Why do singers use vibrato?
Dear Straight Dope: Why does a gifted singer often lapse into a vibrato (wavering tone) after a few seconds of holding a long note? Is this a natural tendency or is it done for effect? I think the mark of a good singer should be the ability hold a steady note, without wavering between sharp and flat. — Curious280@aol.com I bet you’re thinking of “I Will Always Love You,” sung by Whitney Houston. Am I right? If not, did I put that song into your head? I love to do that. Short answer: it’s done for effect. Hostile answer: you are an uncultured philistine, and probably pick your toenails at the opera. Long answer: hey, that’s why I took this gig in the first place. Anyway, first there’s gotta be a clarification of terms. And not just for you, but for the whole music community. A true vibrato is, as you describe, a fluctuation in pitch. The best demonstration of this is what good string players do, that is, rapidly move the left hand on the fingerboard so the pitch moves minutely up and do
