It is an effective technique for singers that can be found in almost any song you listen to. From classical to pop and musical theatre to jazz, vibrato – that warble in the voice – is a way of adding emotional depth to singing.
It’s even backed by academic research, which found that opera singers with stable, expressive vibrato tended to get scored more highly by judges.
Vibrato matters because of how it carries emotion, but what exactly is it in practice and how can you develop a vibrato voice?
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Vibrato (from the Italian word “vibrare,” meaning “to vibrate”), is a musical effect in which a note changes pitch subtly and quickly to add a different tone. It often gets mixed up with tremolo, which is actually a change in volume rather than pitch.
Singing teacher Joanna Lee, a professional singer, actor, and voiceover artist, describes using vibrato as like adding texture and life to a note.
“It can make the sound more pleasing, dramatic, dynamic, soft, emotional,” she says. “It just gives another dimension to what would ordinarily be a simple, straight tone.”
“Technically speaking, vibrato is an oscillation of a pitch which happens very naturally around a central note, a slight and controlled wobble up and down that is activated when you have a relaxed throat and your breath flow and support is working together properly,” she adds. “Or just think of it as a gentle wave in the ocean that rhythmically ripples up and down.”
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Vibrato is a powerful tool that can add professionalism and style to a wide range of voices.
Singers who are trained to sing with vibrato tend to have greater vocal control and be able to project farther away without the use of amplification. There are plenty of famous examples that demonstrate it.
One singer who springs to mind for Lee is Barbra Streisand, who has “exquisite, crystal-clear control and precision, and uses vibrato to add drama to her voice by building it at the end of phrases.”
Another is Whitney Houston, whose “powerful vibrato in her chest voice just hits you between the eyes, especially when she transitions into it from a straight note. Freddie Mercury had a faster vibrato, which, when added to all of his other vocal qualities and incredible range, gave him his distinctive sound.”
She also cites musical singers such as Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Idina Menzel, Shirley Bassey, and Julie Andrews.
“A classic belter who used absolutely loads of huge, open vibrato in her chest voice – and this became her signature sound – was the great Ethel Merman. Just listen to Everything’s Coming Up Roses!”
Building your vibrato adds depth and character to your voice, but it’s a technique that requires practice to master.
“I actually think it’s quite difficult to teach vibrato,” Lee says. “I focus on trying to teach the foundations for a good, controlled voice, and when everything falls into place, then the vibrato starts to happen quite naturally.”
When executed correctly, vibrato creates a shimmering, expressive quality to the sound of a voice. Because holding a straight tone also takes more breath pressure, using vibrato can also be a healthy tool for singers to incorporate.
“It’s an odd phenomenon that is difficult to explain, but once you have found it, it clicks into place and you will discover ways of using and controlling it to enhance your singing,” Lee says.
“It should always be natural, but make sure to work on your entire technique first before you can expect miracles.”
1. Relax your voice – and body
As a singer, your body is the instrument. It’s important to do vocal exercises before a performance to open up your airways, chest, and diaphragm; warm up your facial muscles; and ensure that your throat, jaw, and tongue are all loose and relaxed.
If you’re physically tense, it will impact your voice. Practise deep breathing, shoulder- and neck-relaxing techniques, and yoga or stretching from head to toe.
2. Practise breath control
Practise deep, diaphragmatic breathing rather than taking shallow breaths. You can work on achieving this by placing your hand on your abdomen and inhaling deeply until you feel your stomach fully expand. Maintain a steady airflow by exhaling slowly and keeping your breath steady as you sing to help control the oscillations in pitch that create vibrato.
3. Begin slow
Start by holding a single note steadily. Focus on maintaining pitch and tone quality to help build control, which is essential for developing vibrato. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable and practise sustaining high notes with a gentle vibrato.
4. Seek professional training
Take your singing to the next level by partnering with an experienced vocal coach. The right teacher can help you identify strengths and weaknesses, and share appropriate techniques and specific exercises to master your vocal technique.
It’s also a good idea to record yourself to monitor progress and help identify areas for improvement.
5. Avoid overdoing it
Vibrato alters the pitch and frequency at which you sing, but it should be subtle. It should come naturally and not feel strained or unnatural.
Overuse can make your singing sound artificial or overdone. Don’t wobble or waver excessively, because it can lead to poor pitch accuracy and loss of control – or, as a Guardian writer once unfavourably put it, give your voice the “unpleasant sound of a billy goat.”
Lee also shares the following tips to help develop a vibrato voice:
- Attack a note as powerfully as you can, and then gradually pull it back in volume until you hit a sweet spot at which you should find the pitch starts to fluctuate. Use an “oooh” or “eee” sound.
- Sing a smooth note, and then move your hand up and down in front of you when you want the vibrato to start. You will hopefully feel your voice connecting to the movement.
- Impersonate another singer who uses vibrato. You should be aiming to develop your own technique eventually, but it’s a great way to discover the vocal abilities you may have. Once you feel what you’re doing on the inside, you can modify the sound to make it more natural.
- Keep your throat relaxed and control your outward breath with plenty of support.
- Don’t push or force vibrato. Always aim for that natural sweet spot where it comes to life on its own. You can hear a forced sound in a singer’s voice when it sounds unstable or shaky, or is unevenly paced. It should feel comfortable and natural.
And remember: Nailing a vibrato voice isn’t the be all and end all of a great singing performance.
“Everybody’s voice is different. If it doesn’t come naturally to you, then that’s absolutely fine,” Lee says. “You can still sound gorgeous by making the most of other techniques such as breathiness, vocal fry, dynamics, great phrasing, and diction.”
“Maybe the simplicity of your natural sound is enough and you don’t need to add anything else,” she says. “We are all so unique and should embrace that.”