rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryvibratoMusical pitch variation
noun

vibrato

vih-BRAH-toh/vɪˈbrɑːtəʊ/

A slight, regular variation in the pitch of a musical tone.

The violinist rocks a fingertip to create vibrato.

Violinist subtly rocks fingertip on stopped string while bowing, small curved movement marks at finger convey pitch wavering, no notation or writing.
Etymology
vibratoItaliantremulous musical effect

Italian vibrato names a trembling musical effect, as if the sound were affected by strong emotion. Here that trembling takes the form of a slight wavering in pitch.

In context

Philharmonia Orchestra5:58
My teacher used to get me to practice vibrato by going up and down the string and then gradually getting smaller and smaller and smaller until you get the rotations, the feeling in the arm, correct.
Instrument: Cello

More examples

  • Her voice had a warm, controlled vibrato.
  • He practiced producing an even vibrato on the cello.
  • Too much vibrato blurred the sustained note.

Forms

vibrato

vibrate verb — move rapidly back and forth

Similar words

tremolo
Tremolo varies loudness or rapidly repeats a note; vibrato varies pitch.
trill
A trill alternates between distinct neighboring notes; vibrato fluctuates around one pitch.