Resources
You cannot practise what you cannot recognise. Spend time with the names of things.
A short reference for material that doesn’t fit cleanly into a lesson: fingering charts for the diatonic notes, recommended method books, and a glossary of the tempo, dynamic, and articulation terms that appear in our notation.
Fingering chart — soprano (C)
Eight notes covering the first full octave. Tap any chart to hear the pitch.
Recommended method books
There is no shortage of good recorder methods. The shortlist below is what we draw on for the curriculum.
- Recorder Karate · beginner
- A belt-system progression that motivates young students through coloured belts.
- Essential Elements · beginner
- A band-method-style approach — thorough on rhythm.
- Hugh Orr, Basic Recorder Technique · intermediate
- The standard intermediate text in English. Clear, musical, well sequenced.
- Mario Duschenes, Method for the Recorder · intermediate
- A more compact alternative, with a strong articulation focus.
- Hans-Martin Linde, Die Kunst des Blockflötenspiels · advanced
- Rigorous treatment of advanced technique. Available in German and English.
- Walter van Hauwe, The Modern Recorder Player · advanced
- Three volumes; the contemporary repertoire’s standard reference.
Care and maintenance
Plastic recorders are forgiving; wooden recorders are not. The minimum routine after every session, for either:
- Swab moisture out with the cleaning rod and cloth.
- Allow the recorder to dry fully before storing it.
- Keep it away from direct sun and from temperature extremes.
If a note becomes stuffy or starts squeaking, the most common culprit is moisture in the windway. Cover the window with a finger and blow firmly to clear it. If that fails, swab again.
Glossary
Tempo
- Largo
- Very slow and broad.
- Adagio
- Slow.
- Andante
- At a walking pace.
- Moderato
- Moderate.
- Allegro
- Fast.
- Presto
- Very fast.
Dynamics
- pp · pianissimo
- Very soft.
- p · piano
- Soft.
- mp · mezzo-piano
- Moderately soft.
- mf · mezzo-forte
- Moderately loud.
- f · forte
- Loud.
- ff · fortissimo
- Very loud.
Articulation
- Staccato
- Short, detached.
- Legato
- Smooth and connected.
- Accent
- Emphasised.
- Tenuto
- Held for full value.
- Fermata
- Held longer than written, at the player’s discretion.