A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Vibrato

by Harry Collins Deacon

VIBRATO, an Italian term (past participle of, or verb adjective derived from, vibrare, to vibrate), denoting an effect, something akin to Tremolo (which see), yet differing essentially from it, used in musical performance. In vocal music its mechanism is an alternate partial extinction and re-inforcement of a note, producing almost its apparent re-iteration. In music for bowed instruments it is identical with the vocal 'tremolo,' consisting of a rapid change of pitch brought about by a quick oscillation of the hand while the finger is stopping a note, and producing a trembling sound or thrill. It is strange that vibrato on the bowed instrument is the tremolo on the voice, while the tremolo in instrumental music (the rapid reiteration of the same note by up and down bow) more nearly resembles the vocal vibrato. It is sometimes heard on the flute and cornet. When the vibrato is really an emotional thrill it can be highly effective, as also the tremolo in extreme cases, but when, as is too often the case, it degenerates into a mannerism, its effect is either painful, ridiculous, or nauseous, entirely opposed to good taste and common sense, and to be severely reprehended in all students whether of vocal or instrumental music. Hard and fast lines in matters of expression in art are difficult, if not almost impossible, to draw. Cultivation of taste, observance of good models, and especially the true and unbiassed analysis of the human feelings, must be the guides as to how far these two means of expression are to be used.

[ H. C. D. ]