Originally Posted by: ptoolmanGreetings,
Just joined yesterday, great site! Very well organized~
I found a single lesson on vibrato, basically covering the techniques used with some helpful instruction.
I'm looking for more in depth tutorial on this technique, despite lots of regimented efforts at times over the years, I can move strings/ fingers back and forth OK but with no real speed, no facility, or discernable progress toward that clear and even, pleasing tone.

I am looking for a drill or maybe some ideas focusing on "building" this technique ?

Thanks,

Tim

I'm certain the instructors will have a bevy of good stuff to share but i think when i learned, I emulated players I liked and listened to what they played and tried to copy it. I don't know that any lesson itself will teach you good vibrato and string bending. It's something you ear and hands need to get used to because it is what makes the guitar unique from other instruments and gives it that human touch. Try to copy some Clapton, Hendrix, Buddy Guy, David Gilmour and BB King. Get videos (youtube if possible) and watch
them.

I mean, the key to good string bending is to keep it in key with the scale you're playing. Bending out of key will give a CC DeVille kind of deal and can be pretty shrill. So in addition to hearing the greats. Play the next two notes up the scale by just fretting them and then see if you can bend to them.

As for actual vibrato or 'shaking' a string. You can do it fast (a la the BB King sting) or slow and wide like a John Sykes. It's a matter of getting the 'feel' and I don't think any amount of texts and lessons can help with that. Just your ear.