Double tonguing advice

[AlbertHwang]

Hi, I've been struggling with multiple tonguing for quite a while now. Whenever I articulate the "k" syllable (or "g"), the air stops for far too long and as a result, the articulation is very unclear and distorted. What advice or exercises do you know that can help mitigate this? Thank you.
_________________
Albert

[CJceltics33]

It takes hours to strengthen and coordinate the muscles used in k-tonguing. The best advice I can give you is to practice k-tonguing alone and no tah-tonguing (k k k k) up a scale or something. You should also practice double tonguing out of the first exercises of the Arban very slow, something like 55 or 60 bpm.

With patience, you can be double tonguing very well in a relatively short amount of time.

[crose]

What I was taught and teach:

Learn to triple tongue well first

The K must not be too far back - no "Kugh", think key. The farther forward in the mouth the better - we are not tuba players

I also use the practicing the K alone as the above poster suggested

A metronome is also invaluable. Making it exact in not only important, but it seems to overwork the muscles and is also measurable

Be patient.

[cheiden]

When learning you need to strive for the lightest possible "k". Some folks refer to it as just bumping the air. Other players demonstrated what they called doodle-tonguing.

As a practical matter, I didn't make big strides until my teacher assigned the Clarke Techincal Studies. One exercise for two weeks, each day with a different tonguing model...
- slur all
- single tongue
- slur two/tongue two
- double tongue
- triple tongue (where it makes sense)
- K-tongue

Sure it sucks for many agonizing weeks and you'll swear it's not getting better,...until it does.
_________________
"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

[John Mohan]

[Turkle]

I learned to multiple-tongue when I played the Carnival of Venice in high school. Practicing that slowly and working it up very gradually with a metronome did it for me.

Based on OP's description, it sounds like you're cutting the air off when you tongue. Try focusing on keeping the airstream constant and not interrupting it so much when you tongue. It's nowhere near as hard a syllable as the "c" in "cat." It's a lot more delicate, just a light touch that allows the air to continue uninterrupted.
_________________
Yamaha 8310Z trumpet
Yamaha 8310Z flugel
Curry 3.

[trickg]

If you want to improve your double tongue, then double tongue - 10 minutes a day, every day.

There's no shortcut - it takes work and it takes time. Work on it daily, and when you work on it, really focus on what's going on, and work to refine it. No one can put in the work for you - you have to do it on your own, and there is no secret. You already fundamentally know what you need to know in order to do it.
_________________
Patrick Gleason
- Jupiter 1600i, ACB 3C, Warburton 4SVW/Titmus RT2
- Brasspire Unicorn C
- ACB Doubler

"95% of the average 'weekend warrior's' problems will be solved by an additional 30 minutes of insightful practice." - PLP

[Billy B]

How are you practicing this?
_________________
Bill Bergren

[Peter Bond]

The idea that double tonguing takes great strength is....Well, I’ll say misguided.
Articulate like you speak.
Try this:
1) Speak the phrase or exercise. (Tu ku tu ku tu is best for a brilliant fanfare sound, du gu du gu du Is better for speed and longer passages)

2) With lips around the OUTSIDE of the mouthpiece, blow a gentle wind stream through the instrument, and articulate the passage in the same manner. This is your model.

3) Play the passage on an easy note using the same approach. If the problem re-occurs, you’re doing something unnecessary when playing. Often the issue is not articulation, but a dysfunctional embouchure, which requires tremendous wind pressure to function.

[zaferis]

[roynj]

Often players will try to over emphasize the K syllable, and thereby move it to far back in the oral cavity. This makes it impossible to acquire any speed, no matter how much they might practice. Try moving the K tongue more forward (as in takatakatakataka).