Lesson 0: Setup — Posture, Breath, and Your First Sound

• Sit (or stand) tall and hold the recorder without tension.
• Sustain one clear pitch for eight seconds, three times in a row, without squeaking.

Before notes, posture. Before posture, breath.

Most squeaks start in the shoulders. Five minutes of setup now saves weeks of correcting habits later. For photos and demonstrations, see holding the recorder and your first sound.

Posture

Sit or stand tall, feet grounded, sternum lifted, shoulders down. Bring the recorder up to your lips rather than craning your head down toward it.

Hand position

Left hand on top, right hand below; the left thumb covers the back hole and both thumbs support the instrument. Cover holes with the flat pads of your fingers, not the tips — a fingertip leaves a gap that leaks air.

Embouchure

The beak rests just behind your lips: teeth off the mouthpiece, lips in a relaxed seal. Whisper "too" — more air makes the recorder squeak, not louder.

Breath support

Air comes from low in your torso: a hand on your belly should move outward as you inhale. Hiss "ssssss" for eight seconds, feeling the air leave steadily.

Your first sound

Cover the thumb hole behind the recorder and the first front hole with your left index finger, then whisper "too" and let the note sustain. You'll hear B — your first soprano note.

Cover the thumb hole behind the recorder and the first front hole with your left index finger, then whisper "too" and let the note sustain. The same fingering on alto sounds E, which is what your staff shows — alto music reads at sounding pitch.

Squeaks, breathy sound, or wobble? See troubleshooting.

When you can sustain your first note evenly for eight seconds, three times in a row, without squeaking, move on to Lesson 1.