[Harp-L] Vibrato Technique

[Tony Renshaw <tonyrenshaw268@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As a three year player who has heard lots about vibrato and the way to 
create a deep, melodious one using my diaphragm, I would like to challenge 
explanations I have been given with my own conclusions, and wait to get 
torn apart. Simply, it has been explained to me that the diaphragm is the 
key to a deep vibrato. I believe this, but it has historically been 
described to me in isolation. I believe, for me anyway, that the only way 
to get a good diaphragmatic vibrato is to use it to create a "back 
pressure", or area of "negative pressure", using your epiglotis. In 
isolation one can argue that it is all about the diaphragm, and to create 
such a "negative pressure", it is. The problem I have is that I can use my 
diaphragm, that big muscle for prolonged periods, but generally only in one 
direction or the other. I certainly can't "vibrato" it. To try and do a 
deep, rhythmical vibrato from the diaphragm with a completely relaxed 
throat and mouth is damn near impossible. I am persistent though, so if 
enough people convince me of the error of my ways, I will conquer this 
diaphragm issue, if in fact it is the way to go. So, in conclusion, in my 
narrow and short experience, I believe the vibrato is a combination of a 
"negative pressure" created with the epiglotis being somewhat closed, or 
modulated, whilst the diaphragm creates the "negative pressure" which 
pulses the air through the harp. At the same time, it is the interaction of 
the epiglotis and the base of the tongue that creates the bends, or partial 
bends which embellishes the vibrato and gives it it's classic aural 
signature. If in fact it does not involve the epiglotis, but does have the 
characteristic bends, how can you do that with a fixed, relaxed throat 
position, and have simply the airstream modulated in intensity through the 
instrument, with the diaphragm?Surely this would pulse volume, but not 
create the bends.
OK, I'm ready for the heat.
Reg
Tony Renshaw
Sydney Australia