Learn to Play Recorder

Lesson 34: Chromatic Notes and Accidentals

  • Play G#4 (Ab4), Eb4 (D#4), and the remaining cross-fingered accidentals.
  • Play C#4 (Db4), Ab3 (G#3) on your alto staff, and the remaining cross-fingered accidentals.
  • Play a chromatic scale and a piece in a minor key with accidentals.

Every accidental on the recorder is a cross-fingering. The recorder has no shortcuts.

You already know F#, C#, and Bb; this lesson completes the chromatic set — G# (enharmonic with Ab), D# (with Eb), and the rest. Every one is cross-fingered, and every one sounds slightly differently coloured than the neighbouring naturals. That unevenness is part of the recorder's character.

You already know F# and Eb on your alto staff; this lesson completes the chromatic set — C# (enharmonic with Db), G# (with Ab), and the rest, with the same physical fingerings as soprano. Every one is cross-fingered and slightly differently coloured than the neighbouring naturals. That unevenness is part of the recorder's character.

G#4 / Ab4

C#4 / Db4

Thumb, three left fingers (as for G), plus right index DOWN and right ring DOWN. Cross-fingered above the natural G.

Thumb, three left fingers (as for C on your alto staff), plus right index DOWN and right ring DOWN. Cross-fingered above the natural C.

Eb4 / D#4

Ab3 / G#3

The E fingering plus the right little finger — pushes the pitch up a half-step. (Some recorders differ; check your chart.)

The A fingering on your alto staff plus the right little finger — pushes the pitch up a half-step. (Some recorders differ; check your chart.)

Listen for evenness of colour across the chromatic notes.

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Play: a minor-key melody with accidentals

D minor with the raised seventh (C#) at the cadence — the “harmonic minor” sound.

G minor on your alto staff with the raised seventh (F#) at the cadence — the “harmonic minor” sound.

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Now play these

Telemann: Sonata in D minor, TWV 41:d4
C# at the cadences.
Reads in G minor on your alto staff; F# at the cadences.
Telemann: Sonata in C minor, TWV 41:c2
C minor — three flats.
F minor on your alto staff — four flats.
Telemann: Sonata in A minor, TWV 41:a4
G# at the cadences.
D minor on your alto staff; C# at the cadences.

When you can play a chromatic scale across an octave without any of the accidentals popping out as louder or thinner than their neighbours, move on to Lesson 35.