Some tips for learning vibrato on the cello?

Question:As my music teacher says, vibrato is as hard as it looks, but I just can't seem to get myself to do it. Can I get a few pointers?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: As my music teacher says, vibrato is as hard as it looks, but I just can't seem to get myself to do it. Can I get a few pointers?

Vibrato requires an overall relaxed, loose feeling in your arm, shoulder, and back.

Some cellists push their thumbs into the neck of the cello when they play, to better "push on the string"...but what I've learned is that you can actually get a better sound quality if you "rest your weight" on the string (which means: Your thumb is relaxed, and not pushing against the neck!)

To "rest your weight" on the string, your left arm cannot be droopy with the elbow almost touching your side. Here's what you can do: Raise your left arm in an army salute. Then lower your entire arm (still in the salute) but your hand/fingers are now on the fingerboard.
That's the height and angle your arm should be when you play.

Loose thumb, relaxed hand/wrist...those are the first steps to vibrato.

Other than these preliminary steps to vibrato, I'm afraid I don't know any more techniques..unfortunately, I could do vibrato pretty quickly when I was learning, and now I don't know how to teach vibrato!

Keep practicing!