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How to Play Hot Cross Buns on the Recorder Download Article Co-authored by wikiHow Staff
Last Updated: August 3, 2025 Approved
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Holding the Recorder
|
Learning the Notes
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Putting It All Together
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Video
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Q&A
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Tips
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Warnings
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 241,585 times. Learn more...
The recorder is a fun woodwind instrument that you can master with some patience and practice. “Hot Cross Buns” is the perfect song for beginners: it only has three notes and you can play it even if you don’t know how to read music.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Holding the Recorder
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1 Hold the recorder with your left hand at the top. This is the “Golden Rule” for holding a recorder, even if you’re right-handed. [1]XResearch source
On the front of the recorder, the top three holes are designated for three fingers from your left hand: the finger above your middle finger (pointer), your middle finger, and the finger below your middle finger (ring).
The bottom four holes are for the four fingers of your right hand (the right thumb is not involved).
The hole in the back is where your left thumb goes. [2]XResearch source
2 Learn proper finger placement. Each of your fingers is assigned a specific hole on the recorder.
For "Hot Cross Buns", you’ll only be using the first three holes and the thumb hole.
Your pointer finger will always be covering the first hole.
Your thumb will always be covering the back.
Your middle finger is assigned to the second hole.
Your ring finger is assigned to the third.
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3 Practice blowing a clean note into the mouthpiece. Place your lips on the beak (the very tip of the mouthpiece) and make sure you don’t have it so far in your mouth that your teeth are touching it.
Blow gently into the recorder, using your tongue to help start and end the note.
Your tongue should move the same way it does when you say “do.” [3]XResearch source
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Learning the Notes
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1 Find the sheet music for "Hot Cross Buns". If you don’t know how to read music, no big deal! The song only uses three simple notes: B, A, and G, so it’s easy to learn without having to teach yourself to read music.
"Hot Cross Buns" is divided into four measures (also called bars), which are sections that help you keep track of where you are in the song.
The first, second, and fourth measures are all identical and play as B A G. The third measure looks like GGGG AAAA. [4]XResearch source
2 Play the B note. With your pointer finger covering the first hole and your thumb covering the back, simply blow once into the recorder. This is the B note, which is the first note of the song.
3 Play the A note. With your pointer finger on the first hole and your thumb on the back, cover the second hole with your middle finger. With these three holes covered, blow once into the recorder. This is the second note of the song.
4 Play the G note. With the three holes still covered, go ahead and cover the third hole with your ring finger. With these four holes covered, blow into the recorder once. This is the third note of the song.
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Putting It All Together
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1 Play the first two measures of the song. The first and second measures are identical, so play B A G, rest, B A G, moving your fingers according to the note you’re on.
2 Play the third measure of the song. This looks like GGGG AAAA. Set your fingers up for the G note and then blow four times quickly into the recorder. Then switch to the A note and blow four times quickly. This is the third measure.
3 Play the fourth measure. Again, the fourth measure is the same as the first and second measures, so play the B note once, then the A note once, then the G note once. You’ve now played the fourth measure and completed the song.
4 Practice. Practicing helps you memorize proper finger placement for the notes, which will ensure accuracy and also help you move more quickly.
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Video
Community Q&A
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Question How do I play a lullaby on a recorder? Community Answer Look up sheet music to lullabies, such as "Mary Had A Little Lamb." This is an easy lullaby to start with. As you learn more and more, you can move on to more difficult songs. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 28 Helpful 86
Question What are all the other notes on a recorder? Community Answer The notes are A, B, C, D, E, F and G in high and low. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 49 Helpful 90
Question How do I play a G# on the recorder? Community Answer Put your thumb on the back hole, then your pointer finger on the first top hole, middle finger on the second hole, then your ring finger on the third one, and blow gently. That is a G#. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 38 Helpful 80
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Reader Videos
Tips
Join a group. Some music conservatories and other associations have Recorder and Hand Bell choirs. (Kids who join have a fun experience with music and making new friends.) Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 0
Don’t get discouraged if you mess up or are playing it slow. Any new song or instrument is tough and awkward to learn. Just be patient and trust that it will become more natural with practice. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 4
If you like playing the recorder, you can buy music. Music stores have plenty of songs for recorders. If you really have an ear for music, you can figure out songs from movies or the radio. (Songs from “Pirates of the Caribbean” are some that can easily be figured out with experience and plenty of practice.) Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 3
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Make sure that you’re creating a tight seal when you press your fingers onto the holes. Even the slightest allowance of extra air through them will alter the sound and make you sound off. Thanks Helpful 19 Not Helpful 4
Even if you’re right-handed, it’s important to always have your left hand on the top. The way the bottom holes are created are designed specifically for your right hand. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 7
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Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 241,585 times. 270 votes - 74% Co-authors: 39Updated: August 3, 2025 Views: 241,585 Categories: Woodwind Instruments | Children's MusicArticle SummaryX
If you’re new to playing the recorder, “Hot Cross Buns” is the perfect song to learn since there are only 3 notes. The song uses the notes B, A, and G and is divided into 4 measures. These sections help you keep track of where you are in the song, but even if you can't read music you should have no trouble learning the song. Use your pointer finger to cover the first hole and your thumb to cover the back, then blow once for your B note. Next, keep your fingers in place, but add your middle finger to cover the second hole to play the A note once. Finally, cover the third hole with your ring finger and blow once for the G note. To learn how to hold your recorder properly, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Jaseline J.
Apr 8, 2017
"I like wikiHow, I can play the recorder without going to classes. Well done."
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer 270 votes - 74% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 39Updated: August 3, 2025 Views: 241,585
Jaseline J.
Apr 8, 2017
"I like wikiHow, I can play the recorder without going to classes. Well done."
Riley Freeman
Mar 30, 2022
"I had to learn how to play recorder for 6 grade and it was truly helpful."
Marianne Good
Jul 17, 2018
"It clarified each note when how to hold the fingers on the recorder." Rated this article:
Alysa Hiltion Blalock
May 29, 2017
"It help me by letting me know the notes." Rated this article:
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Oct 6, 2016
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A Beginner's Guide to Bending Notes on a Harmonica 
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Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 241,585 times. 270 votes - 74% Co-authors: 39 Updated: August 3, 2025 Views: 241,585 Categories: Woodwind Instruments | Children's Music Article SummaryX
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1 Hold the recorder with your left hand at the top. This is the “Golden Rule” for holding a recorder, even if you’re right-handed. [1] 
2 Learn proper finger placement. Each of your fingers is assigned a specific hole on the recorder. 
3 Practice blowing a clean note into the mouthpiece. Place your lips on the beak (the very tip of the mouthpiece) and make sure you don’t have it so far in your mouth that your teeth are touching it. 
1 Find the sheet music for "Hot Cross Buns". If you don’t know how to read music, no big deal! The song only uses three simple notes: B, A, and G, so it’s easy to learn without having to teach yourself to read music. 
2 Play the B note. With your pointer finger covering the first hole and your thumb covering the back, simply blow once into the recorder. This is the B note, which is the first note of the song. 
3 Play the A note. With your pointer finger on the first hole and your thumb on the back, cover the second hole with your middle finger. With these three holes covered, blow once into the recorder. This is the second note of the song. 
4 Play the G note. With the three holes still covered, go ahead and cover the third hole with your ring finger. With these four holes covered, blow into the recorder once. This is the third note of the song. Advertisement 
1 Play the first two measures of the song. The first and second measures are identical, so play B A G, rest, B A G, moving your fingers according to the note you’re on. 
2 Play the third measure of the song. This looks like GGGG AAAA. Set your fingers up for the G note and then blow four times quickly into the recorder. Then switch to the A note and blow four times quickly. This is the third measure. 
3 Play the fourth measure. Again, the fourth measure is the same as the first and second measures, so play the B note once, then the A note once, then the G note once. You’ve now played the fourth measure and completed the song. 
4 Practice. Practicing helps you memorize proper finger placement for the notes, which will ensure accuracy and also help you move more quickly. Advertisement 
Community Answer Look up sheet music to lullabies, such as "Mary Had A Little Lamb." This is an easy lullaby to start with. As you learn more and more, you can move on to more difficult songs. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 28 Helpful 86 
Community Answer Put your thumb on the back hole, then your pointer finger on the first top hole, middle finger on the second hole, then your ring finger on the third one, and blow gently. That is a G#. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 38 Helpful 80