Help with double tonguing/chewing notes

[Topher124]

Hi!
I have a big problem. I chew my notes and don't know how to stop. Somehow I'm still an all-state member, but I wanna get rid of this bad habit. I think this hinders my double tonguing as well. Everyone says to use the t and k sounds when double tonguing, but for my k sound- I don't really tongue... I guess I just don't understand.

Any input or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

[eupho]

Have you asked your teacher for help? Or asked him/her to recommend a private teacher?Correcting the mechanics of articulation is not something that can be done effectively here.

[DouglasJB]

I had/have a very similar problem, if i don't focus on what I'm doing sometimes i stop tonguing the notes. It does make double tonguing very difficult. I just sit and play articulated notes, one not over and over again until I feel it sounds nice enough to move on. Then again with another note, and so on.

[chronolith]

First step as suggested is seek teacher assistance. But you know that already.

Do you feel that you are struggling to control pitch and consistency with the notes? Tone suffering? Is the chewing a result of trying to regain that control? Those can be tough habits to break (and I am sure you know very frustrating as well). It's possible that a lack of air support and insufficient firmness and openness in the embouchure is forcing you to try and control things with the jaw rather than from deep down where it should be coming from. Maybe this is not your problem. In any case, you should seek out an expert. It's also possible that what is actually going wrong is not what you think.

Also, in terms of articulations and tongue use, do a quick search for some of the posts Joe Exley has made about the matter. Good sensible there.

[swillafew]

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All that should be moving when you tongue is your tongue, so the "chewing" ought to stop. Be patient and practice some repeated notes until you get comfortable. Practice saying 't' only moving your tongue before you get your mouthpiece out, and then do it on the mouthpiece alone too. Put it on the horn and you will get an improvement.

[Doug Elliott]

Tonguing is easy with your mouth closed or only slightly open. As you open your jaw farther, there is a point beyond which the tongue can't articulate. So the chewing motion is closing your mouth to tongue and opening it to play the note. My guess is you're used to playing with your mouth more open than it needs to be, and you simply can't tongue in that position. You need to find a middle ground of jaw opening where you CAN articulate.

[MackBrass]

Here is a very easy exercise;

Play 4 quarter notes using the ta syllable then play 4 using the ka syllable. The goal is to match the ka with the ta sound and attack. Keep in mind that the air should not stop between the notes. Once tried, repeat indefinitely until there is no difference. Please dont use tu ku or du ku as this can hinder the sound by closing the orifice of your mouth then effecting the sound. Just say both out loud and you will understand what i mean.

Once the double is under control then you can start with triple. The triple is just an extension of the double. For triple, simply ad the ti syllable between the already established ta and ka making it ta ti ka. Good luck.