How to Slap Tongue

Slap tonguing is an extended technique which achieves a percussive effect that can be used on its own or to start a sustained pitch. It is a neat sound, especially on the bass clarinet, but difficult to learn. Last week, I was thinking about how long it took me to finally learn how to slap tongue correctly, and I decided to make a little instructional video in the hopes of helping others learn this technique! I love extended techniques, so maybe this will be the beginning of a series….?

In this video I describe a three-step process for learning how to slap tongue on the clarinet or saxophone.

Step 1: Practice creating suction with the tongue, away from the instrument, on a large reed or piece of glass
Step 2: Practice creating suction with the tongue on the reed with your normal setup, but without forming an embouchure.
Step 3: Form a normal embouchure and attempt to slap tongue while blowing into the instrument

Learning the action needed to slap tongue without forming an embouchure ensures that you won’t be using the oral cavity to create suction, but that you are doing it correctly — with the tongue. In the video I mention some other helpful hints including using a soft reed, and keeping your tongue farther forward (as if anchor tonguing) and then pulling down. Good luck!