Learn to Play Recorder

Lesson 49: Extended Range — G5 and A5

  • Sustain G5 and A5 with a steady tone and centred pitch.
  • Sustain C5 and D5 (on your alto staff — the alto's reading of soprano G5 and A5) with a steady tone and centred pitch.
  • Move between F#5 and the new notes without the tone breaking.

The recorder gets quieter as it climbs. Trying to make it louder is the fastest way to lose it.

Above F#5, G5 and A5 are the next two notes a Baroque player meets. Both depend on a precise thumb half-hole and a slightly cooler, faster air stream. Forcing the air pushes them sharp or cracks them into the harmonic; whispering the air keeps them centred.

On your alto staff the next two notes up are C5 and D5. Both depend on a precise thumb half-hole and a slightly cooler, faster air stream. Forcing the air pushes them sharp or cracks them into the harmonic; whispering the air keeps them centred.

G5

C5 (on your alto staff)

The thumb half-hole is the entire technique — too closed and the note flips to G4; too open and the pitch goes sharp.

The thumb half-hole is the entire technique — too closed and the note flips an octave lower; too open and the pitch goes sharp.

A5

D5 (on your alto staff)

The thinner fingering is unstable until your thumb half-hole is reliable.

The thinner fingering is unstable until your thumb half-hole is reliable.

If the note drifts sharp, ease the air; if it cracks down, close the thumb a hair.

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Even more dependent on a steady thumb — do not let the right hand grip.

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The hardest spot is F#–G — cross-fingering into half-hole — so move fingers and thumb together.

The hardest spot is the first transition — cross-fingering into half-hole — so move fingers and thumb together.

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One breath per direction; do not let the volume fall as the pitch rises.

One breath per direction; do not let the volume fall as the pitch rises.

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Play: a Vivaldi-style passage

Play it three times — slow, moderate, concert tempo. The pitch should stay centred at every speed.

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Now play these

Vivaldi: Concerto in F major, RV 442 (Allegro non molto)
The solo line lives in the new range.
Vivaldi: Concerto in C major, RV 443 (Largo)
Time to settle each high note.
Handel: Sonata in G minor, HWV 360 (Andante)
One chance per phrase to land G5 cleanly.

When G5 and A5 each speak cleanly on the first attempt, three times in a row, and the F#–G–A climb in the second drill is even at quarter = 80, move on to Lesson 50.

When the two new notes on your alto staff each speak cleanly on the first attempt, three times in a row, and the upper climb in the second drill is even at quarter = 80, move on to Lesson 50.

Note cracking back down an octave? Almost always the thumb. See troubleshooting.