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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Physiology of the Tremolo & Vibrato.

3 replies [Last post]
Mon, 05/27/2019 - 06:27
Jimmyjim
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Hi folks,

I have a question based on the more anatomical side of things. David, I've really enjoyed your explanation of tremolo and vibrato in your lessons. In fact, you're the first to flag to me that the vibrato is more so a relaxed extension of the tremolo, rather than, say, an enhanced skill. I'm the type of learner that finds it particularly difficult to grasp things unless I'm fully aware of the basic raw fundamentals of it, so this helps a lot.

  Extending from that, I was hoping you might elaborate more on the source of the perturbation. There's two origins that I'm concerned with:

(1) Throat manipulation can come in the form of that classic sheep/machine gun sound. Done lighlty, I feel a light pop in my throat, both on the in- and ex-hale.

(2) Then there's the kind that can arise from trying to articulate "gck, gck, gck". It's a similar pop, perhaps a little higher in the throat. I can perform this one with more force, and my larynx moves. This feels more like the extreme back of my tongue is getting involved, but force seems to be easier to generate with this move (could be simply that my underdeveloped throat muscles struggle with (1), though).

  Which method do you think is on the more correct path? I've seen many players refer to and display the movement of the larynx as part of their rich vibrato etc. This occurs in (2) with no jaw movement and the diaphragm is largley unaffected, it seems correct. However in (1) the tongue seems less involved, but the diaphragm seems to pop a little in my case, it also seems correct in a way.

Hope this wasn't too confusing; just hoping to establish good fundamentals in the first instance!

Much appreciated.

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Mon, 05/27/2019 - 19:57
#1
David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
I'm glad it helps Jimmyjim, I

I'm glad it helps Jimmyjim, I too like to know the underlying physiology of what's going on in the mouth. Answers below...

1) That sounds good. I like the sheep analogy... it's generally not as harsh as a machine gun.

2) The "gck, gck, gck" does not sound correct to me. It should be a very relaxed movement of your vocal folds... same as your tremolo.

The three key elements are that you use your tremolo, that your mouth is tuned to the reed you're playing, and that your tongue and mouth/throat are relaxed enough to move sympathetically from the throat. It can be helpful to make a strong machine gun tremolo to really get things moving at first. You can relax it over time. Keep it up, it's a challenge! It took me a year to get it dialed in.

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Tue, 05/28/2019 - 04:36
#2
Jimmyjim
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Fantastic. Very, very helpful

Fantastic. Very, very helpful insight, I'll pursue in the direction of the first and keep some patience on tap! Many thanks!

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Tue, 05/28/2019 - 09:07
#3
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
My pleasure Jimmyjim.

My pleasure Jimmyjim.

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