Air Flow Through Multiple Tonguing

[tubbs831]

Does anyone have any drills that they like to use to improving air flow through multiple tonguing passages? On a single pitch I tend to be fine but once I start moving pitches and multiple tonguing, notes start to get choked off a bit, too short/pecky.

I’ve been trying to focus on using softer tongue strokes (D/G) but the problem still manifests itself.

[honey44]

I have always used the Sigmund Herring Double and Triple Tonguing book to practice these types of exercises. I had the same problem with pecky notes and I managed to fix it by playing the passage slow and legato while multiple tonguing. When I brought up the speed I could more easily control the length of the note.

I hope this helps!

[Jerry Freedman]

I have had good results by playing long loud series of K tongued notes. The K tongue should bee as forward in the mouth as possible If done properly this can leave you with a tired tongue and tired chops. A week or so of this makes double tonguing smooth and easy with speed developed with practice.

Along with this although not in the same practice session, i practiced smooth TKTK tonging slowly with even airflow, tongue rocking back and forth between t and k , just interrupting the air.

[coraltrpt]

Although it’s not a specific drill, this masterclass with Tom Hooten goes into the subject of tonguing and fluency. Totally changed how I practiced this skill:


Link


Hope this adds to the discussion!

[bagmangood]

I've been working through the Double/Triple tonguing exercises at the end of the Schuebruk on the "Double and Triple Staccato". The first sets of exercises there are all about extending the length of the passages, even though they are just eight repeated passages. I've definitely noticed that my multiple tonguing elsewhere has gotten smoother as result.

If you don't have the Schuebruk, I'd imagine you could apply the same principles using any exercises that were increasing passages of eighth notes.
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[Tpt_Guy]

[Don Herman rev2]

Way back when I was playing more, tonguing, especially multiple tonguing, was an issue. What I discovered, with the help of my teacher (David Zuercher), was that I was not blowing steadily but stifling the air. You (or at least I) actually have to blow a little harder when multiple-tonguing to support the sound whilst letting the tongue interrupt the airflow.

The analogy I came up with at the time was that, if the airflow is water form a faucet, then your tongue is like a finger flicking through the flow; it is not your hand turning the faucet on and off. And if you want to keep the flow into the bucket (bell) the same, you have to turn up the water (air) just a bit to account for all the interruptions.

FWIWFM - Don
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"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

[tubbs831]

Thank you very much for all of these suggestions! Looking forward to giving them a try.

[kalijah]

Don't be concerned with air flow. The act of tonging does stop the flow between notes. And then re-starts it. Actually, the tongue denies air pressure to the aperture between notes. Don't attempt to "force" the air flow through this.

Just maintain a steady blowing effort, (air pressure) for the dynamic level.

For rapid tonguing you must develop a very short duration "stop" between notes. And then learn to coordinate it with valve changes.

There are some specific exercises to do this.

[cheiden]