Singing For Dummies
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The sound for the consonant R is the hardest to shape in speaking and singing. An R can be confusing because it sometimes stands alone as an individual sound and sometimes is closely linked with a vowel. It is a voiced consonant. When you sing words that contain a consonant R, you may notice that your

  • Tongue’s tip rises toward the roof of your mouth behind the alveolar ridge for this consonant.

  • Lips shape for the vowel sound that follows the R.

In other languages, R is rolled or flipped. Flipping an R means saying the R like a D, and rolling an R means touching the tip of your tongue on your alveolar ridge as you would with a D, and then blowing air over it to make your tongue vibrate like in a tongue trill. Flipped or rolled Rs aren’t appropriate for American English. Try the following sentences to practice R:

  • Row, row, row the boat.

  • Right the wrong.

  • Race red rover.

  • Run, rabbit, run.

About This Article

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Pamelia S. Phillips is a professional singer with over 35 years of teaching experience. She has designed curriculum for high school students, college BFA programs, and professional training programs, helping thousands of singers refine their singing technique.

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