Stop Forcing Vibrato: Here’s How It Naturally Appears in a Healthy Voice
If you’ve ever listened to a singer whose voice seems to gently shimmer or pulse, you’ve heard vibrato. It’s that natural, wavy sound that makes a voice feel warm and alive. But vibrato isn’t just a stylistic choice—it’s actually one of the clearest signs of healthy, balanced vocal technique.
What’s Really Happening When You Hear Vibrato
Vibrato is made up of several moving parts that all work together.
Pitch modulation – The fundamental frequency (the note you’re singing) gently moves up and down, which creates the perception of that “wobble.”
Amplitude modulation – The loudness fluctuates slightly, giving vibrato its natural pulse.
Timbre changes – As those vibrations move through different resonant spaces, the tone color shifts too, adding richness and warmth.
In other words, vibrato is a rhythmic pattern of small, coordinated variations in pitch, volume, and tone quality—all happening in perfect balance.
Rate, Extent, and Stability: What Makes a Good Vibrato
Every vibrato can be described by three main qualities:
Rate – how fast the pitch moves up and down (usually 5–7 times per second).
Extent – how wide that pitch variation is.
Jitter – how consistent and regular those movements are.
A stable, even vibrato with a moderate rate and extent shows that your vocal system is well-balanced and under control. When the muscles of your voice work in sync, vibrato happens naturally—no pushing, no forcing, no tricks.
The Science Behind How Vibrato Starts
Researchers and voice scientists have found that vibrato can come from different parts of the singing system:
Respiratory vibrato happens when air pressure from the lungs gently fluctuates.
Abdominal vibrato is caused by subtle, rhythmic contractions in the abdominal muscles.
Laryngeal vibrato occurs when the vocal folds themselves oscillate in tension.
In a healthy singer, all three can interact to create a free, natural vibrato. It’s the sound of balance rather than effort.
Why Vibrato Is Linked to a Healthy Voice
Voice researcher Ingo Titze describes vibrato as a sign that the muscles of the voice are “playing together” smoothly. When vibrato isn’t there yet, it can mean that some tension or imbalance is still holding things back.
A free, natural vibrato indicates that your air flow, vocal fold vibration, and muscle coordination are all working together—so it’s actually a sign of vocal health, not just artistry.
Vibrato in Choirs: Finding the Balance
In choral singing, vibrato can be a bit of a balancing act. Some conductors prefer a straighter tone for blend, while others encourage a soft, stabilized vibrato. A completely “flat” tone can sound pure, but over time it may also limit vocal freedom and stamina.
That’s why choral leaders like Olaf Christensen from the famous St. Olaf Choir promote what he called “stabilized vibrato”—a gentle, controlled version that keeps the tone alive without overpowering the ensemble.
Want more tips for how to sing as a solo singer vs. in a choir? Check out our podcast episode where we go into detail!
The Takeaway
Vibrato isn’t something you add—it’s something that shows up when your voice is balanced and free. By focusing on healthy airflow, relaxation, and coordination, you’ll notice that your natural vibrato starts to appear all on its own.
So the next time your voice starts to shimmer—celebrate it. It’s not just a pretty sound. It’s your voice telling you that it’s working exactly as it should.
Further Reading & Sources
Jenevora Williams – Teaching Singing to Children and Young Adults
Margaret Olson – The Solo Singer in the Choral Setting
BAST – “Understanding Vibrato in Singing with John Nix”
About the writer:
Noomi Kifarkis is a Swedish musicologist and MVT certified vocal coach specialising in vocal technique and music theory.
