How to stop that darn vibrato?

Hey, I was wondering if some on the music afficionados on this stie could help me out. I have a pretty strong natural vibrato and if I hold a note for more than like 2 seconds that damn vibrato kicks in, esp. if it is a higher note in my range. This usually doesn't bother me but it is becoming a problem when I want to sing more( I guess the word is "poppish?") songs and want a more natural, less-trained sound to my voice. How do I ditch the vibrato?
p.s. In case anyone says "ask your voice teacher"-I would but she is on vacation right now and I won't see her for another week. I'm curious right now.

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Updated On: 9/11/04 at 07:10 PM

Thanks Margo. Sounds like a difficult task, but I'll defnitely try.

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i know that this is really bad to do but sometimes when youre desperate it works...i know that if youre tense while singing then you wont have vibrato...usually if your throat and neck are tense...this is really bad for your vocal chords but if you do it a couple times to get used to the sound and feel of it its usually easier to do what you want but correctly

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i know that this is really bad to do but sometimes when youre desperate it works...i know that if youre tense while singing then you wont have vibrato...usually if your throat and neck are tense...this is really bad for your vocal chords but if you do it a couple times to get used to the sound and feel of it its usually easier to do what you want but correctly

Really? Usually when I'm nervous my vibrato is really strong and I can't control it.

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Margo, will you be my mother now?

BlueWizard, when you're nervous your breath is more shaky anyway - you may have noticed that when people are nervous their voices shake when they speak? Well it works the same way with your singing voice.

I would advise not cutting out the vib all together unless your vocal teacher says to - it can be damaging.

be careful with your voice--you should practice this with your teacher. don't try anything involving tension.

be proud of your vibrato and that it works so easily for you. the vibrato is very important for your voice. for one thing, it keeps you on pitch.

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It varies with talent, experience, and work.

I had vibrato really young, I've had it as long as I can remember singing. It was an untrained vibrato, which changed with voice lessons, but natural nonetheless. It comes with practice and don't try to create it. It's unhealthy and sounds horrible.

Updated On: 9/12/04 at 05:48 PM

Just remember support when you are practicing. Even if you start soft, remember to support your breath. If you collapse your diaphragm and let your body go slack your sound will be weak and thready. One of the hardest things to do is hold a straight tone perfectly on pitch. Most singers will waver from pitch slightly while holding a note without the use of vibrato. When you sing a note straight, your vocal chords must stay at a single tension and at the same position to keep the note on pitch; while when you vibrate a note, the vocal chords don't have to be as precise. That's a plus of vibrato. But back to my point. If you are drilling on straight tones keep your ribcage supported and also get a solid stream of air going from your lungs. With enough practice you will be able to "turn on and off" your vibrato. Once you find something that works show your voice teacher when she gets back to make sure you aren't doing something that could damage your voice. Since we are only on the boards and not right with you, you should consult her afterward to make sure you chose a healthy style.

Thank you, Margo.

If there is anything else FOCI, just ask on the board. And let us know of your progress.