Vai Vibrato?

[DarkBob]

Hi all,

I've recently been watching Steve on a few videos. I noticed his vibrato in all of them is wierd (to me). It looks like he's doing the kind of vibrato that you normally see a violinist doing. I remember reading it somewhere on Vai.com, but I looked back at this the other day and I still can't seem to get the same technique to work for me.

I did a few searches in the forum, but I can't really find any mention of it. I'm still stuck in the (kind of) Malmsteen finger waggle - pivot from the knuckle and twisting your wrist to bend the string up and down.

Basically do any of you use Vai's flavour of vibrato? Any tips as to how to get it off, and why you like it(or don't)??

(I'd guess that Steve likes it....)

Thanks in advance,
-HeadSound

[Ki swordsman]

you mean the circular motion vibrato?

It's just a mix of two standards(vertical and horizontal)of vibrato
I use it a fair bit in my playing but still use normal vibratos often.
whatever the song needs

it's very weird at first but not too hard to get working
you could try forcing yourself for a few days to only use that type whenever you play

[pawel]

In the end it seems to make little difference (to me at least, or maybe i'm doing it wrong...)....but it definately looks cool...

[Tubarão Guitars]

Definately SOUNDS cool to me!!!

Tubarão

[track7]

the only way it makes a tonal differnece is in the time.

both ways of vibrato classical and rock effectivly do the same thing sharpend and release the note. They do it over a differenet time scale though. Both thus giving differnt sounds. By mixing the 2 into 1 the sound you get is differnt although not many people can tell.

More than anyhting it just gives the performer more control over the vibrato.

track7

[Ki swordsman]

It has a very different feel though
reminds me of swaying around while drunk wwowwooOOwwwooOOwww..
..whoa..CRASH!!

[rfb]

Originally Posted by track7

the only way it makes a tonal differnece is in the time.

both ways of vibrato classical and rock effectivly do the same thing sharpend and release the note.

No, "classical-style" vibrato sends the note flat as well as sharp, which is why it sounds sweeter.

- rfb

[Bar_Hook]

me, I do a Kirk Hammett style vibrato, just sorta more your hand back and forth so its like pressing harder and softer on the string, not actually moving the string.

[Globbits]

Originally Posted by rfb

No, "classical-style" vibrato sends the note flat as well as sharp, which is why it sounds sweeter.

- rfb

Or you could start by pre-bending the note a bit sharp, and then putting vibrato on it.

[leishan]

I've tried to get the "Vai-brato" thing happening, but I can never seem to nail it down. I always thought it was more for "show"-Vai always comes up with the coolest looking stuff....

[RAI6]

I believe that using circular vibrato is all about control.
Does a classical pianist really need to lift his hands that high in a pause?
Of course not, but it helps him get some control over the pause, so that he won't rush the next note.
Circular vibrato works the same way.
You have this fairly large movement, but the vibrato is still "small".
So, you can really put some "power" behind it, without the note going way sharp, making you sound like your totally tone deaf!

[pawel]

Originally Posted by RAI6

I believe that using circular vibrato is all about control.
Does a classical pianist really need to lift his hands that high in a pause?
Of course not, but it helps him get some control over the pause, so that he won't rush the next note.
Circular vibrato works the same way.
You have this fairly large movement, but the vibrato is still "small".
So, you can really put some "power" behind it, without the note going way sharp, making you sound like your totally tone deaf!

Couldn't have said it better myself...

[iNFeRNaL]

I play guitar for 2 years now, and since i started (vai started my madness!) I used the vibrato vai uses. I practiced this technique for hours and hours, and after a while i got it to be pretty flawless. Not only does it sound very balanced, it lets you have perfect control over your string so you can put every bit of emotional intonation in your playing. Thats why i just cant stop using it. Of course, it looks great too, and every guitar teacher youll meet will be wondering where you came up with this amazing technique So please take the time to practise this vibrato, it really will improve your overal playing.

[spacenuke]

Originally Posted by Bar_Hook

me, I do a Kirk Hammett style vibrato, just sorta more your hand back and forth so its like pressing harder and softer on the string, not actually moving the string.

dunno what KH uses, but sounds like a classical-style vibrato.

[Texter]

The motion also works for brushing your teeth (SSV's motion that is)