Auld Lang Syne
- Learn Scottish folk song style
- Practice nostalgic, reflective character
- Master the complete Book 1 repertoire!
About This Song
Origin: Traditional Scottish folk song (Robert Burns, 1788)
Difficulty: Advanced
Notes Used: C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C (high)
Time Signature: 4/4
Key: F Major
Fingering Review
Full Song
The perfect song to end Book 1! A timeless Scottish melody about friendship, memories, and new beginnings. Play with warmth and nostalgia.
Practice Tips
- Nostalgic character: This is a song of fond memories and friendship - play with warmth
- Scottish folk style: Keep it simple and heartfelt, not overly complicated
- Reflective mood: Play with gentle reflection on the past
- New beginnings: While nostalgic, it also looks forward - balance sadness and hope
Practice Exercises
Practice the distinctive opening with dotted rhythm.
Master the ascent to and descent from high C.
Practice the second statement of the opening.
Practice the closing descent to F.
Play the full song with warmth and nostalgia - celebrate completing Book 1!
Historical Context
Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song with lyrics by poet Robert Burns, published in 1788, though the melody is likely much older. The title translates roughly to "old long since" or "days gone by." Burns wrote the poem after collecting fragments of old Scottish songs. It became the traditional song for welcoming the New Year, first in Scotland and then worldwide. The song speaks of remembering old friends and times past while raising a cup of kindness. It's now sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve around the world, and also at graduations, farewells, and other occasions marking transitions. Its universal message of friendship, memory, and continuity has made it one of the most widely known songs on earth.
Congratulations! By learning Auld Lang Syne, you've completed all 60 songs in Book 1 of the alto recorder curriculum! You've mastered songs from multiple traditions, styles, and time periods. You should be proud of your accomplishment. This final song is perfect for Book 1's conclusion - it honors the journey you've taken while looking forward to future musical adventures.
What You've Accomplished
By completing Book 1, you have:
- Learned 60 traditional songs from around the world
- Mastered the fundamental techniques of alto recorder playing
- Explored folk music from England, Ireland, Scotland, America, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Japan, and more
- Played music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and folk traditions
- Developed your musical expression, tone, and phrasing
- Built a strong foundation for advanced recorder playing
Next Steps
Now that you've completed Book 1, you're ready to:
- Move on to Book 2 for more advanced repertoire
- Play in recorder ensembles and groups
- Explore solo recorder repertoire from various periods
- Continue developing your musicianship and expression
- Share your love of music with others!