It is a myth that vibrato was never used in the Baroque period. It is true, however, that writers from the time describe vibrato being used on certain notes as a decoration, rather than continuously.

In her book, Baroque String Playing for ingenious learners, Judy Tarling provides some helpful pointers on when historically informed players should and shouldn't use vibrato:

Vibrato should not be used at the following points:

• Up-beats of any sort

• Short quick notes

• Continuous passages of quick notes

• Resolutions of dissonances where the resolution is shorter and weaker (e.g. passing cadences)

• Any passing notes, or notes on weak beats where the harmony is unexceptional

• Long notes in accompanying passages, except where the harmony becomes important by way of a dissonance

• Shorter accompanying figures in quavers

• The last note in a slur, except as a special effect.

Vibrato should be used at the following points:

• Any messa di voce (crescendo - diminuendo on a long note), particularly final long notes (in the middle)

• To emphasise strong harmonic points

• Long notes, suspensions or tied notes which lead to dissonance (at the end).

• At the beginning of long notes marked sf or fp

• On shorter notes with marked separation marked sf or fp.