Learn to Play Recorder

Lesson 5: F and Low E Review — The C Major Scale

  • Play F4 with the correct forked fingering.
  • Play Bb (on your alto staff) with the correct forked fingering.
  • Play the complete C major scale, both directions, evenly.
  • Play the complete F major scale (alto's home key) on your alto staff, both directions, evenly.

F is the note that lives between two more popular notes.

F completes the natural first octave. On a Baroque-fingering recorder it takes a “forked” shape — the fingers do not stack neatly — which is exactly what gives the recorder its slightly veiled F.

Bb completes the natural first octave on your alto staff. On a Baroque-fingering recorder it takes a “forked” shape (the same fingering soprano calls “F”) — the fingers do not stack neatly, which is exactly what gives the note its slightly veiled colour.

F4

Bb (low)

Thumb, three left fingers (the G shape), then on the right hand: index finger DOWN, middle finger UP, ring and little fingers DOWN. The forked shape: covered-OPEN-covered-covered.

Thumb, three left fingers (the C-on-alto-staff shape), then on the right hand: index finger DOWN, middle finger UP, ring and little fingers DOWN. The forked shape: covered-OPEN-covered-covered.

While you are here, refresh E4 from Lesson 4 and confirm low D4 and C4 still speak cleanly.

While you are here, refresh A from Lesson 4 and confirm low G and F still speak cleanly on your alto staff.

Slow — listen for an even colour as F passes between its neighbours.

Slow — listen for an even colour as Bb (on your alto staff) passes between its neighbours.

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From low C to D5 and back, one breath per direction.

From low F to G (one octave up) on your alto staff and back, one breath per direction.

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Play: Frère Jacques

A canon that sits in the recorder's bottom half — the heart of the new range.

A canon that sits in the recorder's bottom half — the heart of the new range.

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The melody is round-friendly: a second player can start when the first reaches bar 3.

Now play these

Frère Jacques (full version)
All four phrases; try it as a round.
Alouette
A test of low E and D landing cleanly.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Span D4 to C5.
When the Saints Go Marching In
Play it brightly.

When the C major scale is even both directions and you can play Frère Jacques end-to-end, move on to Lesson 6.

When the F major scale (on your alto staff) is even both directions and you can play Frère Jacques end-to-end, move on to Lesson 6.

F refusing to speak? Check that the right middle finger is fully lifted, or see troubleshooting.