I wana learn how to play the recorder, because i think this is one of the best intruments ever, abd to be honest i think is an easy one, i don`t know. But my problem is that i dont have the keys or notes, will someone could tell me them i will give you thanks.

I am assuming you`re playing a descant recorder?

Well.. first of all you need to find out whether your recorder is german or baroque. If its german, it should have a little "G" above the back hole, and baroque recorders have a little "B" there. The difference comes in how you play the notes. Some notes have different fingerings. (I`m used to baroque fingering)Its best to start off with a plastic recorder if you`re just beginning.

There are a couple of sites giving you fingering charts for the recorder, but I`d advise you to go and buy a book for beginners. They are much better than if you try to learn it with just a fingering chart. These books can be found in almost ALL music shops/centres.

But... if you can`t find a book yet... try playing a couple of notes. There are 7 holes on the front of the recorder, and 1 hole at the back. You place your left hand on the top and right hand on the bottom, so that your left thumb covers the back hole (the last two holes are made up of two smaller holes each):

back hole: Left thumb
top hole (1): left index finger
hole 2: left middle finger
hole 3: left ring finger

hole 4: right index finger
hole 5: right middle finger
hole 6: right ring finger

hole 7 (bottom holes): right pinky

BUT you`re only concerned with your left hand as a beginner. The first note you will learn is B.

B is played by covering the back hole and hole 1 (with the fingering above, so you`re using the thumb and undex finger of your left hand)

A is played by covering the back hole and hole 1 + hole 2 (using thumb and index + middle fingers of your left hand)

G is back hole and hole 1 + 2 + 3 (using thumb and index, middle and ring fingers of left hand)

MOST IMPORTANTLY, when you blow into the recorder, you say "doo". don`t just blow. Say "doo" (tongue movement).

Now you have to experiment with breath control, and covering the holes properly. Practice the 3 notes so that you can play them at once (knowing note names, fingerings and how hard to blow, and TONGUEING)

I hope you found this useful... you can email me at pentatonicscale@4testsmail.com if you like. =)

I taught myself to play the soprano recorder (German fingering) about 6 years ago. I do not yet consider myself an expert, but this is what I did.
In the german fingering, when all hole are covered, the lowest note is played and it is a C. (Soprano recorders play 1 octave higher than written, I am told). So, when the 2 lowest fingers are lifted, an E is played.
Now, the key thing that got me going was being familiar with the main theme from Dvorak`s New World Symphony, 1st movement. Do you know that theme? (Commonly called "Goin` Home") It is E-G-G, F-D-E, ETC.
In other words, I tried to play that theme. It is an easy theme. If you have a copy of that symphony, listent to it and try to play that theme.
One other thing I learned early was, don`t over-blow (i.e., don`t blow too hard) on the lower notes - the C`s and D`s or you will "kill" the note.
To get a copy of the fingering of the notes, I`d go to a music store and ask if they have a fingering chart. Make sure you KNOW whether you have a German or a Baroque Recorder, tho"
After gettting that Dvorak theme down fairly well, I palyed around with other familiar tunes. - Greensleeves, Londonderry Air, etc. An easy one was "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca. Don`t be afraid to try over and over. If you read music, go to a used book store and see if you can find some simple books, there.
In a few months, I had a repertoire of about 250 songs, Hymns, Carols, themes, that I could play. One of my favourites that I taught myself was "Begin the Beguine" by Cole Porter - not too difficult. The most difficult piece that I learned was, I think "Frenesi" - I still struggloe with that one.

bah im also trying to learn how to play the recorder for music class. Well i think i will get the hang of it

thanks

thanx! all this is great info to help me learn!!

i still need help!i need to learn how to play a c,e d.plz help me before i get a test on it on wed.thanx.

Descant/soprano recorder (baroque fingering)
Make sure left hand is on top, right hand is below! A, high C, and high D only require your right hand, while low E needs both. Count holes down from the top.

A: thumb hole (back hole) + top 2 holes, covered with index + middle finger of left hand.
high C: thumb hole + 2nd hole down from top, covered with middle finger
high D: just the 2nd hole down from the top, covered with middle minger of left hand

low E: thumb hole + top three holes, covered with index, middle and ring fingers of left hand + 4th and 5th holes covered with index and middle finger of right hand.

Hope this helps!

which songs do you want to play?

well, i am trying to learn to paly that stupid thing i got a d+ on playing down by the station by the teacher gave me another chance and i am trying to larn how to play that song so u should learn 2 and if i learn how to play that song i`ll probablly get a b or a c it is better then a d+ if anyone has the song called down by the station i mean the notes to it for a recorder please e mail me at wnbacheerbaby@aol.com and in the subject write down by the station

WOW down by the station the recorder is like THE easiest instrument EVER!!!!!! and um down by the station wow the easiest song on the easiest instrument... OOOH good luck.. hahaha

i dont get it

when i was younger, i had classes in school, but now i forget EVERYTHING!!!! Can you help me? thanks

for free lessons, fingering charts, and more:http://www.dolmetsch.com/index.htm

ty matina

hey u Joseph shut up i wonder if u can play it. by the way i leranedhow to play the recorder and i got a A so bug off kid thanks :0