The best trilled [r] video yet!

On this channel I make videos on topics in Spanish language and linguistics. Mostly phonetics and phonology, but also dialectology, sociolinguistics, and historical linguistics. Many of my videos come from questions asked by viewers in the comment section.
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Spanish R
Spanish r
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how to roll spanish r

[manofcorn]

Every trilled R tutorial:
Step 1: Place you tongue like so
Step 2: Trill your R's

[thinkpad]

5:00 ah the inevitable moment in seemingly every trilled R video where you've been correctly doing everything they ask until finally they're like, "and then you go and I just go "pfftththdhdhdhththth" 😑

[drryanjames]

No matter how much air flow I produce, my tongue does not move.

[KaigerKaiju]

When I try to add the air pressure, the air just passes by my tongue

[MA-jgtw]

I’ve been waiting for this information for a long time. Retroflex was the word I needed I think, nobody ever mentioned that. I can do a fake Indian accent so I can trill my r’s, it was always that easy! But I never knew I could. Thanks

[cyrex]

MISSING TECHNIQUE: This did it for me instantly after months trying: Lie in bed and tilt your head completely back. This makes your tongue rest against the roof of your mouth. Much easier to get the tongue into position while leaving it relaxed.

[briannalove]

EDIT: One day, a few weeks ago, I randomly got it. And I'm honestly a bit frustrated about it because I have no idea what I did differently, if I even did in the first place. I had hoped that if the time ever came where I did it, I'd be able to give some tips to people who were also struggling to help them figure it out too. My problem was that I would have my tongue in the right spot, but the air would either push my tongue out of the way with at most one "tap" or I'd be trying to compensate with extra pressure and my tongue wouldn't allow any air past. I was practicing with the former outcome, and then just *got* it completely randomly when I wasn't even trying. I wish I had some secret info for everyone in the replies who are struggling but I'm afraid not. At this point, I can only produce the isolated sound, and can't do it voiced yet. And it's not 100% perfect either. Given that I can't get it every time I try (it's more like 90%), I do think it's a case of getting all the steps perfect just once and then being able to finally progress from there. Good luck everyone. (Jan '24)

Nope, I still can't get my tongue to vibrate lol. This video did definitely help with my tongue placement but no matter how much I try I can never get it to actually vibrate... closest I've gotten is when I've sneezed! Hopefully I can get it eventually lol

[RobPinionYes]

At last I know what to do. Four years of high school Spanish and two more semesters in college. Lots of people tell me I have good Spanish skills, but they just don't acknowledge I haven't been able to trill my r's. I have a linguistics degree and never had anyone show me where the tongue is, what part of the tongue is there, and how to build up pressure like saying an [Indian subcontinent] d. I have had many people attempt to describe what is going on to no avail. Now, I'm taking Latin. They think Latin speakers trilled their r's; so, once again, I'm on a quest to do it. Thank you. I actually got this working partially tonight.

[kathleenmontiel]

For all of those who cannot trill their Rs, there is still hope. I am a native Spanish speaker from Costa Rica where we DO NOT trill our Rs (we are always made fun of but we don't care), we pronounce our Rs just like Americans do. So, there you go!!

[ebranham]

Well... I sound like an angry helecopter or machine gun, and my vision goes blurry when i do it, lol

[WigantX]

Spanish speaking guy here. For most part this is exactly was I was trying to explain to some english speaking friend when rolling their R:
>Location of the tongue.
>Similar sound in their native language.
>The cat purring method.

I already send them this video, so they finally can embrace spanish rolled R.

[srpskihayk]

Yeah, my tongue does not vibrate when pushed with air. The air just goes around it. The only way I have ever been able to vibrate the tip of my tongue is use my throat that little flappy thing hanging down from the throat.
It has never worked for me. My Bosnian family (trilled r's are used, and I cannot do them and never have been able to) have always thought me to be defective. I do think it is one of those things you have to be genetically inclined to do or learn, like being able to learn to play a violin, or any complex instrument, like a maestro, or to rattle of primes to a billion wihtout thinking.

Reading through the comments, it is heartening to know there is a community of people who cannot, no matter what they do, trill their r's. It is like a support group.

[banton]

Can you please elaborate on “air pressure”? I actually don’t know what are you talking about

[dominicpayne]

This video just goes to prove that the simplest explanations are always the best! After four years of learning Spanish I've been very inconsistent with trilling r. I've now spent two days nailing it every time! (it's a start)

[Project]

"Find the D sound."
"Done."
"Find the other D sound."
"Done, I feel it."
"Put some air pressure."
*Lower Lips immediately let out all air, not vibrating the tongue as it is cleaning out my gums.*
OR
*Wind noises/No Noise at all.*
At this point, closest thing I got is some inhuman mess in the back of my throat. I can't tell if it is just I am unable to roll my tongue due to it not relaxing, my lips not being tight, my entire 'D' sound being off, my tongue folding itself too much, not being able to relax my tongue, etc. I have tried for fifteen years to get this right and I still am no closer. At this point, I think it's just safe to assume any language with a rolled R is an automatic fail and I'll just have to move on.

For those who succeed, nicely done. You have far better control, patience, or just better mouth shape. I sincerely and utterly think it's just impossible with my mouth structure at this point.

[lisag]

Your directions were vert descriptive. This is the first time i ever even got any kind of trill sound. The best trick was to lie down and clear the throat.
Thank you

[andypartridge]

This is a brilliant way to break down how the tongue works when trilling. The slightly raised tongue when the air is pushed against it, naturally vibrates it against the alveolar.

I can finally (nearly) roll my Rs! 😛 Practicaré mucho

[CBaggers]

Holy shit, this is the best video on the subject I've ever seen. The shwa was such a breakthrough point. Thanks for the video!

[Wonkyloo]

With this video I have graduated from making an ungodly hissing noise with a lot of drool to a fart sound made by my tongue behind my teeth, without drool! .. . It's... progress???

[epicguy]

the very clear and concise explanation on the tongue placement leading to "just create a tiny bit of air pressure" shows you are truly a master at ragebait, it's honestly impressive