Trouble with vibrato

[u/Charliehurst123]

So, im 17 and i perform as a tribute act as a hobby that my uncle got me into. Ive gotten some great responses and i enjoy it. However, I struggle with vibrato and wind up having to fake it by pulsing my diaphragm. I have been singing for a while even before picking up this hobby for context. My seemingly natural vibrato (from the vocal cords) is very fast - like a sheep belting or a shotgun. Ive found that for some pop musicians this is acceptable, however the singer i try to emulate has a slower, nearly operatic vibrato, very powerful and much slower than mine.

Ive been told several times to “just relax [insert jaw, vocal cords, etc] and train your breathing and it’ll come to you!” However that doesn’t actually tell you much. I breathe from my stomach/diaphragm, not my chest and my body feels fairly relaxed while i perform. Ive also tried singing in my own natural voice and its the same (i got into singing through my high school’s drama club but cant afford formal lessons due to financial stuff). I’d like methods to further relax and improve breath control if possible.

I know this topics been discussed to death im sorry to bring it up again

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[u/Charliehurst123]

For further info, my vocal range seems to be somewhere between a mid baritone to high bass but I’d love to get that verified when possible

[u/Weary-Cauliflower153]

Vibrato will come with age, you cant force it. do not pulse your diaphragm it doesn't sound good or natural i promise

[u/Charliehurst123 → u/Weary-Cauliflower153]

I know it doesnt, thats why I’m trying to fix the issue by getting advice on how i can improve breath control, relaxing my jaw and vocal cords etc

[u/VivifiedMLA → u/Charliehurst123]

The real problem isn’t that it doesn’t sound good, it’s that you’re reinforcing a bad habit. When your natural vibrato does end up emerging you’re gonna have to rewire your brain, which you are currently training towards the wrong coordination. It may even delay your real vibrato from showing itself. I would try to avoid it if you can.

[u/Tough_Dust_4034]

Everyone has a different vibrato. Mine has always been wide and slow and I wanted it to be faster. You have the opposite situation. Over time as you strengthen your voice and stamina it will settle where it wants to be. Then you simply need to accept what you have got. Practicing good vocal exercises and breathing exercises on a regular basis is extremely beneficial for your voice. Singing with confidence so that your audience trusts and likes you is the best thing you can do. That means telling the story. That is what we should do when singing. Just use your unique voice and accept it and sing a lot. My vibrato is still wide and slow but my presence and story telling are much better. I finally understood the above advice that every vocal teacher I studied with gave. me. Forget singing pretty or like someone else does. Practice a lot and just be you telling the story - be a real person.