There are many things to master in order to play the recorder well. Two of the most difficult things for kids to do are:
- blowing
- fingering
So, at the beginning, I try to isolate each skill so the kids can develop "recorder habits." In order for students to learn more difficult songs, some behaviors need to become automatic. (Just think of how many automatic behaviors we have developed in order to drive a car. Those things took so much thought at first, and they are now automatic.)
So, I teach them the "recorder position." So, after practicing these behaviors, all I have to say is "recorder position," and they will automatically do these three things.
"Recorder Position"
- Posture: Students sit forward on their seats and sit up straight with feet flat on the floor.
- Hand Position: Left hand on the top of the recorder, right hand on the bottom.
- Recorder on chin, ready to play.
"Blowing and Tonguing"
Then we practice songs to focus on our blowing and tonguing. We do songs that only have one note so they don't have to worry about fingering. Even later when we do songs with multiple notes, when we learn a new note, we isolate that note and do a song with just that note so we can focus on blowing and tonguing as we get used to the new fingering.
- Start by keeping it simple and focusing on the students: watch, listen and help students. Walk around and troubleshoot one on one.
- Listen in small groups. (You could have other students who aren't playing do the "sh" parts on the even measures.)
You could also add simple Orff instrument accompaniments.
Also, some recorder books have CD accompaniments, which can make playing only one note fun.
"Fingering"
We isolate the fingering by sitting in "Recorder Position" (with the recorder on the chin) and moving our fingers while saying or singing the notes out loud. You could continue "fingering," even while adding Orff accompaniments or listening to an accompaniment CD.
