Vibrato — Low Position (Frets 1–5)
Vibrato practice in the low position (frets 1–5) where fret spacing is widest and string tension is highest. Each measure is a single sustained note with continuous vibrato. Low position is the hardest place to do vibrato — the string fights back more, the frets are far apart, and most players produce an uneven, stiff result here. Four notes across measures, each on a different string.
Tablature
First few measures of the exercise.
How to Practice
- 1Measure 1: E (string 1, fret 5). Whole note, vibrato from the first moment. The high E string is thin and responsive — use it to feel the correct wrist rotation before moving to heavier strings.
- 2Measure 2: C (string 2, fret 1). The first fret demands maximum reach. Your thumb position is critical here — it should be behind the neck, not gripping over the top.
- 3Measure 3: G (string 3, fret 5). Middle of the fretboard range, heavier string. The vibrato needs more wrist force to move this string noticeably.
- 4Measure 4: D (string 4, fret 5). Even heavier string tension. You will feel the resistance — push through it with full wrist rotation, not just a finger wiggle.
- 5Loop all four measures. Each note should sound like a controlled, even wave — not a nervous shake.
Tips & Techniques
- •Low position is harder than high position because string tension is higher and fret spacing is wider. Don't be discouraged if it feels stiff at first — it takes longer to develop here.
- •Wrist rotation is the engine. Imagine turning a doorknob slowly back and forth — the wrist drives the motion, the finger just transfers it to the string.
- •Thumb behind the neck: in low position especially, a wrapped thumb kills your wrist freedom. Keep the thumb pointed upward behind the neck so the wrist can rotate freely.
- •Width before speed: start with slow, wide oscillations (1 per beat at 50 BPM). Once the width is consistent, gradually increase speed.
- •Listen for evenness: each oscillation up and each oscillation down should take the same amount of time. Record yourself — the metronome will reveal any wobble.
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Ćwicz teraz →Related Exercises
Vibrato Sustain — Hold It for the Whole Bar
Two notes (B on string 2, D on string 3) played as sustained whole notes with vibrato, then repeated with a deliberate quarter-note rest on beat 2. The rest is the point — you must start vibrato, pause completely, then re-enter clean vibrato without resetting your technique. Slow, wide, controlled. No rushing, no wobble.
Vibrato — High Position (Frets 12–17)
Vibrato practice in the high position (frets 12–17) where fret spacing is narrowest and string tension is lowest. The string moves easily here — which means control becomes the challenge, not force. Four sustained whole notes across different strings. High position is where most players first develop a good-sounding vibrato, but it is easy to overdo it and produce a wide, uncontrolled wobble.
Vibrato — One Finger at a Time
Four measures, one finger per measure: index (1), middle (2), ring (3), pinky (4). Each finger frets the same string (string 2, B) at its natural comfortable position and sustains vibrato for a full whole note. Most players have a strong ring finger vibrato and a nearly dead index or pinky — this exercise forces you to confront and train each finger individually.
Chromatic Accent Dynamics
Exercise developing dynamic control through playing chromatic sequences with shifting accents.