The Tongue Trill

[Heatonc]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum so I'll introduce myself. My name is Reid and I'm a college student in the US. I've been studying spanish for around 3 years, but I have a major problem... I can't "roll my r's" such as in words like "cigarro" and "guitarro"!
So I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me on how to do the tongue trill. It would be a huge help to me because I am very discouraged at the moment in my spanish studies. I feel like I'll be ridiculed every time I try to use my spanish!

[Perikles]

Hello there and welcome. It is probably of no consolation, but I have the same problem in English, and I don't even try in Spanish. Lots of advice but nothing helps me, I'm afraid. I've learned to live with it.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Heatonc

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum so I'll introduce myself. My name is Reid and I'm a college student in the US. I've been studying spanish for around 3 years, but I have a major problem... I can't "roll my r's" such as in words like "cigarro" and "guitarro"!
So I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me on how to do the tongue trill. It would be a huge help to me because I am very discouraged at the moment in my spanish studies. I feel like I'll be ridiculed every time I try to use my spanish!

Can you say "me friend" like an irish?

If so, you are on your way to make it. :-)

[Heatonc]

Originally Posted by chileno

Can you say "me friend" like an irish?

If so, you are on your way to make it. :-)

Sadly, no. I cannot do the trill at all, it's very frustrating.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Heatonc

Sadly, no. I cannot do the trill at all, it's very frustrating.

If you are American, I am sure you can say in a fast way:

Little
Bottle
Leader

All of those, place your tongue in such a fashion that make the sound similar to that of a single Spanish R.

Key thing is the placement of the tongue so you can practice. :-)

[Equis]

I had the same problem, but my teacher in one class forced everyone to do it and thats how I learned

[Heatonc]

Originally Posted by Equis

I had the same problem, but my teacher in one class forced everyone to do it and thats how I learned

Do you remember what she made you say or do?

[Equis]

not really . put your tounge under your front teeth area, but keep the tip sort of loose and the middle part and base of your tounge sturdy. then try to blow at different levels(not a regular blow, try a different one) until you find one that works. sorry i knows its pretty confusing for me to explain! you can search on youtube or som'n also

[pjt33]

http://www.wikihow.com/Roll-Your-%22R%22s

[poli]

You can try to say H and R at the same time. Breathe out when pronouncing the R. If the word has a double R in it, make the R sound last a little longer.

A really pronounced rolled R isn't necessary for communication, and most
Spanish speakers roll their R's only slightly.