New Voice Major!! Tips on vibrato

I just switched from a trumpet major to a voice major because I love choral music so much I want to major in choral conducting. I am kinda worried because I haven't taken any voice lessons in my life. Anyways My teacher says I have a great voice, but I am really struggling on developing my vibrato without forcing it. Does anyone have any tips on vibrato for a baritone?

I hesitate to comment on this because I have unorthodox views on this subject.

Vocal vibrato is a very personal thing, and I wouldn't know how to begin to teach it. For most people, it's almost instinctive. It was for me from day one; no one had to teach it to me or even fine-tune it. If you've never taken any vocal training before, I'd say that as with almost any other instrument, vibrato is of relatively low priority until you establish strength and facility in more important areas. If you're truly a novice, though with a good voice, I'd work on applying the fundamentals of breath support that you've no doubt learnt as a trumpet player to your singing. It is also essential to develop complete control of the voice while keeping it free, open and without tension. Never, ever force anything. You'll regret it every single time. Control is key - any power, agility and beauty you'll ever have as a vocalist will come from careful control, not from muscling it.

I have a feeling once you begin building the voice, your vibrato will come to you naturally. I'd suggest that once it does, you work on being able to control its speed and width to blend with other singers, and also being able to turn it on and off completely, especially for choral singing; in some styles and ensembles vibrato must be closely checked or removed from the equation entirely.

One more thing I'd recommend: by all means, explore your capabilities as a singer, but sing within yourself, and never let your own ego or any teacher try to make you something you're not. If you end up with a great big operatic voice naturally, then praise God. But many a lovely voice has been destroyed because the singer or his teacher tried to force his voice to become the next Pavarotti when he was better suited to lighter fare. This is epidemic at the college level; there is a lot of pressure to build opera singers, and only a tiny fraction of all singers are born with a voice with that kind of potential. This does not mean that one cannot become a fine singer anyway. The very best all-around singers I know have never trod the boards of an opera house stage, and most have never even considered it. Just be aware of what is going on in your voice, learn who you are as a singer and as a person...and if something you're doing or are being asked to do hurts, STOP.

I hesitate to comment on this because I have unorthodox views on this subject.

Vocal vibrato is a very personal thing, and I wouldn't know how to begin to teach it. For most people, it's almost instinctive. It was for me from day one; no one had to teach it to me or even fine-tune it. If you've never taken any vocal training before, I'd say that as with almost any other instrument, vibrato is of relatively low priority until you establish strength and facility in more important areas. If you're truly a novice, though with a good voice, I'd work on applying the fundamentals of breath support that you've no doubt learnt as a trumpet player to your singing. It is also essential to develop complete control of the voice while keeping it free, open and without tension. Never, ever force anything. You'll regret it every single time. Control is key - any power, agility and beauty you'll ever have as a vocalist will come from careful control, not from muscling it.

I have a feeling once you begin building the voice, your vibrato will come to you naturally. I'd suggest that once it does, you work on being able to control its speed and width to blend with other singers, and also being able to turn it on and off completely, especially for choral singing; in some styles and ensembles vibrato must be closely checked or removed from the equation entirely.

One more thing I'd recommend: by all means, explore your capabilities as a singer, but sing within yourself, and never let your own ego or any teacher try to make you something you're not. If you end up with a great big operatic voice naturally, then praise God. But many a lovely voice has been destroyed because the singer or his teacher tried to force his voice to become the next Pavarotti when he was better suited to lighter fare. This is epidemic at the college level; there is a lot of pressure to build opera singers, and only a tiny fraction of all singers are born with a voice with that kind of potential. This does not mean that one cannot become a fine singer anyway. The very best all-around singers I know have never trod the boards of an opera house stage, and most have never even considered it. Just be aware of what is going on in your voice, learn who you are as a singer and as a person...and if something you're doing or are being asked to do hurts, STOP.

Thank a lot that actually really helps. You gave me much more perspective on many issues I deal with.

I feel as though some times i have to force my voice so I can sound more like a bass or more like a opera singer, but that has caused me a lot of pain. Luckely I think I have a good teacher she tells me not to try and sound like anything but to just let my real voice come out, which is hard.

key word: Relax.

Just sing.

if you have to force it, it isn't a good vibrato. Your teacher is right, sing with *your* voice, not like someone/something elses.

Amen to that!

Muzic, I'm glad what I said was some help to you. There is something else I'd like to add:

I assume you're fairly young, in your late teens or early twenties. While your voice changed a long time ago, no doubt, your voice will continue to respond to hormonal changes in your body for some years yet. It is generally understood that a person's voice is not fully mature until s/he reaches at least the age of 30 - which is why I've always thought that asking college students in their early 20s to sing full-length operas written for mature adults was ludicrous. You may not know for some years yet what your full potential is, so be patient and train your maturing voice carefully.

Best of luck, and happy singing!

I suggest singing any sort of warm-up for the voice. a lot.

Then one day, your vibrato will magically appear, and there will be much fanfare.

Really.

Don't force vibrato. It makes you sound stupid. Ok, so maybe not stupid isn't the best word for it, but you will be looked down upon. Probably.

It's silly, don't do it.

That in no way means you should be afraid of your vibrato sounding fake, because it probably doesn't. Forced vibrato is pretty easy to spot because it sounds ridiculous, so if you're worried, listen to yourself.

On the topic actually singing with vibrato, I regret that I can't really give you some sort of definitive technique. If there were, we all would be forcing vibrato. Keep in mind, vibrato is very different from one person to the next. I'm going to emphasize the word very. There is no "trick" to developing a vibrato. I would also like to note that vibrato has nothing to do with the stomach ( I mention this because it seems some people are under the impression that vibrato comes from the stomach).

I would tell you to sing until your vocal chord's bleed, but that's decidedly a bad thing and probably counterproductive. Sing a lot. Have good breath support as always. Vibrato should be very natural. You really don't have to think about it. I challenge you not to do so for a while.

Its really just a matter of getting used to your own voice and what it wants to do.

At least that's what conclusion I have come to in my infinite 16 year old wisdom.

Ya I have vibrato now!!! Gezz that was faster than expected!! The best part is I dont force the sound I just can sing with vibrato when I need to (Just in time to my midterm recital is tomorrow). What helped me the most were yawn sighs and some good warm ups. Thanks so much for the advice!!