Learn to Play Recorder

Red River Valley

  • Develop expressive legato playing
  • Shape flowing 4/4 phrases

Notes Used: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C (high), D (high)

Time Signature: 4/4 · Key: G Major

Fingering Review

Full Song

It begins with a two-note pickup ("From this...").

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 5 7 9 11 13 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 5 7 9 11 13 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 6 8 10 12 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 4 7 9 11 13 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 4 8 11 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 5 8 11 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 6 11 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 6 11
Notation

Traditional verse (public domain):

From this valley they say you are going,
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile,
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathways awhile.

Practice Exercises

Let the pickup rise into the long B ("From this val-ley...").

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439

Keep the descent legato ("...you are go-ing").

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439
Notation

Reach high D smoothly ("We will miss your bright eyes...").

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439
Notation

The only phrase with F# ("That has brightened our pathways awhile").

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439
Notation
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 5 6 7 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 5 6 7 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 5 7 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 5 7 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 4 7 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 6 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 5 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 6 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 6
Notation