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Vibrato only at the end of a note
A long note: straight for most of it (about 60%), with vibrato only at the end – the way a jazz ballad ends a phrase. We measure both: the straight start and the waver at the end (goal 5–7 Hz).
Late vibrato is a long note that starts straight and only begins to wave near the end, the way a jazz ballad closes a phrase. The note lasts eight beats, about eight seconds at the default tempo, after a short cue from the piano. You're scored on three things: pitch, a steady first part and vibrato in the final part. It trains control over the wave, so you switch it on instead of leaving it running. “Ah” keeps the throat open.
How to do it
- Hear the cue note, then sing “ah” on that pitch with a plain, still tone.
- Keep the first 60% of the note straight, about five seconds. A waver of 25 cents or less counts as steady.
- In the last 40%, about three seconds, let vibrato in: five to seven waves a second, 30 to 150 cents deep.
- Watch the roll: a flat line first, then an even ripple around the target.
- Score: 30% pitch, 30% straight start, 40% late vibrato. Each repetition then moves two semitones up.
Coach's tip: Don’t switch the vibrato on – release it, as if the note started to sway by itself. No jaw, no pushing from the belly.
What to watch out for
Vibrato from the first second costs points, because the straight part is scored too. If the wave starts early, begin again with a plainer tone. The other mistake is forcing the wave late with the jaw or belly, which draws an uneven or very wide line. Let it grow by itself from a relaxed throat. If no wave comes, don't push. Work on Vibrato on a long note first. Stop if your neck tightens.
Who it's for
Aimed at level 3 singers who can hold a steady note and have started to hear a natural wave. Use it in the main block or near the end of a session, after Straight tone without vibrato. It's the control exercise for ballads, where a note starts plain and opens up at the end. No program lists it, but the Jazz style adds it to your daily training.
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Related exercises
- Long note 15 s Fifteen seconds. The level of a big ballad chorus.
- Long phrase on one breath (12 s) Eleven legato notes on one breath. Phrases in pop ballads are sometimes longer.
- Vibrato on a long note Start straight, after a second let a natural wave in. We measure rate (goal 5–7 Hz) and depth.
- Soul phrase on one breath A long phrase on the minor pentatonic ending with a short riff, all on one breath. It teaches you to spread the air so there is still enough for the ornament and the last long note.
- Twang on “nyah” A bright, narrow “nyah” on the first five scale degrees, holding the fifth. Twang is the safe base of rock edge – the voice sounds sharp while the throat stays loose.
- Scat warm-up in swing Root, second, third, fifth and back down – lightly, on “doo-bee”. Swing rhythm: the first note of each pair is longer, the second short, as in jazz.