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Guitar technique

VIBRATO
ON GUITAR TAB.

Vibrato is a small, periodic variation in pitch applied to a sustained note. On guitar it's produced by rapidly bending and releasing the string in small increments.

Upload Audio, See Vibrato Annotated

Free for the first 3 songs.

What it is

THE TECHNIQUE.

Vibrato is one of the most personal expressive choices a guitarist makes. Two players can play the same note with very different vibrato width (how far above and below the resting pitch the note travels) and speed. Wide, slow vibrato is associated with blues and classic rock; tight, fast vibrato is common in shred and metal. Some players add vibrato to almost every sustained note; others use it sparingly for emphasis.

How to read it

IN TAB NOTATION.

Tab notation shows vibrato with a wavy line (~~~) above the fret number for the duration of the vibrato. Some systems mark width as 'wide vib.' or with a labeled bracket.

See the full guide to reading guitar tab for the complete symbol reference, or browse the glossary for related terminology.

How audio2guitar detects it

AUTOMATIC ANNOTATION.

The pipeline detects vibrato by analyzing periodic pitch oscillation around a sustained fundamental. Vibrato is marked when the oscillation amplitude and frequency fall within the typical guitar range (roughly 5-10 Hz oscillation, ±20-50 cents).

Where it shows up

COMMON IN THESE GENRES.

FAQ

Will the tab show vibrato width or speed?

Vibrato is marked as present or absent on each sustained note. Width and speed annotation is a future improvement; the wavy-line notation in the rendered tab follows standard convention.

Is whammy-bar vibrato detected the same way?

Whammy bar vibrato produces the same pitch oscillation pattern at the audio level and is detected the same way; the tab notation does not currently distinguish bar from finger vibrato.

UPLOAD A SONG.
SEE VIBRATO ANNOTATED.

Every vibrato our pipeline detects gets marked in the tab automatically. First 3 songs free.