Ghost Tonguing - "Dooden (Dood’n) Tonguing"

AKA "Sub Tonguing", "La-la Tonguing" or "Half Tonguing"

I have also heard this referred to as "doodle tonguing", however I believe that is incorrect, being a trombone and trumpet technique very similar to legato tonguing. Whether or not "dooden (or dood’n) tonguing" is the correct term, that’s what I shall use until someone is able to correct me (Please feel free). In his book on jazz articulation, Miles Osland refers to it as subtonguing. This sounds like a good term, but easily confused with subtoning. I have heard that David Sanborn uses the term "la-la tonguing", which sounds likley but I find the association with the Teletubby of that name a bit off putting.

As mentioned in the page on Articulation & Tonguing, the ideal way to tongue is to place the tip of the tongue on the tip of the reed. If you can do that (and for some people it is easier than others), then dood’n tonguing should be quite straightforward. As mentioned on that page the tip of the tongue is placed against the reed in order to stop the note. With dood’n tonguing, the tongue is placed so lightly against the tip of the reed, that the note is only partially stopped, it is choked or damped so that some air is allowed to escape mostly around the sides) of the tongue. You will get a rough idea vocally if you place your tongue against the bottom of your top teeth, and repeatedly say a prolonged "th" syllable.

It works best when alternated with normal note production as in the example above.