Learn to Play Recorder

Lesson 81: Virtuoso Studies, Part 1 — Finger Independence

  • Make quick finger changes without extra notes between them.
  • Keep those changes even in a short Telemann passage.

Move together; listen for a clean change.

Some note changes need several fingers to move together. Play slowly enough to hear any extra note between them, then work on that pair.

The independence drill

Set a slow eighth-note beat; repeat each pair with small finger movements.

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The thumb drill

Check the fingering for each upper note; open only a small thumb gap and move the other fingers that the note needs.

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The daily warm-up

Practise in short sets, resting between them:

  • Repeat one clean pair, then join the whole finger-change drill.
  • Keep each upper note clear in the thumb drill.
  • Try the same change in a short passage; raise speed only while it stays even.

Now play these

Telemann: Duet Sonata TWV 40:101 — complete first part
Choose two bars with a difficult finger change.
Telemann: TWV 41:c2 — complete recorder part
Complete Allegro and Vivace in G minororiginal C minor; isolate difficult finger changes.

When both drills and a two-bar Telemann passage sound even, with no extra notes, move on to Lesson 82.