Lesson 10: Review and First Performance

• Play three contrasting pieces from the absolute-beginner repertoire end-to-end.
• Record one of them and listen back without flinching.

The level is not finished when the lessons are. It is finished when the playing is.

No new note, no new technique. The work is to perform three pieces with a recording running, then listen back calmly, once.

The three pieces

Pick one from each category. Practise each for a week before the final recording session.

A simple folk tune — for tone and breath

Au Clair de la Lune

Slow, sustained. Your tone is the whole performance.

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

Long values, low register. Tests breath support and steadiness.

A rhythmic piece — for tonguing and meter

When the Saints Go Marching In

4/4 march. Tongued, forward, in tempo.

Bingo

Short, repetitive, fun. A test of clean articulation under repetition.

A piece with shape — for dynamics

Amazing Grace

3/4 hymn. Each verse with its own arc of breath.

Ode to Joy

Beethoven's tune. The four phrases ascend in intensity.

Warm-up before recording

The C major scale from Lesson 5 plus a long-tone arch. Make sure the recorder is warm and the moisture is clear.

How to record yourself

A phone propped against a book is enough. Play each piece once, all the way through, without stopping for mistakes. Listen back the next day and note one thing you liked and one thing to work on.

When you have a recording of all three pieces played end-to-end, you have completed the absolute beginner level — move on to Early Beginner.

For more on preparing and listening back, see preparing to perform.