How to Double Tongue Your Trombone

Double tonguing on a trombone involves the process of articulating the first note and then sending air past the tongue to create the second articulation. This process creates the effect that you are tonguing quickly, when, in fact, you are simply using a technique to make it sound like each note is articulated. Trombone players must use this technique when the music becomes too fast to play with single independent strikes of the tongue.

 Step 1: Pronounce the sound "tu" several times and notice how the tip of the tongue hits inside the mouth between the top of the teeth and the roof of the mouth. This technique allows you to single-tongue.

Step 2: Pronounce the sound "ku" and notice how air quickly expels from your mouth. Pronounce the word quickly and precisely. This sound will create the second articulation in a good double-tongue technique.

Step 3: Play a note on your horn and mimic the sound "ku" several times in a row. Once you get a clean articulation using only your air add the first syllable "tu." Imitate the motions of both of these words while you play so that you are pronouncing "tu-ku."

Step 4: Increase your speed gradually and say the phrase "tu-ku, tu-ku, tu-ku, tu-ku" over the course of four beats. Practice until you can perform this action comfortably.

Use a metronome to ensure that you are getting the rhythm right. Start at a slow tempo of 60 beats per minute in which you say "tu-ku" for each beat. Gradually increase the speed two beats at a time until you can double-tongue at 120 beats per minute. "Buddy Baker Tenor Trombone Method"; Buddy Baker; 1983