An Analysis of the Doodle Tonguing Technique for Trombone and its Application to Performance

This exegesis investigates the Doodle Tonguing technique for trombone, and its use in jazz performance. Doodle Tonguing is a modification of the standard tonguing techniques used by brass players and was developed for the trombone by Carl Fontana in the late 1940’s. A review of literature showed that Doodle Tonguing was developed in order to allow trombonists to play difficult rapid passages with greater fluidity and evenness than could be achieved with standard tonguing techniques, essentially imitating a valve instrument. Although Doodle Tonguing was recognized as having advantages, especially when performing rapid passages, adoption of the technique was relatively low and the technique had been crudely documented.

An artistic research in music investigation was conducted to elucidate the following:

1) How may Doodle Tonguing extend the scope of performance on the Trombone?

2) Can the Doodle Tonguing technique be better codified in order to more accurately reflect current practice?

3) How can Doodle Tonguing be applied to improvised performance?

Five benefits to performance were linked to Doodle Tonguing: clear execution of phrases at rapid tempos; assistance in the execution of awkward slurs; facilitation of legato playing at soft volumes; affecting smooth and accurate transitions in the high register of the trombone and widening the palette of rhythmic variations available to improvisers. Of these, the latter four benefits are not well documented or recognized in extant literature. The net effect of these benefits is an increased creative flow when performing.

The research identified a variety of Doodle Tonguing methods, some of which shared commonalities and some of which did not. Methods that were only previously described anecdotally were synthesized and incorporated into my own practice, leading to a Doodle Tonguing methodology which provided the greatest performance benefits to me. Additionally, a performance outcome was produced as a result of this research, consisting of six works specifically composed to illustrate the usage of Doodle Tonguing in an improvised performance context.

The findings of this research suggest that although it is difficult to achieve proficiency with the Doodle Tonguing technique, there are numerous significant performance benefits to be derived from doing so. Further, a better codification of the technique, alongside a better understanding of the benefits of this technique, is likely to lead to more widespread adoption of Doodle Tonguing amongst trombonists, both within the jazz genre and beyond.