Posted by Steve Dedman on September 23, 2001 at 16:00:50:
In Reply to: Help With Correcting A Tonguing Issue posted by Matt A on September 23, 2001 at 10:56:25:
From your post I can't tell if you mean that you are literally using too much of your tongue in the process, or if you are actually using the right amount of tongue, but "slamming" your attacks.
There are some exercises that will help either way. The thing to be the most concious of is to have a rock steady airstream at all times. If you are slamming your attacks, it's probably because you are using your tongue as a dam holding back your air. When you release it all at once, it sounds like you're trying to knock down the wall. Think instead of using your tongue to interrupt your air in as minimal a way as possible. If you are actually using too much of your tongue, try thinking of spitting a sesame seed off of your bottom lip. Both ideas require keeping your air moving.
Play lots of etudes by Rochut and Fink. The slurred exercises will help you work on the steady airstream. When you get into something technical like a Tyrell or a Kopprasch, use the same airstream, and just let the air lead.
Good luck
Steve