I think I've figured it out
 

how to emulate the french rolling of the r's!!

I said something today without clearing my throat, and it sounded like a french person said it. The secret is to leave your mouth and throat full of saliva when you speak.

Try it!

(sorry if this insults anyone, but it really seems to work)

Hmm interesting approach, but ya the French R is guttural meaning it is pronounced in the throat. I know that description is as useless as a bucket with a hole in it for carrying water, but keep playing around with your throat and you will learn to do it without the saliva. Once you get it all of a sudden your French sounds tons better.:) Personally I am not looking forward to when it comes time for me to perfect the Spanish trilled R.:(

I agree with HibyPrime, a good mouthful of saliva makes much rounder tones.

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Wouldn't the French think that we're being slobs when we roll the R with spit flying everywhere? :D And I thought the Spanish R was tough. :rolleyes:

You're gonna spit everywhere like rcs said :D. Believe me, you can do the R with all your saliva dried :p
And it's not rolled in French. Russians do that (and others I don't remember)

for me the spanish r is easy but the french one gives me trouble

Everyone needs a good showerin' once in awhile

I don't know what to call the french r's other than a roll, but yeah, it's not really a roll..

Here's a lesson. Make sure you don't spit everywhere :D :
http://french.about.com/cs/pronunciation/ht/r.htm

Other (same site):
http://french.about.com/library/pron...nciation-r.htm
In that page, she confirms the second most difficult French sound is the "U"

hmm.. If your mouth is full of water (or saliva, eww), you are forced to talk out of your throat rather than your mouth, almost like gargling. I think this is why I end up being able to pronounce the R without clearing my throat.

Just image having a mouthful of water, tilt your head back, and then try to emulate the french R. You would end up with water all over yourself, but the sound would be right (well, almost anyway).

Of course it's not a perfect sound, and I would probably sound like an idiot to you if I recorded it :P