Lesson 8: Tonguing and Articulation
- Articulate cleanly with too, doo, and roo, and hear the difference.
- Play a melody where the articulation, not just the notes, makes the music.
- Lesson 6–7 — rhythm and meter.
- Tonguing syllables (too, doo, roo).
- Articulation as expression.
The tongue is the bow.
Every note you have played so far has been tongued — you used the syllable too in Lesson 1 without thinking about it. This lesson names the variants and asks you to choose between them. The tongue is the recorder's only attack mechanism; it is the closest thing the instrument has to a violin bow.
Three syllables
- too · tu
- The standard articulation. Tip of the tongue touches just behind the upper teeth, then releases the air. Clean, clear, slightly bright.
- doo · du
- Softer attack. The same tongue placement, less pressure on release. Used for legato and quiet passages.
- roo · ru
- Almost no attack at all — the tongue brushes rather than stops. Used inside slurs and at phrase tails.
And one absence: slurred notes have no tongue between them at all. The air flows; the fingers do all the work of separating one pitch from the next.
Play the line three times. First with too on every note, then doo, then slurred (one tongue on note 1, no tongue after).
Play: a melody that needs both
The first phrase below wants too — clear and forward. The second wants doo — smooth and inward. Played the wrong way round, the melody loses its shape.
First half: too, like steps. Second half: doo, like a descent into rest. Listen for the difference.
Now play these
- Merrily We Roll Along
- Try it twice: once entirely on too, once entirely on doo. Note how the character of the song shifts.
- When the Saints Go Marching In
- A march. Strong, forward too throughout. The articulation is the rhythm.
- Go Tell Aunt Rhody
- Slow, sad. Almost entirely doo. The lighter attack is what makes it weep.
When you can take any of the songs above and consciously change its character by changing the articulation, move on to Lesson 9.
The tongue tires faster than the fingers at this stage. Build up gradually — see daily practice.