tonguing

Tonguing is the term used for the action of the tongue in two broad domains: speech and wind-instrument performance. In both cases, the tongue shapes airflow and initiates or constrains sound through precise contact with the palate or teeth. The technique influences articulation, onset, and timing, and is learned through practice in language use and musical training.

In linguistics and speech science, tonguing describes how the tongue places itself and moves to produce consonants and modify vowel quality. Articulatory categories include places of articulation (such as bilabial, dental, alveolar) and manners of articulation (stops, fricatives, liquids). The tip, blade, or back of the tongue may play the main role, depending on language, dialect, and context. Tongue movement interacts with the lips, teeth, and vocal folds to create distinct phonemes and to help control voicing, timing, and resonance.

In wind instrument playing, tonguing is an articulation technique used to start and separate notes. The tongue typically strikes the palate or mouthpiece to set the air column in motion and to detach one note from the next. Variants include single tonguing (one syllable, often ta), double tonguing (alternating syllables such as ta-ka) and triple tonguing (three-part patterns such as ta-ka-ta). Brass players usually articulate with the tongue against the mouthpiece, while woodwinds may articulate by briefly interrupting the airstream against the reed or mouthpiece. Tonguing is distinguished from legato articulation, where notes are phrased with minimal tongue interruption to achieve smooth connection.

Effective tonguing in both speech and music requires coordination with breathing, airflow, and surrounding articulators, and is typically improved through focused practice.