- Practice stepwise melodic motion
- Develop musical phrasing and expression
- Master five-note range with confidence
About This Song
Origin: Traditional American (adapted from French melody)
Difficulty: Beginner
Notes Used: D, E, G, A, B
Time Signature: 4/4
Key: D Major
Fingering Review
Full Song
A classic American folk song with a simple, memorable melody. The song moves mostly by step, making it easy to finger.
Lyrics:
Go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody,
The old gray goose is dead.
Practice Tips
- Stepwise motion: Most notes move by step - practice the smooth transitions
- Repeated phrases: The first two lines are identical - perfect for memorization
- Expression: Despite the sad lyrics, keep a gentle, storytelling quality
- Breath control: Take breaths at the end of each line (every 2 measures)
Practice Exercises
Practice the first line - you'll use it twice!
Practice the descending phrase to low D.
Practice reaching up to the A - the highest note in the song.
Practice the core three-note pattern used throughout.
Put together the first two lines.
Historical Context
Go Tell Aunt Rhody is a traditional American folk song that became popular in the 19th century. The melody is actually adapted from a theme in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's opera "Le Devin du Village" (1752). The song has been used in American schools for generations to teach both music and as a simple story song. Various verses exist beyond the famous first verse about the goose. The simple, mostly stepwise melody makes it an excellent piece for developing smooth finger transitions on the recorder.
Next Steps
Once you can play Go Tell Aunt Rhody confidently, try:
- Adding subtle dynamics - try getting slightly louder as you reach the A in the third line
- Playing it as a duet with a friend or teacher
- Learning "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" which uses the same five notes