davidJimerson associateProfessor,Psu

more slowly; the vibrato becomes obnoxious: This is the sound that I believe Carrington objects to.

Nature v. Nurture

Is vibrato a “natural” thing? Absolutely not! The singer must be able to control it. As the tempo of a piece changes from conductor to conductor, the singer needs to adjust the vibrato so that it remains in the 5- to 6-cps range. Just as a string or a trumpet player produces a pleasant vibrato, so does a singer. Those who believe in a natural vocal vibrato confuse it with singers who use it by instinct. Many are never taught to sing with vibrato. When they first begin to sing, people make sounds based on what they have heard fine singers do. They incorporate vibrato into the core of their vocal production. It is subconscious but not natural. It is produced. Over the years, I have worked with many students in the studio who come to me with no vibrato in place. Consistently, they are able to develop vibrato as an integrated part of their sound. Because they must learn to produce it and listen to what they are doing, they attain a vibrato that is beautiful and controllable.

Sergius Kagen, in his little book, On Studying Singing, makes the point that a perfectly legitimate way to study singing is to copy what you hear in singers you admire. I suggest that this is how most singers employ what they think is “natural vibrato.” They have good instincts and they use them to produce a beautiful sound without dissecting the process.