vibrato

Vibrato is a regular, small variation in pitch around a central note. It is produced by periodic changes in pitch or frequency and is used to enrich tone, add warmth, and increase expressive sustains in performance. The exact rate and depth of vibrato vary by performer, instrument, and style.

In singing, vibrato results from controlled oscillation of the laryngeal and supporting muscles, sometimes aided by changes in breath support and vocal tract shaping. Typical rates are around 5–7 cycles per second, with a pitch deviation commonly described in tens of cents. Vocal vibrato can be narrow and rapid or broader and slower, and its presence is often a stylistic norm in many classical traditions, though some styles prefer a more restrained or even absent vibrato.

In instruments, vibrato is produced by deliberate oscillation of pitch through physical means. String instruments achieve vibrato by subtle left-hand movement that modulates tension and effective string length, often executed with the wrist or forearm. Brass players vary embouchure and air flow to produce lip vibrato, while woodwinds may use small changes in breath pressure or throat position. Guitarists can use finger-based vibrato or a tremolo arm to achieve similar effects. Rates similar to singing (roughly 5–8 Hz) are common, with vibrato widths ranging from a few tens of cents to around a semitone or more, depending on instrument and style.

Historically, vibrato usage has varied, with some periods favoring restrained approaches and others embracing broader, more pronounced vibrato. Notation typically leaves vibrato unmarked; composers may indicate sans vibrato or with vibrato as a performance instruction.