I can do regular vibrato well, and I wanted to try to move on to sympathetic vibrato. This is when you can vibrate on an open string without acually vibating on it. You vibrate on the third finger on either the string above or below the string you want to make a vibrato sound. My teacher showed me how to do it on her violin at first. I got home, tried to do it, and it wouldnt work! I went to my teacher the next day asking if something was wrong with my violin. She tried to do sympathetic vibrato and it worked! I tried it again and it still wouldnt work.


So my question is: are there any tips or exercises that anybody can give me? I didnt realize that you had to practice sympathetic vibrato really hard to get it right, just like regular vibrato. So if there is any advice anyone can give me, I would greatly appreciate it.

it just has to be EXACTLY in tune. listen carefully, it may be hard to find. as your regular vabrato gets bettrer so will the sympathetic.

ok I will give it a try. I have been using a tuner when trying to do the sympathetic, and I have been getting it in tune. I think my problem is I am having trouble with the bow. I have to get used to using the bow on one string and then putting my fingers on a different string lol. The first time I tried it I was like whoa that`s weird haha.

I will use some of your suggestions and hopefully my sympathetic will improve.


Thanks!

The way I'm able to tell is because it will make an echoey sound when you get it perfectly. It seems louder, but you will be able to hear the other string resonating in response

Yeah, just like the others said, it has to be PERFECTLY in tune. I like to check this by playing the note as a double-stop first, because when you're playing them at the same time it's easier to tell whether or not they're in tune. For example, to get sympathetic vibrato on the A string, play an "open" A and a "fourth finger on the D string" A together. Once they are the exact same pitch, DO NOT move your fourth finger, but play it only (that is, without the open A). You should hear a whispery, echoey sound. And if you're still questioning whether or not you've got it, look closely: you should be able to actually see the A string vibrating a bit. I hope this helps!!!