Diaphram vs. Jaw vibrato

[Rick Denney]

As did all [Jacobs's] students [recommend jaw vibrato].

That is not the case. The early teacher I mentioned was a student of Jacobs. I'm not sure he was opposed to jaw vibrato, but that was not how he did it.

Rick "but he got the results" Denney

[mbeastep]

I, personally, am not a fan of the diaphragm vibrato as it adds too much tension to the abdomen. When you inhale, everything expands down - until it reaches the muscle tension. I, again personally, find that I can get more air if I keep this area relaxed.

The jaw vibrato, again for me, is easier and I can vary it more to suit the piece or style of music in which I am playing.

One thing to remember:

Using vibrato is like zipping your pants in public....it's to be done discretely. If you use it on everything and begin to sound like an old school British euphonium player, then you just leave the audience wondering if you were able to actually play ANY of those notes in tune.

Just my $0.02

Roger

I have always used and advocated jaw vibrato too, but I find that on certain notes and situations (like the soft, held solo G at the end of the American in Paris solo) I can't use jaw vibrato without risking the loss of the note. Another technique, advocated by Jens Lindemann, that is worth fooling with, is that of gently nodding the head. This requires a good angle of approach to the mouthpiece, but gives the ability to create a (slow) vibrato without tightening the jaw or the embouchure

Michael Eastep

[Allen]

Well, I'm not qualified to argue with how brass instrument playing is taught, but there are musicians who use diaphragm (or breath) vibrato quite controllably and quite well. There ain't no jaw vibratos for flute players! And yes, flutists can turn their vibratos on and off, etc.

I spent years playing flute and recorders before coming back to tuba. Since my diaphragm vibrato worked as well on tuba as it did on flute, I couldn't see the necessity of switching techniques. Perhaps a jaw vibrato is easier to learn and control for a brass player who doesn't yet have any vibrato. If that were true, it would probably make excellent sense for a jaw vibrato to be the preferred method to be taught.

I suspect that brass teachers who so intensely disparage diaphragm vibratos never learned to do a good one. Perhaps because they were never flutists.

I'm in favor of whatever works well.

Cheers,
Allen

P.S. Speaking of vibratos, have you ever experienced a theatre organ's Tibia Clausa with a well-adjusted tremulant going? You'll still be vibrating an hour afterwards!

[CWessel188]

Ok, let me explain myself a bit more. I was NOT using vibrato in teh Wagner peice intentionally, believe me. I simply found myself at the point where I played everything with vibrato without realizing it.

Now I'm trying to break that habit, and it's not easy.

I was taught "lip vibrato" by Rex Martin. Articulating "toe-woe-woe-woe" etc. Diaphragmatic vibrato has too much potential to alter the resonance of your sound, in my opinion.

It was with Rex that I was auditioning. I can only hope to be taught by him as well.

The poor air support came into play in the 2nd mvt of the Barnes concerto: using (attempting?) vibrato on the low G's, and my lack of support above the staff.


And I also find it irritating that I can't take band while in full honors. the schedule only prevents it senior year, and to compensate I'm taking an applied theory class (meaning I get to play) after school twice a week.

[Frank Ortega]

I do not have any problems turning on and off my vibrato.
I would never use vibrato in Bruchner, but I do when I play Gershwin's American in Paris. So, I don't believe anyone can say, never in Orchestral music! I've also never had any complaints about my tone quality, with or without the vibrato.
At least not in the last 15 or so years.
And I do not use a jaw vibrato.

All this and about a buck fifty will get you a cup of coffee.

Frank Ortega

[windshieldbug]

So, I don't believe anyone can say, never in Orchestral music!

I believe we've said unless the line is a solo line, and we've made generalizations to make a point to the original poster.

But you're right, if you're getting your lessons from the 'net, you're bound to be disappointed!

[JB]

I have toyed with the idea of buying a viola and getting 100% of my instruction from YouTubers. I could probably get into a major symphony that way!

I wasn't aware that prior instruction was required for playing viola in an orchestra...

[windshieldbug]

I have toyed with the idea of buying a viola and getting 100% of my instruction from YouTubers. I could probably get into a major symphony that way!

Viola playing requires destruction.