vibrato

Vibrato is a musical technique where a singer or instrumentalist slightly varies the pitch of a note in a regular, oscillating pattern. This subtle fluctuation, typically involving a rapid, controlled variation of a few cents in pitch, adds warmth, richness, and expressiveness to the sound. Think of it as a gentle "wavering" or "shaking" in the note, which enhances its emotional quality and makes the tone more vibrant. Vibrato is achieved through precise control of breathing, finger pressure, or vocal fold tension, and when used effectively, it contributes significantly to a performance’s musical depth and character.