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Vibrato – Definition
Vibrato is a musical effect created by small, regular variations in pitch around a central note. It adds warmth, expression, and a singing quality to musical performances.
What is Vibrato?
Vibrato occurs naturally in the human voice and on many acoustic instruments, including strings and wind instruments. In electronic instruments such as synthesizers, vibrato is often produced using a modulation wheel, aftertouch, or low-frequency oscillator (LFO).
Vibrato should not be confused with tremolo, which is a variation in volume rather than pitch.
Why is Vibrato important for pianists?
An acoustic piano cannot produce true vibrato after a key has been struck because each string vibrates at a fixed pitch. However, pianists frequently use vibrato when performing on digital keyboards and synthesizers to make sustained sounds more expressive and realistic.
Understanding vibrato also helps pianists shape musical phrases more naturally when accompanying singers or melodic instruments.