amtrpt

Hi,
The first thing that I try to keep in mind is that for me my best articulation is an interruption of the air. What I really don't want to do is let my tounging dictate how I use my air. Imagine a fan blowing. Now pass your hand in front of the fan. Or course the air from the fan stays the same. Another example is throwing a pebble in a running stream. The water continues it's forward progress. I think that is the most important part of having a clear and reliable ariculation.
Now when I want to think specifically about how I use my tounge to articulate there are a few exercises that I like to think about. Here's the one I like the best.
First decide what kind af articulation you want to use, short, medium, long etc. Then take any scale. Put the metronome on quarter note equals 60. Play the first of the scale for four beats in a repeated triplet pattern and then a quarter note on the first beat of the next measure. Then rest for three beats. Then the next note etc. Go up and down the scale, then arpeggiate the scale. Try to really listen to the quality and consistency of articulation. Also be very careful to keep the air moving forward. If you want to make sure you are using the air correctly play the first two beats of each measure as a half note, then two beats of triplets. You can use this idea with any rhythmic pattern you want.
I hope that this is clear enough and that you find it helpful
Best,
Andrew