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Re: Articulation

Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2009-11-29 21:50

Tonguing stresses a lot of elements of playing, which all have to be correct. Breathing mechanics, embouchure, posture, and tongue position are all critical to good articulation. But having all of these are correct doesn't imply that you will be able to articulate cleanly and effortlessly.

Developing a "tonguing reflex" takes drilling. Many tonguing methods are good at testing progress, but less effective at getting there. I found it best to work like they do in Track & Field: keep things mixed up with some medium distances, but concentrate on a lot of sprints.

Use your scale book and a metronome, starting on page 1. The first key: slur 2 / tongue 2. The next tongue 2 / slur 2. The next slur 4 / tongue 4. then tongue 4, slur 4. Then repeat through all keys. Strive for accuracy and control. When you feel comfortable, slur 8 / tongue 8. Then kick it up a notch until you have regained control. Included a planned timeframe for this conditioning in your daily practicing.

Michele Gingras has another take on building tonguing reflex:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fi4G1JwvKE

Post Edited (2009-11-30 00:12)

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