Question

[Rommel72]

As we all know, when we were taught to play our instruments, we were probably told when we tongue, the tip should touch where the teeth and gums meet (or something to that extent). I am curious to know, how many of you on the board tongue between the teeth (or know someone who does). If you do, do you feel that it any kind of effect on your sound, does it limit your ability to play at certain rhythms at faster tempos? I would be interested in hearing some opinions on this subject. Thanks.

[Peach]

Depends on the range for me. Never tongueing (how DO you spell that!?) against the teeth as such. If you've got no gaps between your teeth I can't see why that shouldn't be an OK method.

I do know there's no single 'correct' way to tongue. Everybody has different oral-cavities, tongues, teeth and lips. The way you first describe works best for the majority - if that's not you, do whatever works best!

When playing quietly very low I seem to tongue against my lips. This probably doesn't work for most folk but I get by with it (mostly...).

[ThomasP]

Tonguing for me in very similar to spitting. Which is not what's taught, I simply did what sounded best, and I do get comments on my good articulations. Yes my single tongue is slow, but that just means I have to work at my multiple tongue.

[ufoneum]

IMHO,

Don't think too much about the physicality of tonguing. Simply say the syllables and let the tongue do what the tongue wants to do.

- Pat Stuckemeyer