Hello folks,
I am curious as to how the 'proper' way to tongue the following pattern is. Or how YOU interpret it.
In simple time, 4/4 for example how do you tongue three , and only three consecutive sixteenth notes, with the first being omitted by a rest.
:= 16th ;= 16th rest
;::: ::::
Its natural for me to start any 16th with the T' consonant. So tktk. However, when I reach the following group of 16ths, they become ktkt...which is very awkward and unnatural. I though of using ttk, however when I use that method I always turn it into a triplet, because that is how I triple tongue. Do you go with one of these methods and just practice it, or is there a trick?
Thanks for the input
Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
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XtremeEuph
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PMeuph
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Re: Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
Whatever sounds best!XtremeEuph wrote:Hello folks,
I am curious as to how the 'proper' way to tongue the following pattern is.
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- ShoelessWes
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Re: Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
What is the tempo?
Shoeless Wesley Pendergrass
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XtremeEuph
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Re: Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
Not very fast. 92-96 . However I have a sloppy single tongue and prefer to op for a clean double tongue. I suppose just learning an abnormal pattern at that speed? ;ktk tktk. I have a lesson today ill ask
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Re: Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
XtremeEuph wrote:Not very fast. 92-96 . However I have a sloppy single tongue and prefer to op for a clean double tongue. I suppose just learning an abnormal pattern at that speed? ;ktk tktk. I have a lesson today ill ask
99.9% of your playing will be single tongued in your career.
I think you should work on that, plus the end result will be far clearer (not just in this piece, but every piece you play ever again).
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Re: Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
Kitty Kitty? Who'da thunk it. It works! However, the 16th notes at that tempo are certainly within single tonguing territory, aren't they?goodgigs wrote:XtremeEuph,
Although this is the classic "Ask your teacher" question, I'll give it a go.
I never had a teacher after all.
The trick to double tonguing is to never say T or K.
I didn't know this till this year and I've bin playing for four decades.
JUST CALL YOUR CAT," hear kitty kitty kitty kitty kitty kitty Kitty !"
It sounds like a joke but if you try it I'm sure you will feel the difference.
Because it is familiar and starts with K, you will loose that awkward feeling regardless of
what pattern a particular rhythm may demand. It will take some time, but just do it. It works.
This method is one of the best things I ever learned on the tubnet and comes from Roger Louis, Who I would like to thank.
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freddytuba
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Re: Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
If you play something after those sixteenths, it makes the most sense to use KTK, then the next thing you play (on the beat) will be T.
I have used this often, and successfully.

I have used this often, and successfully.
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kprinz
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Re: Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
When I have a pattern like that and it's too fast to single tongue without dragging or getting muddy, I tend to double tongue it with as follows: TTK; therefore the pattern for the rest of the pattern would be TTK TKTK etc. I believe that is the same pattern that the Arban's book recommends for triple tonguing; however, I generally use TKT for triple tonguing so in my mind there is not confusion between duple and triple tonguing patterns. Hope this helps.
Kendall Prinz
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Tuba, Composition, Music Education
Asst. Director of Bands
Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium
Blinn College
Miraphone 186-5U CC
Miraphone Elektra 481-6U Gold Brass F
- Todd S. Malicoate
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Re: Three sixteenth tonguing pattern
I would recommend KTK TKTK. But the only "trick" is practicing it very slowly with a metronome and gradually increasing the tempo until it becomes easy.