Posted by Heter on May 24, 2003 at 22:17:24:
In Reply to: Re: Re: "T" and "D" syllables posted by Tabor T and A, er..D on May 17, 2003 at 01:52:31:
I think you can use either "Tu" or "Du", as long you keep an open throated tone, and get your attack in double and triple tonguing to basically "bounce" along on a cushion of solid breath support. Mr. Bell liked "Tu"; my cornet teacher (yes, I still play both) James F. Burke, who was a student of Ernest Williams and Del Staigers preferred "du" for single, "du-du-gah" for triple and "du-gah" for double. And anyone reading this who remembers Jimmy knows he could seamlessly switch between them, baffling everybody.
The point is, I think, find a happy medium where you can articulate cleanly without strain - too many players fight their horns - and make sure you refrain from goofy stuff like "throat" attacks. Go back and read Arban's text - the "attack", a contradiction in terms, is actually a "retreat". You use your tongue to start the note, and then get it out of the way for the air to keep your lips vibrating, etc.
Also, seriously - make sure you are BLOWING the horn. It's a WIND instrument, and all the mouthpieces and vented valves and triggers, and consultations with speech therapists won't help you at all if you don't fill the horn with AIR.