How to Play Simple Songs on the Recorder

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Recorder (plastic, wood or ivory)
• Recorder fingering chart
• Music for recorder

1. 1
   Hold the recorder in front of you with your left hand. Put your thumb on the back hole and left index finger over first top hole. Use your right hand to balance the back of the instrument. Place the mouthpiece between your lips and exhale smoothly and evenly. This produces the B note.
   
2. 2
   Add your left middle finger to cover second hole. Gently blow. This is the A note.
   
3. 3
   With your left index finger still over first top hole and left middle finger covering the second hole, place your ring finger on third hole down. Gently blow. You’ve formed the G note. Try all three keys in succession.
   
4. 4
   You are ready to play your first song,"Three Blind Mice." Follow the three keys you have just learned. Take breaths between each segment: B, A, G, breathe. B, A, G, breathe. G, G, G, G, breathe. A, A, A, A, breathe. B, A, G.
   
5. 5
   Try something more challenging. Play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" following the same fingering instructions: B, A, G, A, breathe. B, B, B, breathe. A, A, A, breathe. B, B, B, breathe. B, A, G, A, breathe. B, B, B, B, breathe. A, A, B, A, breathe, G. Hold the G for a count of four.
   
6. 6
   Now play "Merrily We Roll Along." B, A, G, A, breathe. B, B, B, breathe. A, A, A, breathe. B, B, B, breathe. B, A, G, A, breathe. B, B, B, breathe. A, A, B, A, breathe. G-G-G-G. Hold the last G for a count of four.