Playing the Recorder
So it's time to study the recorder in music class. Don't sweat it! With a little bit of practice you'll discover just how fun it can be! Here I've included some helpful hints and even a little bit of recorder history to help as you begin to play this cool instrument.
Helpful Hints for Practicing at Home:
1. Try to find a quiet spot where you can practice and really focus on what you're doing. Distractions like siblings or the TV can keep you from doing your best. Try a bedroom with the door closed, or the basement, or the garage. Some students even practice outside when the weather's nice. Make time to practice every day. Set a goal of at least 10 minutes each day.
2. The left hand is always placed above the right hand. Try a sticker on the left hand if you have trouble remembering.
3. Cover holes tightly--leaks cause squeaks! Look for little circles on the pads of your fingers.
4. Blow gently and evenly with a warm, moist, steady stream of air. Imagine fogging a mirror or a cold window.
2. The left hand is always placed above the right hand. Try a sticker on the left hand if you have trouble remembering.
3. Cover holes tightly--leaks cause squeaks! Look for little circles on the pads of your fingers.
4. Blow gently and evenly with a warm, moist, steady stream of air. Imagine fogging a mirror or a cold window.
A Little Bit of Recorder History
The recorder was known as the English Flute in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries when it enjoyed enormous popularity. Played by kings and queens as well as the common man, used by major composers such as Bach, Telemann, and Handel, and featured in the plays of Shakespeare, the recorder flourished. In the 19th and 20th centuries the recorder was all but forgotten as our modern flute grew in importance. In recent years, the recorder has experienced a great revival.
The recorder is played by professional musicians in the best ensembles throughout the world. There are seven different sizes of recorder being used today, the smallest the sopranino at about nine inches in length, and the largest the contra-bass at about eight feet in length. Most popular are the soprano and alto recorders.
The recorder is most often played with guitar, piano, harpsichord, or with a group of other recorders, called a consort. Songs and dances of the Medieval and Renaissance periods, elaborate Baroque pieces, and folk and popular music are all very well-suited to the recorder. The recorder is no longer an instrument of antiquity, but an important part of today's music.
The recorder is played by professional musicians in the best ensembles throughout the world. There are seven different sizes of recorder being used today, the smallest the sopranino at about nine inches in length, and the largest the contra-bass at about eight feet in length. Most popular are the soprano and alto recorders.
The recorder is most often played with guitar, piano, harpsichord, or with a group of other recorders, called a consort. Songs and dances of the Medieval and Renaissance periods, elaborate Baroque pieces, and folk and popular music are all very well-suited to the recorder. The recorder is no longer an instrument of antiquity, but an important part of today's music.
The above historical information is quoted from the article,
A Brief History of the Recorder, by Jim Phypers.
The article in its entirety can be found at
http://www.solarhaven.org/recorder.htm
A Brief History of the Recorder, by Jim Phypers.
The article in its entirety can be found at
http://www.solarhaven.org/recorder.htm
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District is responsible for questionable or controversial content found through
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Updated 5/12/2020 JL
Zumwalt School District web pages to provide access to their personal pages or
other servers or online services. Although the Fort Zumwalt School District
attempts to restrict external links to web sites of appropriate educational
content, neither Pheasant Point Elementary School or Fort Zumwalt School
District is responsible for questionable or controversial content found through
links external to this site.
Updated 5/12/2020 JL