We have now arrived at the Consonant r

R is a powerful vibrating sound. As with the consonant L it has the character of a vowel sound.

R is traditionally recognised as an "air sound" capable of originating from all positions in the mouth - being dependent upon availability of sufficient breath to create the sound we intend. The varying positions of the root of this consonantal sound renders it unique. It has the potential for being "rolled" as a sound which can also be heard as purring, except when originating from the area of the teeth.

Cecil Harwood in his Essay "Eurythmy and the Word" published in the 25th Issue (1973) of The Golden Blade describes the r sound "like a wheel rolling uncontrollably down a hill" with the energy, power and force associated with that image. He asserts r sounds "should be rolled as the Scots roll them."

Experience speaking words where the r has a central role. Examples are "breathing" and "freedom." In both words the r drives the rest of the word, vowels and consonants, in a formidable way. Cecil Harwood cautions against allowing r sounds to disappear into following vowel sounds.

A good example of the value of not allowing this to happen, in either English or German, is in the repeated phrase "Rest well, rest well." - "Ruht wohl, ruht wohl." in a chorus at the end of Bach's St John Passion. Here the r sound needs to be both independent of the following vowel and of sufficient length to portray, vividly, the final act of resting. 

Choose a sentence containing a number of r's. Identify within the sentence an r where expression of the meaning of the word is helped by the r sound being long in length. Also identify an r where expression of the meaning of the word is helped by the r sound being short in length.

For example, "Rain fell abruptly." The first r needs to be of sufficient length to help the listener receive the picture, imagination, of heavy wet rain, which it will be, if it fell "abruptly." In contrast, the length of the r sound in the word abruptly has to be short for the listener to receive the picture, image, of rain falling suddenly. As with all consonants and vowels, consciously identifying the picture image we are seeking to present ensures our making the most appropriate sound.

The r sound lends itself to being formed consciously because it can: be created from different places in the mouth; require a lot of breath; be long or short in length; be very prominent or hidden.

Dr Rudolf Steiner created general speech exercises to help sounds enter into the consciousness of a speaker to encourage feeling into and general articulation of a sound. One is as follows:

Rateless ration

roosted roomily

reason wretched

ruined Roland

royalty roster.

As before with these exercises the way the words, consonants and vowels are assembled are not intended to have any meaning. The words, consonants and vowels are placed together to meet the purpose of the exercise.

Recite these lines many times. Experience being conscious of all the vowels and consonants, in particular the r, for it's ability to be both long and short in length and it's rolling quality.

The "sister" art to speech formation, eurythmy - visible speech - has a movement to represent r where from outstretched arms in front of us the hands move forward in a slight up and down wavering motion.

Look and listen to how others form the r sounds and the nature of their impact. Experiment yourself and listen to how you feel towards your own different renderings of r.

Feel the energy, the power, the force, your conscious use of breath, accompanying gestures and physical movements, when embracing the characteristic of this consonant to help create - living speech.

Please tell me and others through this Blog how you get on.

Here is a recording of my speaking this sound, sentence example, "Rest well" Phrase and Exercise.

Good luck!