Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Vibrato, not just a good idea

From a post on the Vocalist by David Kastrup:
Vibrato is caused when the air flow exceeds the resistance of the folds. The Hagen-Poiseuille Law references that when the airflow becomes greater than the resistance of the conduit, laminar flow is terminated and turbulent flow begins. The trachea terminates as a conduit when the vocal folds come into play. Please understand there is a difference in the definition of the gas law and the physiologic application of the gas law.
So much for not using vibrato in baroque music, huh? Vibrato is not just a good idea. Like gravity, it's the law.

3 comments:

Anna said...

Hi!
In reference to vibrato, what do you think about stylistic incorporation of it (i.e. in jazz)?

Elaine Fine said...

I think that vibrato in jazz is just fine! According to the "law," it seems that with adequate air flow you get vibrato, no matter what kind of idiom you are playing or singing in.

Anonymous said...

Right, however, there are times when a straight tone is better in the context. In other words, controlling the allowance of vibrato in a certain line. It's all about power over your instrument