Articulations

Detailed explanations of tonguing techniques for the trombone.

Double and Triple Tonguing

Compound tonguing in groups of two or three. The notation example shown is often used to indicate double and triple tonguing, but players will often use the technique to play passages of notes that may be written as ordinary tongued or staccato notes. Double tonguing requires the player to form syllables with their toungue whilst blowing such as 'ta-ka, ta-ka, ta-ka' (or possibly 'da-ka') in order to create very rapid articulation. Triple tonguing would involve repeating a pattern such as 'ta-ka-ta' to group notes in threes.

Flutter Tonguing

A rolled 'r' tonguing. Notated with the letters flz. - short for the German flatterzungue - above the music and slanting bars through the note stems. Not all players can do flutter tonguing. Those that cannot have to 'fake' with a throat flutter that sounds less effective, more of a rumbling sound than a crisp 'rrrrrrrrrrrr'.