Vibrato Technique and Rhythm Development

Hi!,
I'm studying improvisation on my own. I've come to a place in my workbook where the topic is vibrato. I understand the techniques described in the book, but I can't manage to get a very good vibrato, and can't manage to get a vibrato at all on more than just one technique I know.
Can anyone give me tips on developing a great vibrato?

Also,
I'm in a band and rhythm is very important to us. I use a metronome when I practice already, but can anyone suggest some ways to develop great rhythm and feeling?

Thanks!
-Dan

Dan, welcome to the site dude. Vibrato is probably the most under-appreciated technique in guitar. It can make a dead note come to life with vigor. It's the subtle things like this that make the difference between being good and being great. My favorite guitarist is Steve Vai, who has excellent vibrato. Back in 1984 he did a mini-lesson on vibrato technique which you can find here. Take a good look at that article and maybe you'll come away with a good technique to use.

As for developing a great sense of rhythm, it comes with practice. Get some backing tracks off the internet and jam over your favorite songs until you feel really comfortable. It's good that you play with a metronome, definatlely keep that up. In time you'll have great time :D

for rhythm you just gotta play with a drummer as much as posible or play along with recordings of yourself or other bands that have the sound your trying to go for

one way of improvin your rhythm is to listen to stuff that has a very strong rhythm. i used to listen to nirvana etc, an had the worst sense of rhythm, an when i moved over to listen to more acoustic style where rhythm was essential part and possibly made the song (think of george michaels faith i know its not great but it is jst the rhythm the guitar is playing which makes the entire song) by listenin an movin to it (essential!!!) you will start to gain a more natural rhythm in your playing as well. this an practice so you feel comfortable on the guitar, and practice more complex rhythm on your guitar, try playing off the beat or anythin that doesn't involvejust playing du du du du du du du du du du all day long! an learn to dance! haha but thats just to impress!!!

you can improve rhythm by taking up playing the drums. this is fairly drastic but it works !!!

IMHO one of the secrets of great vibrato is to have strong fingers. The best way to do this is just to practice. One of the hardest vibratoesq moves it to bend a two half steps up to a note and then add vibrato. I couldn't do this when I first tried but it comes with practice. You will probably find that it is easier to do by pulling your fingers towards your palm than the other way round though eventually, you wan tot aim to do it both ways round.

Oh and the secret is practice !!

all a vibrato is is a fast bend back and forth its best to have your thumb
hook over the top side of the fretboard so it anchors the wrist that allows you to move the string faster it took me a will to get it down like Dr. simons
said the ownly way to get better is to practice