How To Play The Recorder printable pdf download

How To Play The Recorder

Playing the recorder is easy once you master the basics of fingering, breathing and tonguing.

Fingering

The recorder has 7 holes down the front, and one hole in the back. Each finger on your hand is assigned a

specific hole to cover. Your left thumb will cover the hole on the back of your recorder.

First, you must remember the "Golden Rule" of recorder playing: "Left Hand on Top." It doesn't matter which

hand you write with, or how awkward it may feel, you must always place your left hand on the top holes.

When you place your fingers over the holes, you must create a flat, tight seal. Try to avoid curving your fingers

under. Instead, imagine you are being finger-printed. The tips of your fingers should reach, and possibly hang

over, the side of your recorder.

Breathing

Only the tip of the recorder should be placed in your mouth. Remember, you are going to play the recorder,

not eat it, so make sure that your teeth are not touching the mouthpiece. If your teeth are touching the

mouthpiece, you have the recorder too far into your mouth. Move the recorder outward until only your lips

are around the mouthpiece.

Finally, you must breathe warm air into the recorder and NEVER BLOW!

Tonguing

To produce a clear beginning to each note, you must learn to use your tongue to begin and separate each

note. The tip of your tongue should gently touch the back of your upper teeth at the point where the gum-

line meets your front teeth. It is the same process as you use when you say the word "Tu". You may find it

easiest to practice whispering "Tu, Tu, Tu" until you gain a feel for the concept and can produce the same

action with only air (no sound).

How To Play The Recorder