Ray Chen teaches Wrist Vibrato part 1

Summary

This video tutorial teaches viewers how to master wrist vibrato (vbr) on a string instrument in four simple steps. The instructor explains the differences between wrist and arm vibrato, focusing on the wrist technique to avoid tension and potential injuries. Step-by-step, the video demonstrates how to practice wrist vibrato starting without a bow, moving through each finger, and building up to scales and melodies. Special emphasis is placed on the challenging fourth finger and maintaining a continuous vibrato between notes. The tutorial ends with a challenge and a preview of part two, which will cover lower positions and shifting.

Takeaways

• 🎻 Ver is the rotation of the tip of the finger along the string, with two types: wrist ver and arm ver.
• 💪 Arm ver is easier but can cause tension and injury, so wrist ver is preferred.
• 👋 Start with the left hand in the third position, practicing the rotation without using a bow or placing fingers down.
• 🎶 Once comfortable, begin placing fingers down while maintaining the same rotation motion.
• 🖐️ The fourth finger is the hardest to control due to its weakness, but can be supported by the third finger.
• 🎯 Practice focusing on other fingers while maintaining a steady ver motion with the fourth finger down.
• 🔄 Make sure to vibrate continuously between notes without stopping, which helps maintain smooth phrasing.
• 🎼 Challenge yourself by playing a scale with constant ver between notes to develop fluidity.
• 🎵 Try applying these techniques to pieces like the opening line of 'Meditation' from Thaïs.
• 🎯 The goal is to maintain the flow of ver throughout phrases, avoiding choppy or disjointed notes.

Q & A

What is 'ver' as described in the video?

'Ver' refers to the rotation of the tip of the finger along the string. The video describes two types: wrist ver and arm ver.

Why is wrist ver preferred over arm ver?

Wrist ver is preferred because arm ver can cause tension and lead to injuries, while wrist ver offers better control and is less likely to cause strain.

What is the first step in learning wrist ver according to the video?

The first step is to place your left hand in the third position against the shoulder of the instrument and practice rotating your hand back and forth without using a bow or placing any fingers down.

What is the purpose of practicing wrist rotation without the bow or fingers down?

This helps to get used to the motion of wrist rotation, allowing you to develop fluidity and control before adding additional elements like fingers or the bow.

What should you focus on when placing fingers down during wrist ver practice?

When placing fingers down, you should focus on maintaining the same wrist rotation motion as before, ensuring that adding fingers doesn’t interrupt the fluidity of the movement.

Which finger is usually the hardest to vibrate with and why?

The fourth finger is usually the hardest to vibrate with because it is the weakest finger.

What are two ways to improve ver with the fourth finger?

First, you can focus on moving the other fingers while keeping the fourth finger down. Second, you can support the fourth finger by placing the third finger next to it and vibrating them together.

What is the next step once you become confident in vibrating individual notes?

Once confident, you should try to play a scale while ensuring that the ver continues smoothly between the notes without stopping.

Why is it important not to stop the ver between notes?

Stopping the ver between notes breaks up the line and makes it difficult to create a smooth, continuous phrase, impacting the musicality and phrasing of the piece.

What is the challenge mentioned for the week?

The challenge for the week is to maintain wrist ver without stopping between notes and practice this with a scale or a piece like the opening line of 'Meditation' from Thaïs.