lets chat about vibrato

[Aria.]

hey guys im aria nice to meet u

we can discuss everyhting about vibrato on BASS guitar
some things we can talk about are

how do u do it?
why do u use it?
when do u use it?

also ive noticed that electric BASS guitairsts only raise the pitch for vibrato whihc sounds really out of tune idk why u guys do that i gues thats just the way it is

for ppl who do non mettle vibrato do u guys raise the pitch first or lower it?
i always lowered the pitch first til recently (last few months) where i have mostly been raising the pitch first i thikn it s better but it depends onthe context of course

wehn playing melodies i like to shape the note slightly towards the end sharper or flater depending on where the melodies going this is something ive been doing for a long time now adn can be very effective

i practice vibrato probaly only a few hours per week but ive got a god grasp on it

also i notice in mettle BASS guitarists just go at the same speeed all the time
i find that very strange even when they are playing a slow hautnig melody they will shake the vibrato like mad at very rapid sppeed which is kind of funny

adn they never have any shape in their vibrato it stays at the same speed from start of the note to end which is kind of strange as well
i thikn its important to have complete control over the vibrato adn when im practicing it i practice accelerating and slowing down the vibrato

what are ur thoughts

[fortyseven]

Having played Sax for 8 years, I understand the concept of vibrato, but playing bass I dont use it that often, probably due to the type of stuff I play...

I think when I get my fretless I'll use it more, probably to cover up slightly sloppy playing...

For those who dont know...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=i_ydi0BFszE < vibrato on cello's

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VeEPNutDGM < vibrato on a sax (listen for the longer notes)

EDIT: Also... the bass in the background... fretless maple neck... ;)

[Akira]

How can we bend down? Do you mean pre-bending, then releasing?

[Aria.]

waht do u mean akira?

and thanks to the mod for cleaning up those idiots

[Wintermute]

Despite an abysmal start and frankly suspect intentions, it's just possible that there's some good discussion to be had here.

So let's try again.

and thanks to the mod for cleaning up those idiots

Half the posts I deleted were yours. If you actually want an adult discussion, then discuss it like an adult. If not, I'll just close the thread and be done with it.

[fortyseven]

How can we bend down? Do you mean pre-bending, then releasing?

When your vibrato goes towards the headstock the note is effectively bent down...

[Aria.]

no actualy forty seven its the other way around bro

inocent mistake

[fortyseven]

Oh yeh... :thumb:

I've just picked up my bass and tried it this time.

[HaVIC5]

I do upright-style vibrato (side to side rather than up and down). Its more subtle but far more controllable.

[funkyhoney]

I do upright-style vibrato (side to side rather than up and down). Its more subtle but far more controllable.

a bit iffy on a fretted though, sometimes it doesn't work so well

[Thonk]

I just roll my finger slowly.

I guess that's upright style vibrato?

[Aria.]

a bit iffy on a fretted though, sometimes it doesn't work so well

really?
works fine for me
u must be doing something wrong
keep practicing bro no mater how hard it is

[funkyhoney]

really?
works fine for me
u must be doing something wrong
keep practicing bro no mater how hard it is

gee, i don't know, maybe it's got something to do with the different tensions and string gauges in classical guitar and bass guitar, not to mention the fact that they are different instruments.

or maybe it's just me :rolleyes:

i also notice you jump conclusions, until you fly your arse down here and witness me playing vibrato shut the hell up

[PERFECTXDARK]

Metal**

Im not going to be a little bitch about your spelling,but make it more read-able.

I do Vibratos more and mostly,on Upright Bass and Fretless Basses.

- Brandon

p.s this is a really neat thread I like it. +rep

[Aria.]

gee, i don't know, maybe it's got something to do with the different tensions and string gauges in classical guitar and bass guitar, not to mention the fact that they are different instruments.

or maybe it's just me :rolleyes:

i also notice you jump conclusions, until you fly your arse down here and witness me playing vibrato shut the hell up


actualy classical guitar is just one of the many instruments i play

i play a lot of bass guitar and i dont have any problems when i use vibrato

chill out bro no need to get that angry at the intnernet :chug:

Metal**

Im not going to be a little bitch about your spelling,but make it more read-able.

I do Vibratos more and mostly,on Upright Bass and Fretless Basses.

- Brandon

p.s this is a really neat thread I like it. +rep

yeah bro thx i thought it was a good thread as well

[PERFECTXDARK]

yeah bro thx i thought it was a good thread as well

Quality posts since 1992.

[PERFECTXDARK]

actualy classical guitar is just one of the many instruments i play

i play a lot of bass guitar and i dont have any problems when i use vibrato

chill out bro no need to get that angry at the intnernet :chug:
Oh what other instruments do you play?

[Aria.]

classical guitar
electric and steel string acoustic guitar
harp
voice
ukulele
keyboard
recorder
bass guitar
vihuela
beatbox

[funkyhoney]

actualy classical guitar is just one of the many instruments i play

i play a lot of bass guitar and i dont have any problems when i use vibrato

chill out bro no need to get that angry at the intnernet :chug:



yeah bro thx i thought it was a good thread as well

ok bro ill lyk take ur advice because ur lyk the best person to evaluate my psyche

[bottlerocket]

funkyhoney, chill out. Ben's a funny guy you just gotta roll with the punches and stop being so defensive.

[PERFECTXDARK]

classical guitar
electric and steel string acoustic guitar
harp
voice
ukulele
keyboard
recorder
bass guitar
vihuela
beatbox

Do you own all of these instruments?

[Criss Frantic]

I own a beatbox. Bought it off a guy in an alley, cost me 3 magic beans.

[Aria.]

i dont own the harp or any keyboard instruments or the vihuela but i have regular access to them

yes i own the rest

[Jody LeCompte]

What kind of stuff do you play when your playing a steel string acoustic?

I vibrato depending on the direction of the melody as well. Its just a little habbit from the old days when I was reading Bass Guitar for Dumbies. It said I should bend away from the next note to keep my technique cleaner, and now I just kind of follow that prinicipal with any pitch-altering technique.

[PERFECTXDARK]

I own a voice and beatbox...of course.

I play Upright Bass,Electric Bass,Piano,Acoustic Guitar,Harmonica and played trumpet for 2 years in grade school along with recorder.

[Jody LeCompte]

I play the ukelele too, real men should.

I actually tune a baritone uke soprano though, for the bigger body and more frets.

[funkyhoney]

funkyhoney, chill out. Ben's a funny guy you just gotta roll with the punches and stop being so defensive.

i'm not defensive i'm just being "funny" as well

[Jody LeCompte]

classical guitarist are best in bed, they can play three parts at one time.

[Jimbobntnr]

I don't think that I use vibrato on ebass enough to make a stark generalization about it. I'm not sure about the whole metal thing, either. Maybe some metal bassists are going just a tad fast and have to bend up as an afterthought, perhaps these players just lack the mettle to meddle with metal and should stick to something else?

[Jody LeCompte]

Im so meddle I piss mercury.

[bottlerocket]

i'm not defensive i'm just being "funny" as well

I didn't lol. :(

[LightRaven]

also ive noticed that electric BASS guitairsts only raise the pitch for vibrato whihc sounds really out of tune idk why u guys do that i gues thats just the way it is

for ppl who do non mettle vibrato do u guys raise the pitch first or lower it?
i always lowered the pitch first til recently (last few months) where i have mostly been raising the pitch first i thikn it s better but it depends onthe context of course



It sounds to me like you are describing bending the note rather than vibrato.
Vibrato is an effect, which creates a pulsating sound.. which most people prefer to a flat tone. It's usually used on longer tones, say, half note or more.. to create the pulsating "alive" sound people like to hear, because vibrato is a natural quality to the human voice. Otherwise, we would all sort of sound like a bunch of elementary school band students.

The "proper" way to vibrato is to rock the finger from side to side like Havic mentioned. The reason why it sort of changed to an up and down motion is because the bass guitar has frets, where as the double does not, and the side to side motion can be very subtle on a fretted instrument. But the purpose is not to change the note. It's technically not supposed to exceed a semitone. Going all the way to the semitone would be considered a wide vibrato... which is not used often.

The speed of vibrato depends on the piece played or the intensity which you are trying to created. A really wide fast vibrato sounds goofy.

Either way, vibrato starting with an up motion or a down motion is not going to make a difference. Provided you are pulling/pushing the string the same distance, the altered tone will always be the same regardless of whether you pulled down on the string or pushed up. It just so happens that you might alter the note more by pulling down because our fingers are stronger pulling down then pushing up.

And on bass guitar you will always be raising the note in the vibrato because you are essentially tightening the string. Only on a double bass could you both raise and lower the pitch because we rock back and forth... there is no string bending involved and no frets.


LR

[Son of Magni]

Generally speaking vibrato should be below the note.

The rate of vibrato should be in time with the beat, like if you're playing a half note the vibrato rate should be 8ths or 16ths.

[Thonk]

I hate when people think that speed = good when it comes to vibrato.

It sounds so gross.

[Jake=Suck]

I perfer a slower vibrato as opposed to a fast "metal" vibrato. i go side to side and ussually start by moving up(towards the nut) and then down. And its nice to see you posting in the bass forum aria, i like most of your threads/posts in the guitar forum.

[PERFECTXDARK]

I hate metal.

I dont mind fast vibratos,but I think groovey slower vibratos sounds amazing and so full.

[Aria.]

It sounds to me like you are describing bending the note rather than vibrato.
Vibrato is an effect, which creates a pulsating sound.. which most people prefer to a flat tone. It's usually used on longer tones, say, half note or more.. to create the pulsating "alive" sound people like to hear, because vibrato is a natural quality to the human voice. Otherwise, we would all sort of sound like a bunch of elementary school band students.

The "proper" way to vibrato is to rock the finger from side to side like Havic mentioned. The reason why it sort of changed to an up and down motion is because the bass guitar has frets, where as the double does not, and the side to side motion can be very subtle on a fretted instrument. But the purpose is not to change the note. It's technically not supposed to exceed a semitone. Going all the way to the semitone would be considered a wide vibrato... which is not used often.

The speed of vibrato depends on the piece played or the intensity which you are trying to created. A really wide fast vibrato sounds goofy.

Either way, vibrato starting with an up motion or a down motion is not going to make a difference. Provided you are pulling/pushing the string the same distance, the altered tone will always be the same regardless of whether you pulled down on the string or pushed up. It just so happens that you might alter the note more by pulling down because our fingers are stronger pulling down then pushing up.

And on bass guitar you will always be raising the note in the vibrato because you are essentially tightening the string. Only on a double bass could you both raise and lower the pitch because we rock back and forth... there is no string bending involved and no frets.


LR
dumbass?
cant read?

[bottlerocket]

^ Don't call Heather a dumbass, please, Ben. Play nice.

[Aria.]

welll everyone else managed to read the first post fine and post relevant replies except for heather who posted a huge off topic post with a lot of false information in it

[katana_manatee]

I love to use vibrato on my fretless, not so much on my fretted but I do use some. On fretless I find if you move into the note from a tiny bit flat the note seems to sing more.

I use the classical style of vibrato from the elbow, but on fretted I will sometimes use the more blues stlye vibrato whereby you are slightly bending it up and down towards the sides of the neck.

But fretless vibrato is where it's at for me on bass.

[PERFECTXDARK]

welll everyone else managed to read the first post fine and post relevant replies except for heather who posted a huge off topic post with a lot of false information in it

False Information?










Dont come in here hateing on vetrans.

[Roogen]

welll everyone else managed to read the first post fine and post relevant replies except for heather who posted a huge off topic post with a lot of false information in it

Actually I didn't get what you were talking about until, she posted, yes she was reaffirming what you said earlier, but she added some content and rephrased in a better to understand way. And its not off topic because this thread is about vibrato and thats what she was talking about. No worries!

[Thonk]

False Information?










Dont come in here hateing on vetrans.
Ben's been here longer than you think.

[bottlerocket]

Ben's quite an accomplished classical guitarist from what I've heard. I'm pretty sure he knows a bit about music theory and technique, too.

But still, no hating on either side here.

[Charlie Manson]

But what Lioghtraven said is false you can do the "higher/lower/higher/lower" vibrato on a fretted instrument. It's more difficult but it sounds much better and it's what seperates the men among boys.

[Son of Magni]

welll everyone else managed to read the first post fine and post relevant replies except for heather who posted a huge off topic post with a lot of false information in it

I think people should be able to provide their opinion without being insulted, don't read it if you don't want to...

[Aria.]

ok sorry but i just dont udnerstand why that user posted what they posted

[Aria.]

gavon u know black ppl can post itt as well

[Spazzout22]

But what Lioghtraven said is false you can do the "higher/lower/higher/lower" vibrato on a fretted instrument. It's more difficult but it sounds much better and it's what seperates the men among boys.

I'm sure i'm just ignorant, but how exactly do you get a note that's lower than the fretted pitch without either going down a fret and bending like your life depended on it, or retuning your string?

[Az_Holl]

gavon u know black ppl can post itt as well
:lol:

We need you here more often.

[Left Shoe]

But what Lioghtraven said is false you can do the "higher/lower/higher/lower" vibrato on a fretted instrument. It's more difficult but it sounds much better and it's what seperates the men among boys.

i really dont think a higher/lower vibrato on a fretted instrument is going to really matter that much to be honest.

i do the upright vibrato, usually on fretless or upright, but i will occasionally use it on the fretted

[Aria.]

ok yeah left shoe i guess your right ppl who arent very good musiicans dont notice these things and it doesnt matter much to them
your right

[Aria.]

:lol:

We need you here more often.

u do realize i made that post because there is a black person trying to post in this thread but he keeps getting his post deleted

[HaVIC5]

But what Lioghtraven said is false you can do the "higher/lower/higher/lower" vibrato on a fretted instrument. It's more difficult but it sounds much better and it's what seperates the men among boys.
How, pray tell, would one do this?

[Jimbobntnr]

I'm sure i'm just ignorant, but how exactly do you get a note that's lower than the fretted pitch without either going down a fret and bending like your life depended on it, or retuning your string?

you quickly reach up with your plucking hand and detune the string one semi tone, and then begin the bending, on the final release, you re-tune the string to pitch.

duh.

[Left Shoe]

thats pretty much exactly what i said.

hes playing it up as something terribly important, on a jazz gig you probably wont be doing vibrato, session gig? probably not so much either. in your own band? sure why the hell not.

yes it is something musical to have in your arsenal but its not as important as say...being able to walk a bass line

[Sammy_L_D]

Aria, you play harp?

Pedal or Celtic?

[Az_Holl]

u do realize i made that post because there is a black person trying to post in this thread but he keeps getting his post deleted
Nope, just thought it was funny.

And just because your black doesnt mean you get to say whatever you want.

[Aria.]

ok so ive learned a fair bit in this thread

-bass plyaers dont know how to use vibrato
-bass players dont care about vibrato


tahts cool guys as long as ur happy with ur playing thats cool i guess


the funiest thing about this tread is ppl dont know taht u can flatten the pitch of a note with vibrato and are acting like this is outrageous and unheard of and impossible :lol:

[BassVirtuoso]

Ben you're being racist against black people and bassists.