What is the easiest way to double tongue above the staff on a trumpet?

Question

What is the easiest way to double tongue above the staff on a trumpet?

Answer 1

Well, there really is no easiest way.

How is your single, double and triple tonguing all around?  The only way to do this is to practice all forms of tonguing in all registers.

Here's a few things to try:

Play all your major and 3 forms of minor scales double tongued, from as low as possible to above the staff.  Start at a slow tempo (60 bpm) and gradually increase.  You can also do this chromatically.  For example Bb starting on low Bb, double tongue all the way up to high Bb above the staff and back down again.  

Start on G above the staff, use a metronome at 60 bpm and double tongue a bar of 16th notes in 4/4 time. [ta-ka-ta-ka] Then, continue up chromatically to at least high C above the staff.  When this is becomes easy for you, add a bar, then 3 bars, then 4.  Also gradually increase the tempo. Create your own exercises in this way and you'll be using your entire brain/body to achieve this technique.

A couple books may help you:

The Clarke method book - play the 1st and 2nd exercises above the staff, double tongued.  Start slow and soft.  Do not overblow, you need to develop nuance in order to pull off this difficult technique.

The Alan Vizutti Trumpet Method books.  His whole section on double tonguing - learn ALL of it, its so natural and musical you'll get a lot out of it.

When you tire, REST! Take the trumpet away from your lips and let them rest for a minute or two - to let the blood flow back into your lips.  Then repeat.  Stop for the day when you tire too much, you can injure yourself.  

How is your breathing?  Do you breath properly, from your gut and not the shoulders?  You will never, ever be able to do anything if you raise your shoulders even the slightest when inhaling before blowing through the horn.  Listen to your sound, hear it deeply, the music you make.  Even though its an exercise you should still be thinking/hearing/feeling music.   This will help you relax too and play with less pressure.

Practice every day (yes, every single day), slow and consistent, and gradually increase the tempo.  It is WAY better to be able to play an exercise well at a slow tempo than to play it poorly at a fast tempo - this is because your brain will process the information better at a slower tempo.  Then you'll be able to learn the fast tempo much better and easier.