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Vibrato explained with classical vocal examples. Enrico Caruso, Titta Ruffo, Luisa Tetrazzini, Jose Mardones, Emmy Destinn, Elizabeth Rethberg, Ezio Pinza, Rosa Ponselle, Beniamino Gigli, Helen Traubel, Maria Callas, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Mario Del Monaco, Renata Tebaldi, Birgit Nilsson.
I have previously posted three videos demonstrating an aural representation of a tremolo. It is a negative, constrictive action of the vocal mechanism. This upload will give listeners an aural understanding of vibrato. It will help establish the differences between vibrato and tremolo.
One of the most fundamental tenets of good teaching and singing is to KNOW THE CORRECT SOUND. If we have an inferior concept of a sound then it is impossible to attain the right results.This upload demonstrates how all these great singers produce a similar vibrato action. They do not have the attributes that relate to a tremolo, such as variations of the goat like bleat.
There isn't enough space to go into the science of the vibrato so I will try to give a short explanation of the process. A vibrato is a fluctuation of pitch around a fundamental note. The fluctuation is about one third above the pitch and two thirds below the pitch. The peak of the vibrato is slightly louder and the trough is slightly quieter which gives an overall balance to the sound. The voice is therefore centred in the fundamental pitch with the vowel at its core.
There is also the speed of the vibrato to consider which is an average of 6.2 pulses per second. This was observed for the singers of the golden age. There is a desirable range between 6 to 7.0 pulses Per second. A bit less or more speed may be acceptable to the ear. The fluctuation of pitch can also be a bit narrower or wider.
A vibrato can be controlled and it can happen on its own; it can be sped up, slowed down or straight toned. The fluctuation can also be made wider and narrower. Louder singing calls for a bigger amplitude. I have tried to present a wide range of clips that demonstrate the various uses of vibrato, I won't comment on specific places, I will just mention the different uses of vibrato. It is up to you to observe them while listening.
Listen to how the singers presented use their vibrato; how they slow it down, speed it up and how they use straight tone. They do this at times for artistic expression and at other times they use the vibrato to attain freedom through release. Or to sing louder and higher. Generally low notes don't need as much energy as the higher notes. You will find less vibrato action on these notes, but the vibrato may change on low notes if they are sung louder. Lastly, the quality of the vibrato action is dependent on the development, coordination and freedom of the vocal mechanism. Caruso's vibrato action improved as his voice continued to develop.
I will also post videos on to other vocal faults :the wobble and the inverted vibrato.
Below are videos one, two, and three on the tremolo. They are arranged chronologically. It is worth while watching to get an idea of the sound and to compare the vibrato actions.
The Wobble;
