In spoken German, the uvular R-sound is the standard (similar to the French R). However, this is not recommended when it comes to singing, especially since the sound is produced in the back of the mouth, almost like the “ach”-sound.

What you should use instead is the so-called tongue R which comes in two variations: the rolled r [r] and the flipped r [ɾ]. In some (rare) cases, you might even use the vocalic r [ɐ].

The difference between rolled and flipped r lies in the number of tongue taps you use to articulate the r-sound: for a rolled r you usually pronounce 2- to 3-tap trills [r]. In case of a flipped [ɾ] you only produce one tap.
The vocalic r substitute [ɐ] does not need the tongue at all. It is formed like the schwa [ə] but slightly darker.

How to do a rolled R

First of all, let’s see how tongue taps are produced in the mouth: the sides of the tongue touch the upper back teeth, the tip of the tongue taps against the alveolus. When you press the air through, it causes the tongue to trill.

If you have difficulties with this rolled R, you might use this very effective exercise I “borrowed” from Amanda Johnston: “Speak ‘Tada’ (as a magician would) very slowly at first, mindful of solely using the tip of the tongue to produce [t] and [d]. Gradually increase the speed, so that [d] becomes a flipped [ɾ]. The tongue must remain loose as the speed increases. “

The different R-sounds in German

Pronounce 2- to 3-tap trills [r] in spellings of the letter r

– In initial Position:
Ruhe (silence), Räder (wheels), Rache (Revenge)

– Medial, after a consonant:
Grollen (grumble), während (during), frei (free)

– Medial, before a consonant:
Werke (works), Sturm (tempest), Erde (earth)

– In spellings of „rr“:
Irre (crazy), harren (await), herrlich (magnificent)

ATTENTION: When two consecutive r’s belong to two separate elements, then the first r is pronounced as one-tap trill [ɾ] (or vocalic [ɐ]) and the second as rolled [r]:
Ver/räter (traitor), Winter/reise (winter journey)

Use the one-tap trilled [ɾ]

– with the word endings -ern and -erl :
Erleichtern (to ease), schimmern (glimmer), Erlkönig

– Between two vowels:
Verloren (lost), zieren (embellish)

You may either use the one-tap trilled (flipped) [ɾ] or the vocalic [ɐ] in all spellings of the letter r

– Final in a word or prefix, after a long vowel:
Tür (door), Meer (sea), herkommen (come from)

– Unstressed word endings:
Über (over), später (later), Untergang (downfall)

How do you choose when to use [ɾ] and when [ɐ]?

When you sing lieder and/or the text is to be sung quite fast, I recommend using the vocalic [ɐ]. Make sure that the sound is articulated as short as possible. It should be an off-glide at the end of the vowel, not a second vowel.

When you sing opera or oratorio, understanding is often a problem. For this reason, I recommend that you use the one-tap trill [ɾ] and not [ɐ].

The final decision should also be made according to texture, optimal clarity and projection for singing. If in doubt, ask your trusted pronunciation coach ?.