When I am asked by a producer or record label to work with
one of their artists, I try to get specific instructions about what they want
to improve or change. I especially need to how much vibrato they want to hear.
Vibrato might best be described as those small up and down
rapid fluctuations in pitch, or the wavering tone some singers get when they
hold out a note at the end of a phrase. Think: "Dolly Parton." Think:
"the Bee-Gees." Think: "herd of goats."
Emotions run high when the issue of vibrato is in play. I've
heard managers and record label executives give me stern warning to do anything
else with their singers, but don't touch the vibrato. We love it. The fans love
it. The label loves it. So don't touch it. Just do that thing, you know, that
thing you're supposed to be doing. Breathing from the diaphragm or something.
Just don't touch the vibrato. Or, by the way, you'll never work in this town
again…!
Uh, I get it. Vibrato? Good!
Maybe two weeks later someone will draw me aside and tell me
in confidence that if I can't get the vibrato out of their vibrating client,
the artist is going to be dropped from the label. Thursday.
Okay, okay. Now I get it! Vibrato? Bad!
And, just to keep it interesting, occasionally I'm asked to
create vibrato where none has been heard before.
Uh oh. Vibrato good? Vibrato bad?
Which one is right? To bleat or not to bleat? Ah! That is
still the question and it generally boils down to a matter of personal
preference. What sounds good to one person may sound not so good to the next.
When nothing specific is demanded I like to give people
options. If they sing with a lot of natural vibrato I figure they already know
how to do that, so I show them how to get rid of it. The opposite is true of
those who have straighter-toned voices. I help them find a way to resonate that
brings out a gentler, warmer sound by using vibrato.
To help you make decisions about how much vibrato to summon
up you first need to become acquainted with your own natural vibrato. Record
yourself singing several types of music and listen back. Pay special attention
to the ends of phrases, especially in the ballads. Often a singer will switch
to vibrato at the end of every phrase and is not even aware they are doing it.
Analyze the speed and periodic variation in the vibrato of
your own voice and determine whether overall you could stand to use more
vibrato, less vibrato, or only in certain situations. Future articles will
offer solutions for managing your vibrato.
Action Synopsis
for Vibrato
1. Acquaint yourself with vibrato. Listen to singers like
Dolly Parton.
2. Record yourself and listen back. How much vibrato is in
your natural voice?
3. Decide how much vibrato you want to allow in your
singing.
4. Unsure about your vibrato? Post a video on YouTube and
send me a link.
5. Answer the question, How important is the vibrato to
your signature sound?
In future articles I will discuss how to add more vibrato,
remove vibrato and how to manipulate the vibrato to bring variety and color to
your singing.
Nashville
vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams reveals the trade secrets that have already
helped hundreds of aspiring singers become celebrities: Tim McGraw, Martina
McBride, Dixie Chicks, Miley Cyrus, Huey Lewis, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill,
Jason Aldean, Christina Aguilera...
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