EMG data from the musculus palatoglossus and the m. levator veli palatini as well as velograph recordings of velic movement in the production of plosives in German are discussed. The results point to the articulation of lenis plosives being controlled by a slower raising and a faster lowering of the velum than in the case of fortis plosives, within a fairly constant time frame for the complete movement. A simple neural programme is postulated consisting of a control for the macro-timing and for two movement patterns within it.