Influence of string register locations on vibratos among violoncellists

TL;DR

This study investigates how finger position along the cello string affects vibrato characteristics, revealing that players increase vibrato depth near the bridge but reduce finger motion, highlighting compensatory behaviors and their limits.

Contribution

It provides quantitative analysis of vibrato changes with string position and uncovers the limits of players' compensatory finger movements.

Findings

Moving finger toward the bridge increases vibrato depth

Players decrease finger amplitude in higher positions

Compensatory finger motion is limited in counteracting pitch deviations

Abstract

This study analyzes how vibrato changes with finger position along the cello string. Examining 94 excerpts, we found moving the finger toward the bridge strongly increases acoustic vibrato depth ($\rho=0.6902$, $p=1.408\cdot 10^{-14}$). However, the performer's physical finger amplitude simultaneously decreases ($\rho=-0.6391$, $p=4.172\cdot 10^{-12}$). This shows players reduce finger motion in higher positions, but not enough to counteract the greater pitch deviation there, revealing both the presence and limits of compensatory vibrato behavior.