I understand finger vibrato (as opposed to mouth) is the only “accepted” whistle vibrato, though a few questions:
- why?
- steps/vids to developing good technique?
I’ve not heard about “mouth vibrato”. I know that on the clarinet vibrato can be done with the jaw.
But on flute and whistle there are three ways I do vibrato, and I’ve heard all three done by “real Irish guys”
- finger
- diaphragm
- throat
Since Irish trad players oftentimes use any and all of these, I would dispute the idea that only finger vibrato is acceptable.
There are two ways of approaching finger vibrato:
- fully close and open a hole (or holes) below the hole from which the melody note emits
- partially close a hole (or holes). This could include the hole from which the melody note emits
Some examples of #1.1 (using a D whistle)
-play F#, or G, in either octave, and rapidly open and close hole 6.
-play A, or B, in either octave, and rapidly open and close hole 5.
Option #1.2, that is, partially closing holes, has many variants, but try the following:
-play G, A, or B in either octave, and rapidly tap the edges of holes 5 and 6 at the same time, using flat fingers held at an angle. The advantage of this style of vibrato is that you can change the intesity of the vibrato by altering the angle the fingers are held at.
Interesting topic.
Mary Youngblood teaches Native American Flute it as blowing out a candle that is diaphragm. This is how I do it on NAF.
The shakuhacchi is done with head I think. I have been with head and the diagpharagm (not suppose to but it works for me)
So far, the same on a penny whistle for me.
when I was being taught (classical rather than folk) flute (a long time ago) I was taught that throat vibrato was a no-no. I think. Now I’ve typed that I am starting to doubt myself, eurgh. Anyway, that may or may not be completely irrelevant…
Just say, “no,” to the vibrato.
i guess when i put “mouth” i meant any type of non-finger vibrato (diaphragm) being the most “natural” to classical wind players?)
also, thanks for the detailed vibrato description, and i’ve seen your vids, your finger vibrato is very good.
how is the “rapidly tapping” (fulling covering a hole) vibrato not a trill though?
Thanks a lot! (and my vote for inclusion in the much demanded “beginners: look here first” sticky)
I think I know what you mean by mouth vibrato. I find it easier to use my throat instead of fingers, but that’s just me.