concentrating on making a beautiful sound with the bow. It’s so easy to forget that the left hand doesn’t make any sound!! I remember my first cello teacher telling me to start every practice session with playing long tones (no left hand involved) and I still do it now for 10 -15 minutes. It settles me and grounds me. It reminds me why I want to keep playing.

[thaddeusweerts]

That walking/running analogy was one of the best I’ve ever heard

[hicari]

I watched almost all the cello vibrato related videos on YouTube. This one is literally the best one and the only that worked for me. Thanks a lot!!!

[lordneeko]

This is better than most vibrato instructions which say #1 You're not ready yet, come back in 10 years.

[zhihannn]

self learning cello and couldn't figure out why my vibrato was so stiff and short but this really helped me find out what was wrong, thank you!

[Bigstomper-lyvy]

This really means a lot to me as I am still 13 and I am currently still learning that basics and you make it seem like a basic skill looking at your doing it. This really just motivates me to keep on going on and on till I master it.

[simonwalton]

How on Earth do you know exactly what video I want you to do next? I’m just starting to learn vibrato so this is very timely. As I expected, your explanation of vibrato gets to the real root of the movement rather than resorting to too many gimmicks. Also your production values as usual are sublime.

[David_Fernandez]

Great so great! But auch!! ... our pinky winky finger was not even mentioned... and it's the one finger that will require by itself a whole different approach. Thanks for your great videos!!

[wrendymion]

Over 10 years of playing when I was a kid I never got the hang of consistent vibrato. I could play very well but I tended towards that hummingbird vibrato you speak of. Now I'm trying to relearn it and build back my strength (10 years without playing), hoping these exercises can help me break it down and fix my weaknesses in the technique. Thank you!

[genloke]

"Hummingbird" vibrato, how apt! Feels like my eternal problem. I shall try these steps!

[ezra-schwartz]

Billy, thank you for this tutorial. Great point about holding off from trying to sprint while still being barley able to walk. I do it all the time, despite knowing its way premature :-).

[caseyhrynkow]

You are so great for me, Billy! You read my mind!

[gemmaboon]

Best example I’ve ever had, have been struggling with my ‘hummingbird’ vibrato for 24 years!

[thechisensei]

thanks for teaching! i think im getting better.

[fam.rangeljacobo]

Ohhh I love your video sooo much. Thank you! 10 years now and still an adult beginner, not able to develop a vibrato yet, too much tension. Thank you!

[Darkslide]

I really want to learn vibrato. Also, I wish there was a video that would outline the basic skills you learn in each suzuki cello book. I was learning on my own for a while and had no idea all the skills I skipped over in those books!

[breenaxie]

Having too much physical tension has been my biggest “enemy” as an always overthinking adult cell student. I will try to follow your instructions and see if I could actually learn how to the vibratos properly. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

[cellosong]

Excellent tips for vibrato! Your teaching is a great example of the insights gained by overcoming difficulties in our own playing as teachers. Once students learn the basic vibrato motions try having them place their hand at the base of the neck placing 2nd finger on the D string and resting the left side of their hand against the cello shoulder. From there they can make the basic vibrato arm motion and incorporate tapping the left side of their hand lightly and slowly against the cello shoulder. Add rhythmic practice starting with groups of 2 taps, then groups of 3 taps, and finally groups of 4 taps to gradually increase the speed of the vibrato.

Tapping the shoulder rhythmically helps ensure they are making the basic motion properly while doing the rhythmic exercises slowly. This exercise helps ease beginners into using a faster vibrato without creating tension that sometimes comes into play when trying a faster vibrato in first position. The rhythmic control also anchors their thinking about how to get to a faster vibrato. If they don't have that mental anchor they will often just take "stabs in the dark" at getting a faster vibrato - thus laying the groundwork for the frantic "hummingbird" tension to creep in.

[philenacarter]

This is so helpful! I just started cello from 0 and am glad to have come across several of your videos already. Great explanations. The detail 👌

[johngilbert]

The right approach at las!. Having learned via shoulder injury that took 2 years to fuly resolve due to tensioned vibrato, your approach prioritizing tensinless vibrato looks perfect. I've been learning celllo for 4 years and well overdue a decent vibrato technique.Well done and huge thanks.