Vibrato bar techniques

There are a number of different techniques that can be performed using the vibrato bar on electric fretted instruments, typically guitars. In Dorico for iPad, the available vibrato bar techniques are categorized differently.

Vibrato bar dives

Vibrato bar dives indicate that the performer should use the vibrato bar to lower the pitch after playing the note, so that the pitch falls after starting to sound. This technique is also known as a “dive bomb”.

In Dorico for iPad, you can notate vibrato bar dives using jazz articulations to show falling lines to the right of noteheads in combination with a vibrato bar indication.

Vibrato bar scoops

Vibrato bar scoops indicate that the performer should depress the vibrato bar just before playing the note and then release the vibrato bar quickly, so that the pitch rises after starting to sound.

In Dorico for iPad, vibrato bar scoops are properties of notes, meaning they only apply to single notes. By default, vibrato bar scoops only appear on notation staves and are placed to the left of noteheads on the staff.

Vibrato bar dips

Vibrato bar dips indicate that the performer should use the vibrato bar to lower and then raise the pitch by the specified interval after playing the note.

In Dorico for iPad, vibrato bar dips are considered ornaments. You can select and delete them independently of the notes to which they apply. Vibrato bar dips appear on both notation staves and tablature and are placed above the staff. You can change the staff-relative placement of individual vibrato bar dips.

Vibrato bar indications/lines

Vibrato bar indications are text instructions that indicate that the performer should use the vibrato bar. When they apply to a range of notes, they typically show dashed lines.

In Dorico for iPad, vibrato bar indications/lines are considered playing techniques. They show lines when they have duration. You can select and delete them independently of the notes to which they apply. You can also change the duration line style of vibrato bar lines in the same ways as for playing technique continuation lines.

Note

Vibrato bar techniques are not currently reflected in playback. This is planned for future versions.