Double and Triple Tounging

by Andi
(Pennsylvania)

I just don't understand it. I hear about tah kah. I completely understand the tah, but the kah is completely getting me. Is there any way you can put it in words to make me understand?

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Hi, Andi.

Try saying any word that begins with the "k" sound. Kitchen, keep, kangaroo. Note where your tongue is in your mouth when you make the sound. The middle of your tongue touches the top of your mouth (the oral cavity) when the "k" sound is make.

Now just say "kah" over and over, about five times (no flute, just say it).

Next, say "kah" but blow air out harder as you're saying it.

Now, try it with the flute. Select a note that is easy to play, maybe an "F" on the top line. Say "kah" and blow air across the flute.

Can you say "kah" as you play an F? Do that several times in a row. It doesn't have to be fast. Just play an F while articulating (tonguing) with the "kah" syllable.

Now alternate with the "tah" syllable. Tah, kah, tah kah. Slowly at first.

The principle is that you tongue first for the tah sound and when your tongue is pulled back to say tah again, you make a kah sound at the back of your mouth. This lets you tongue faster.

I hope that helps you!