triple-tongue

[ trip-uhl-tuhng ]

verb (used without object)

, Music.

, tri·ple-tongued, tri·ple-tongu·ing.

1. to interrupt the wind flow by moving the tongue as if pronouncing t and t and k successively, especially in playing rapid passages or staccato notes on a brass instrument.

triple-tongue

verb

1. music to play (very quick staccato passages of notes grouped in threes) on a wind instrument by a combination of single- and double-tonguing Compare single-tongue double-tongue

Derived Forms

• triple tonguing, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of triple-tongue¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

He is happy strutting before any good hot band where he can introduce himself as "The Reverend Satchel Mouth" and proceed to triple-tongue a cornet at incredible speed.

From Time Magazine Archive