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vibrato

vih-BRAH-toh /vɪˈbrɑːtoʊ/

nounC1

artistictechnical

A rapid, slight variation in pitch in singing or playing some instruments, producing a stronger or richer tone.

Vibrato is a natural, healthy oscillation of pitch that occurs when the vocal muscles are relaxed. It is distinct from a 'tremolo' (which is a variation in volume) or a 'wobble' (which is a slow, uncontrolled pitch variation).

The story behind the word. Borrowed directly from Italian, 'vibrato' comes from the Latin verb 'vibrare', which meant to shake, brandish, or quiver. In the 18th century, Italian vocal masters began using the term to describe the warm, shimmering quality of a relaxed, well-trained voice.

Word relationships

oscillation: Oscillation is a general scientific term for any back-and-forth movement, while vibrato is specifically the musical application of this to pitch.

straight tone: A vocal technique where the singer holds a note with absolutely no pitch variation, common in early music and modern pop.

Commonly confused with

tremolo: Tremolo is a rapid variation in volume (amplitude), whereas vibrato is a rapid variation in pitch (frequency).

Word family

vibrate (verb): To move back and forth rapidly.
vibration (noun): An instance of vibrating; a rapid linear motion.

Collocations

natural vibrato
wide vibrato
controlled vibrato
vibrato speed
sing with vibrato

Example sentences

"Her natural vibrato gave her voice a warm, rich quality that filled the entire concert hall." Critiquing an opera singer's technique.
"The coach worked with the student to develop a steady, controlled vibrato rather than a forced wobble." A description of vocal training.

Memory hook

Vibrato sounds like 'vibrate'. It is the gentle, rapid vibration of pitch that makes a voice sound warm and alive. Vibrato is the vibration of pitch.

When not to use

Do not use vibrato to describe a completely flat, straight tone, or a voice that is shaking due to extreme nervousness or vocal strain.

Fun facts

In the Baroque era, vibrato was not used constantly as it is in modern opera; instead, it was treated as an ornament, applied only to specific notes to add emotional emphasis.

Related words

resonance, timbre, register

Explore more words

tremulous, timbre, Oscillation, tempo, undertone

Also appears in

Music, Instruments & Performance → Playing Instruments