I found a very interesting article online called "CARL PETKOFF AND HIS TECHNIQUE FOR CREATING A SUBTLE AND EXPRESSIVE FLUTE VIBRATO". In it, it describes six different types of vibrato.

See http://www.joearmstrong.info/petkoff_vibrato%5B3%5D.htm#exploring for a diagram. (You might need to scroll down a little.)

So which type of vibrato do you use?

I use number 5 myself.

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Here's a direct link to the diagram I was talking about: http://www.joearmstrong.info/_images/PETKOFF_VIB_PIX_362x649.jpg

And here is a summary of the types of vibrato discussed:

1. Lips (TOO - WOO - WOO - WOO - WOOH)

2. Jaw and Lips (TOO - WOH - WOH - WOH - WOH)

3. Tongue (TOO - YOO - YOO - YOO - YOOH)

4. Throat (TOO - OOO - OOO - OOO - OOOH)

5. Diaphragm (TOO - HOO - HOO - HOO - HOOH)

6. Soft Palate (TOO - GHOOH - GHOOH - GHOOH - GHOOH)

mine is completely natural, so I could not put it on a scale, search this forum for this topic, there have been several good posts...

Yes, I have read most of the other posts on vibrato but haven't seen anything that has broken down the different types before, although there has been a lot of debate on throat vs. diaphragm vibrato.

My vibrato comes naturally, too, but I can tell that of the six types listed, the one closest to how I do it is number 5 (rib cage/abdobmen/diaphragm).

The reason for my post was two-fold:

1. To share the Carl Petkoff vibrato article with those who might be interested.

2. To conduct a poll to find what percentage of flutist on this (and another) forum use each type.

Of course, some people will be like Carl Petkoff himself and not reveal the source of their vibrato. That's okay, too!

Thanks for the link. That was interesting. I really can't pin point which vibrato I use. It just always came naturaly to me when playing, like walking so I never gave it much thought.

I use my diaphragm, my lungs, and my flute. Too bad it still sounds terrible to me!

i use a combo of the the throat and the diaphragm. sometimes the lips, but thats a bit too strenuous and then im usually yelled at for being lazy in lesson.