Tips on how to pronounce the Spanish "rr" trill?

Question

Anyone have tips on pronouncing the Spanish double "r" trill? I've tried for over 3 months already and I still can't get it! I've looked up tips on the Internet too, but none of them seem to work for me. Any tried-and-true tips from people that can actually pronounce the "rr" trill?

Thanks~

Is the tip of the tongue curled, or is it parallel (flat against, I suppose) to the roof of the mouth?

Answer 1

put a pencil (horizontal way) between your lips then roll the tongue to the back without touching the pencil, you'll get the sound and the mouth will kind of vibrate.

1st your try to make that sound, then try some words...
carro, perro, gorra, ferrocarril

Answer 2

In gracias the c is pronounced as an S. However in many other Spanish words beginning with a C, like Casa Corazon, or Comer the C particularly the first in a word is pronounced as a C. In addition people from Spain pronounce the c as a zeta but that's another issue Hope this helps NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKER

Answer 3

Practice. It's almost like making a D sound but with a lighter touch of the tongue to the roof of the mouth.

Answer 4

I'm one of those people who took YEARS to learn how to trill the "rr", so I'm proof that it can be learned. :) I wrote something fairly extensive on my language blog a while back
http://languagelover.blogspot.com/2005/05/rolling-rs.html
but here are my tips:
1) Learn to "flip" the r first, like saying "ah-da ah-da ah-da" fast. When you have this mastered, you can try to repeat the "d" part.
2) LISTEN to Spanish as much as you can. Your brain learns to imitate what you hear.
3) I personally find the "rr" easier to pronounce between certain sets of vowels, especially "o" (try "ahorro"). Most Spanish students encounter it first in "perro", which is still a bit difficult for me sometimes.

Answer 5

Let's see, put your tongue in your paladar, or however you people say it, the top of your mouth!!! And tremble it. Wow I don't know how to explain it on words, sorry. It is easy, well I know how to do it. I am so sorry, if you know anyone in person that can do it, ask them if htey can teach you because the internet is not gonna help. Someone in front of you needs to do it.

Answer 6

try growling or purring blowing a little air out, also open your mouth ( not very much ) stick the tip of your tongue ( not hard ) to the roof of your mouth and blow out ( not hard ) trying to make the air pass between your tongue and the roof of your mouth.

Answer 7

Purr like cat woman, It's fun to try. It's hard for non native speakers to do it, I know. But remember, your tongue should tickle a bit. If it does, you are on the right track!

Answer 8

See my answer to this question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkG2ncfvyiOsT8Be_.6fS.YjzKIX?qid=1006022701762

The tip of the tongue is the very end of the tongue. There is no need tpress it hard against the alveolar ridge.

Answer 9

Keep practicing. That's it. You'll get it eventually...

Purrrrrrrrring like a cat is a nice idea.

The word "ferrocarril" is a nice word to practice also. It means "locomotive", "train" or "railway".

Don't worry if you can't do it now. If you keep at it, you'll get it.

Answer 10

my span teacher had us try.. its jus a natural thing