Double Tonguing

[gzou]

Hi, I am practicing double tonguing right now. Is there any particular etudes or something just for practicing double tonguing? Or is there thing I should keep in mind when I practicing double tonguing? Thanks!

[pied_piper]

Although there are some etudes designed for practicing double tonguing, no special method or etude is really needed. Just practice double tonguing on scales or any other music for that matter. Start slow with 4 sixteenths per scale note. When you can do that consistently, increase the speed a little and repeat. Later, use two sixteenths per scale note. Then, play the scale with one sixteenth per note. Vary the articulation. First try using ta-ka-ta-ka then reverse the syllables and try ka-ta-ka-ta. Aim for consistency of sound when you reverse the syllables. Other variations are to use di-gi-di-gi (and reversed), du-gu-du-gu (and reversed), da-ga-da-ga (and reversed), ti-ki-ti-ki, etc... Do lots of repetitions of each pattern. You can also practice it without your flute. I sometimes do it while I'm driving just to keep my tongue flexible....

[fluteguy18]

The problem that most people struggle to overcome with this form of articulation always seems to be getting your fingers and tongue in time with one another. The problem usually exists however in the lack of evenness in the syllables. I will use Tu and Ku as my syllables in this example.

Usually when first beginning this technique, the Tu syllable is about 100000 times stronger than the ku syllable. The rhythm between them also seems to be an issue. There's usually a stutter or a swing in the rhythm or the beat. It will usually sound like: TU k TU k TU. So in addition to PP's advice you need to spend considerable time developing the back part of your tongue muscle to help your syllables be even in strength. So practice all of your single articulations with a ku, gu,kah, kih, etc. syllable just as you would your normal single articulation exercises.

And practice slowly. If you never mess up, then you will never mess up.

[gzou]

The problem that most people struggle to overcome with this form of articulation always seems to be getting your fingers and tongue in time with one another. The problem usually exists however in the lack of evenness in the syllables. I will use Tu and Ku as my syllables in this example.

Usually when first beginning this technique, the Tu syllable is about 100000 times stronger than the ku syllable. The rhythm between them also seems to be an issue. There's usually a stutter or a swing in the rhythm or the beat. It will usually sound like: TU k TU k TU. So in addition to PP's advice you need to spend considerable time developing the back part of your tongue muscle to help your syllables be even in strength. So practice all of your single articulations with a ku, gu,kah, kih, etc. syllable just as you would your normal single articulation exercises.

And practice slowly. If you never mess up, then you will never mess up.

Thank you so much! This is really helpful!