Left Hand & Intonation

Vibrato

A controlled oscillation of pitch produced through a relaxed, repeatable left-hand motion.

Common phrases: vibrato shaky · vibrato tension

44 reviewed clips

Filtered results: 44

0:00–0:57 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- Vibrato Demo

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

0:00–0:14 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- How to Practice Vibrato

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

0:09–0:31 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Violin Vibrato TUTORIAL

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

0:19–0:36 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- Accolay Concerto 1st page

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

0:51–1:05 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Keeping the Motion Relaxed

Ben Chan- How to Practice Vibrato

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

1:46–2:42 · ai proposed

Third Finger Instead of Weak Pinky Vibrato

Ben Chan- Wieniawsi 2nd Violin Concerto 3rd Mvmt Opening

Use when
the player is choosing fingering based on vibrato strength at the end of the phrase
Teaching summary
The clue says a 3-4 option is possible but the pinky vibrato is weaker than third finger. Choose the fingering that gives better vibrato and sound.
Open full video

1:47–2:10 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Violin Vibrato TUTORIAL

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

2:07–2:43 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- Suzuki Book #1 Minuet in G

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

2:28–2:49 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- How to Practice Vibrato

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

3:27–4:22 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Elbow Motion Lets the Finger Collapse Naturally

Ben Chan- How to Practice Vibrato

Use when
the player is using horizontal elbow motion so the finger and pinky collapse naturally without pushing
Teaching summary
The clue says not to push the finger or pinky down; bringing the elbow over makes the finger naturally collapse. Use elbow motion to create relaxed vibrato mechanics.
Open full video

4:10–5:02 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Watch the Elbow Motion

Ben Chan- How to Practice Vibrato

Use when
the player is learning that vibrato motion includes the elbow, not only the finger
Teaching summary
The clue points to the lower part of the motion and asks the player to watch the elbow. Frame the segment as vibrato mechanics driven by coordinated arm movement.
Open full video

4:30–5:21 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finger Bends After the Elbow Moves

Ben Chan- How to Practice Vibrato

Use when
the player is coordinating finger bend with elbow motion in vibrato
Teaching summary
The clue says the finger bends at about the same speed as the elbow, but cannot move until the elbow moves first. Use the elbow as the initiator for a relaxed vibrato cycle.
Open full video

5:39–5:59 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- Bruch Concerto in G minor 1st mvmt opening

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

5:43–6:04 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Slowing Down to Hear the Result

Ben Chan- Accolay Concerto 1st page

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

5:59–6:00 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- How to Practice Vibrato

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

6:00–6:37 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Bent Finger Motion

Ben Chan- How to Practice Vibrato

Use when
the player is developing vibrato from a bent finger rather than sliding the whole hand
Teaching summary
The clue says good vibrato comes from sticking the finger down and moving slowly from a bent position, not trying to move the whole hand. Keep the finger flexible and curved.
Open full video

6:00–6:40 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Clearer Core

Ben Chan- Bruch Concerto in G minor 1st mvmt opening

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

6:33–7:21 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Clearer Core

Ben Chan- Bruch Concerto in G minor 1st mvmt opening

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

6:39–7:04 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Reducing Pressure Tension

TUTORIAL: How to play "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen on the Violin

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

6:57–7:14 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Placing the Front of the Note

Ben Chan- Intro & Tarantella - Opening (1/3)

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

7:06–7:46 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- Wieniawski Legende

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

8:11–9:00 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Finding a Repeatable Motion

Ben Chan- Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Opening

Use when
the player’s vibrato feels tense, uneven, or difficult to start
Teaching summary
Keep the motion small, relaxed, and repeatable. Use the segment’s specific setup cue to remove excess gripping before trying to make the motion wider or faster.
Open full video

10:17–11:15 · ai proposed

Vibrato, Bow Speed, and Growth

TUTORIAL: How to play "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen on the Violin

Use when
the player is shaping a growing sound with bow speed, pressure, and vibrato
Teaching summary
The clue says growth can come from faster bow, more pressure, added vibrato, or a combination. Choose the mixture deliberately instead of simply getting louder.
Open full video

13:31–14:21 · ai proposed

Vibrato: Use It for Boldness, Then Back Off

TUTORIAL: How to play "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen on the Violin

Use when
the player is choosing register and vibrato size for a bold sound
Teaching summary
The clue says to use vibrato to make the sound bolder, then back off on the pickup. Shape vibrato size as part of the phrase, not as a constant setting.
Open full video

0:00–0:31 · ai proposed

Bow Speed: Matching Speed to the Sound

Ben Chan- Avoid Sickening Swells

Use when
the player’s sound is choked, thin, or hard to control dynamically
Teaching summary
Let bow travel rate match the amount of sound needed. Change speed deliberately before adding pressure so the string can continue to vibrate freely.
Open full video

0:00–0:49 · ai proposed

False Harmonics: Isolating the Essential Variable

Ben Chan- false harmonics

Use when
the player needs a clearer way to organize a technical practice task
Teaching summary
Narrow the task to one variable, slow it enough to observe, and repeat only long enough to learn something. The goal is not more repetition; it is clearer feedback.
Open full video

0:28–1:17 · ai proposed

Third Position: Vibrato Color on the D String

TUTORIAL: How to play "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen on the Violin

Use when
the player is choosing third position for color and vibrato on the D string
Teaching summary
The clue names third position, vibrato, and the D and G strings. Frame the passage as a position and color choice: third position gives the hand room to vibrate and shape the sound.
Open full video

0:38–1:26 · ai proposed

Double Stops: Balancing the Interval

Violin TUTORIAL: David Garrett "Zorba's Dance" by Ben Chan

Use when
the player needs two-note balance, hand shape, or intonation to settle
Teaching summary
Build the interval as a balanced shape rather than chasing both notes independently. Let the bow reveal the interval clearly while the left hand stays organized and light.
Open full video

0:44–1:30 · ai proposed

Bow Speed: Matching Speed to the Sound

Ben Chan- Avoid Sickening Swells

Use when
the player’s sound is choked, thin, or hard to control dynamically
Teaching summary
Let bow travel rate match the amount of sound needed. Change speed deliberately before adding pressure so the string can continue to vibrate freely.
Open full video

1:15–2:13 · ai proposed

Bow Speed: Matching Speed to the Sound

Ben Chan- Avoid Sickening Swells

Use when
the player’s sound is choked, thin, or hard to control dynamically
Teaching summary
Let bow travel rate match the amount of sound needed. Change speed deliberately before adding pressure so the string can continue to vibrate freely.
Open full video

1:50–2:47 · ai proposed

Bow Speed: Matching Speed to the Sound

Ben Chan- Avoid Sickening Swells

Use when
the player’s sound is choked, thin, or hard to control dynamically
Teaching summary
Let bow travel rate match the amount of sound needed. Change speed deliberately before adding pressure so the string can continue to vibrate freely.
Open full video

2:06–3:00 · ai proposed

Slow Practice Before the 3-4 Ending

Ben Chan- Wieniawsi 2nd Violin Concerto 3rd Mvmt Opening

Use when
the player can make the passage reliable by practicing slowly before testing the 3-4 option
Teaching summary
The clue says the player can get it every time by practicing slowly first, then mentions the 3-4 ending and weak pinky vibrato. Slow work should stabilize the route before choosing the ending fingering.
Open full video

2:13–3:00 · ai proposed

Bow Speed: Matching Speed to the Sound

Ben Chan- Avoid Sickening Swells

Use when
the player’s sound is choked, thin, or hard to control dynamically
Teaching summary
Let bow travel rate match the amount of sound needed. Change speed deliberately before adding pressure so the string can continue to vibrate freely.
Open full video

3:14–4:05 · ai proposed

Collapsed Knuckle Blocks Vibrato

Ben Chan- Rounding the Fourth Finger

Use when
the player is preventing first-knuckle collapse so vibrato action can work
Teaching summary
The clue says if the first knuckle collapses, vibrato action cannot work. Keep the finger structure supported enough for vibrato to move.
Open full video

3:46–4:45 · ai proposed

Fourth Finger: Isolating the Essential Variable

Tutorial: How to Play Bleach Never Meant To Belong

Use when
the player needs a clearer way to organize a technical practice task
Teaching summary
Narrow the task to one variable, slow it enough to observe, and repeat only long enough to learn something. The goal is not more repetition; it is clearer feedback.
Open full video

3:58–4:54 · ai proposed

Orchestral Balance: Choosing the Musical Role

TUTORIAL: Danse Macabre Opening Solo

Use when
the player needs to fit the surrounding texture instead of overplaying
Teaching summary
Choose dynamic weight according to the role of the line. Let the ensemble hierarchy determine how much the part projects, even when the written part looks active.
Open full video

4:00–4:20 · ai proposed

Bow Speed: Matching Speed to the Sound

Ben Chan- Sibelius Violin Concerto Opening

Use when
the player’s sound is choked, thin, or hard to control dynamically
Teaching summary
Let bow travel rate match the amount of sound needed. Change speed deliberately before adding pressure so the string can continue to vibrate freely.
Open full video

4:02–4:46 · ai proposed

Pinky Shape: Avoid Inside-Out Collapse

Ben Chan- Rounding the Fourth Finger

Use when
the player is correcting the pinky shape when the first knuckle collapses but the second does not
Teaching summary
The clue describes the pinky looking collapsed inside out. Treat this as fourth-finger joint shape and setup, not generic shifting.
Open full video

4:05–4:41 · ai proposed

Bow Speed: Matching Speed to the Sound

Ben Chan- Nearer My God, to Thee

Use when
the player’s sound is choked, thin, or hard to control dynamically
Teaching summary
Let bow travel rate match the amount of sound needed. Change speed deliberately before adding pressure so the string can continue to vibrate freely.
Open full video

4:50–5:49 · ai proposed

Intonation: Listening Before Correcting

Violin Vibrato TUTORIAL

Use when
the player cannot reliably hear, place, or sustain the pitch
Teaching summary
Slow the material enough to hear each pitch in context. Use a stable tone and relaxed setup so the ear can correct the note instead of compensating for tension.
Open full video

6:41–7:40 · ai proposed

Bow Changes: Smoothing the Bow Change

Ben Chan- Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Opening

Use when
the player hears bumps, accents, or tension at direction changes
Teaching summary
Prepare the change before the bow reverses so the sound can continue through the turn. Keep the hand and arm coordinated rather than making a separate abrupt motion at the change.
Open full video

9:00–9:56 · ai proposed

Bow Speed: Finding a Clearer Core

Ben Chan- Wieniawsi 2nd Violin Concerto 3rd Mvmt Opening

Use when
the player’s sound is choked, thin, or hard to control dynamically
Teaching summary
Let bow travel rate match the amount of sound needed. Change speed deliberately before adding pressure so the string can continue to vibrate freely.
Open full video

9:50–10:10 · ai proposed

Held Note: Avoid the Plain Sound

TUTORIAL: How to play "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen on the Violin

Use when
the player is shaping a held note so its length has musical interest
Teaching summary
The clue says the note must be held for its full length and warns against making it plain. Treat the held note as performance shaping rather than travel coordination.
Open full video

10:53–11:22 · ai proposed

Fourth Finger: Finding a Clearer Core

TUTORIAL: Danse Macabre Opening Solo

Use when
the player needs a clearer way to organize a technical practice task
Teaching summary
Narrow the task to one variable, slow it enough to observe, and repeat only long enough to learn something. The goal is not more repetition; it is clearer feedback.
Open full video