Lesson 31: High G and Extended Range

• Play G5 clearly at the top of your C major scale.
• Play upper C clearly at the top of your F major scale.
• Try A5 on its own before Handel’s third bar.
• Try upper D on its own before Handel’s third bar.

The upper register is the recorder showing what it can do.

Start with Lesson 28’s upper F and F-sharp, then add G5; higher notes need a small, precise thumb opening.

Start with Lesson 28’s upper B-flat and B, then add C6; higher notes need a small, precise thumb opening.

High G

High C

Use the G4 front-hole shape; roll the thumb to leave a small opening, then adjust it until G5 speaks clearly.

Use the lower C front-hole shape; roll the thumb to leave a small opening, then adjust it until C6 speaks clearly.

Play: Handel, HWV 367a — Vivace, bars 1–4

Count three half-note beats per bar; bar 3 reaches A5.

Count three half-note beats per bar; bar 3 reaches upper D.

Try three separate high notes with a breath between each; play bar 3 only when all three sound clear.

Source: Kuhnen’s autograph-based edition, CC BY-SA 4.0; down a fourth for soprano.

Now play these

Petzold: Minuet in G — first strain

Its complete first strain reaches G5 (alto C6); review F#5 (alto B5) in Lesson 28.

Danny Boy — first half

Review Lesson 22’s chromatic note; full air after 49.

Handel: HWV 367a — complete Vivace

Later study: return after Lessons 49–50.

When G5 speaks cleanly on demand and you can play the extended C major scale evenly, move on to Lesson 32.

When the upper C on your alto staff speaks cleanly on demand and you can play the extended F major scale evenly, move on to Lesson 32.