Trying to figure out when to slur and when to tongue

[Likethewind]

I am a beginner (teacherless at the moment) and am playing some celtic music. I am wondering how one decides which notes to slur and which to tongue. Is there a "rule of thumb"?

Thanks for any advice.
Frances

[Bryony-Jane]

Hey,

generally any note without a slur sign over it should be lightly tongued, then heavier if accented or staccato. If the notes have a slur marking over them then you tongue the first note of the set of slurred notes (if that makes sense!). You always need to tongue the first of the slurred notes.

Tonguing is an easy thing to forget. My first teacher always used to tell me off for not tonguing when I should have been..oops! hehe

Hope this helps!!

Bryony-Jane

[Likethewind]

Thanks Bryony-Jane. The music I have are 2 books of celtic music, with no slurs marked at all....leaving it up to the player to decide!

Hmm.
Frances

[Bryony-Jane]

Ah ok, I see what you mean...in that case put slurs in where you feel they will enhance the emotion of the music. Celtic music is gorgeous when played properly and the right parts emphasised. This happens when you really feel the music so play through them and where you feel there should be a slur put one in and where you feel it benefits from light or slightly heavier tonguing then do so.

Good luck!!

[Likethewind]

Thanks very much. As a beginner I tend to tongue everything because slurring, esp from low to high notes, is difficult. But the music is so lovely that it is hard to ruin it! If you think of any good references on the topic of how to place slurs, please let me know!
Thanks again! Your advice makes perfect sense. I think if I think "vocally" it will help me decide.

F