How to Master Double and Triple Tonguing on Trumpet

Double and triple tonguing are among the hardest techniques to learn on the trumpet. For many players, it can easily turn into a nightmare. However, the good news is that you can master this technique if you approach it correctly. In this article, we will explore tips on improving your articulation speed and mastering double and triple tonguing with faster results.

1. What is Single, Double, and Triple Tonguing?
2. How to Master Double and Triple Tonguing
3. Tips on Building Your Tongue Speed
4. Final Word

What is Single, Double, and Triple Tonguing?

Tonguing is the technique that makes your playing clear and expressive.

Single tonguing (using a single tongue movement) is starting the note when the tongue is at the front of the mouth (ta, da, tu).
Double tonguing (alternating two distinct syllables) is starting the note when the tongue is at the front and at the back of the mouth ( ta-ka ta-ka, tu-ku tu-ku, da-ga da-ga).
Triple tonguing involves rapid three-note groupings used in triplet patterns (da-da-ga, da-ga-da).

The idea is that by double-tonguing, you can tongue twice as fast as during single tonguing since the tongue goes a shorter distance. Compare syllables ta-ta-ta and ta-ka-ta. Unlike slurs, where you flow notes together, during tonguing you interrupt the air stream to articulate notes separately.

Many players think that there are tempos when double tonguing feels easy while single tonguing is hard and vice versa. They also believe that there is an area in between where both techniques feel awkward. However, it’s not true for all trumpet players, but only for those who have problems with their articulation. The truth is that players who have mastered double and triple tonguing are able to do it at any tempo.

How to Master Double and Triple Tonguing

Many teachers and YouTube trumpeters say that in order to master double and triple tonguing, you need to practice ta and ka separately, which means you need to practice articulating at the front and the back of your mouth separately as well. While it works for some players, it doesn’t work for others.

For those who don’t find this method the best, there is another strategy. Start with blowing a consistent airstream against your palm and interrupt it with the smallest possible movements of your tongue to create small gaps in this stream. Your aim is to not stop the airflow.

Once you do it well, start single tonguing the same way on your trumpet. Play notes that feel comfortable by making movements of your tongue to create the smallest possible gaps between them. You may think: why waste time on single tonguing if you want to master double and triple tonguing? Here is the truth: slow practice makes your playing smooth and once you play smoothly you can also play faster.

Once you are comfortable with a single tonguing this way, you can add another syllable. Play them and pay attention to how smooth you can make them. You can use any syllable ta-ka ta-ka or da-ga da-ga, whatever feels good for you. Again, try it into your hand before switching to your brass instrument.

You can also try this exercise with your mouthpiece alone. Ensure you don’t create big gaps — the tone should remain continuous. Imagine you have a water stream from your tap and you interrupt it with a finger. The same applies to your tongue movement — it should go forward and backwards.

Remember to keep your body relaxed. Don’t tense it and don’t think about tonguing as something hard and impossible to do. Take a deep breath and focus on playing. Try to make it as smooth as you can. Do not play staccato and do not worry about the speed.

When practicing triple tonguing, you can follow the same steps. Players use several articulation patterns: forward-forward-backward — da-da-ga, or forward-backward-forward da-ga-da. Ensure your tongue interrupts the airflow without too big gaps. A good triple tongue player sounds like a percussionist doing a roll on a marimba, allowing notes to ring through the whole time.

Tips on Building Your Tongue Speed

Prepare a metronome as this device is your best friend to improve tongue speed. It will immediately show where you need to work harder. Start at any comfortable tempo, which allows you to single tongue eighth notes. For sixteenth notes, you can even start at 40 beats per minute.

While practicing, ensure you maintain a consistent airstream and pay attention to the rhythmic timing. Listen to a metronome and feel its clicks internally. Try to hear beats in your head and subdivide them. By doing this, you train your muscles to operate within a particular time frame and then, once you increase the speed, it will be easier to adapt to a new specific tempo.

Lock in your tonguing on the eighth notes in between the beats of a chosen tempo. Bring your metronome down to a slower speed to practice sixteenth notes. If you notice that it’s hard to maintain the consistency of your rhythm and it begins to falter a bit as you increase the speed, go back to a slower tempo. Find the spot where you can maintain a specific rhythm accurately. Once you find it, play it as long as you can.

Final Word

While double and triple tonguing may be challenging for many players, you can still master them. Approach the technique slowly, give yourself time to gradually increase the speed, and make your practices consistent.

On our website, you can find many skill development tools for trumpet players, designed to improve your embouchure and tone. Feel free to check them.

We also have other practical tips on improving your playing technique. Check our recently published article How to Improve Endurance on the Trumpet Without Overexertion to grab some helpful advice.