Learn to Play Recorder

Making your first sound

One clear note is a good beginning.

A clear first note needs gentle, steady air and covered holes. Take a few short tries, with a comfortable breath between them.

Tongue placement

Say too softly: your tongue touches just behind the upper teeth, then releases the air. Keep your lips relaxed around the mouthpiece and your teeth off it.

The first exercise, without the recorder

  1. Take a relaxed breath.
  2. Whisper too, letting the air continue after the tongue releases.
  3. Rest, then repeat three times with the same gentle start.

The first exercise, with the recorder

Cover the back hole with your left thumb and the first front hole with your left index finger; use the soft pads of both.

This fingering plays B on your soprano.

This fingering plays E on your alto.

  1. Whisper too into the recorder and hold the sound for four comfortable counts.
  2. Stop and take an easy breath; shorter notes are fine while you settle in.
  3. Try twice more, listening for the same clear start and even sound.

If the sound squeaks or feels airy

First reseat the thumb and finger pads to seal both holes. Then try again with a little less air, changing one thing at a time. If it still feels blocked or unstable, use the sound troubleshooting guide.

When one note starts clearly and stays even for a few counts, continue to Lesson 0 — a short guided warm-up.