How To Play The Soprano Recorder: 12 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of UseHow to Play the Soprano Recorder Explore this Article parts 1 Preparing to Play 2 The Basic Notes 3 More Complicated Notes 4 Finding a Song to Play + Show 1 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Related Articles Author Info

Last Updated: July 3, 2022

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wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 32,651 times.

The soprano recorder has amazing abilities that can form pure notes to amaze your friends. All the same, this instrument may be challenging to play well. This article will help you to move beyond simple tooting into playing lovely music on a much underrated instrument.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 4:

Preparing to Play

1. 1 Buy a recorder. This step may seem simple, but you must chose the correct type. In your music store, there are lots of recorder types. Be sure to buy the one labeled "Soprano" or "Descant". You do not have to buy a very expensive one, since it will not create a better sound as a cheap one. A simple plastic recorder with a cleaning stick is what you want, not a super expensive bamboo soprano!
2. 2 Familiarize yourself with the things that came with your recorder. You should have a recorder bag to keep your recorder; if not, you can find a substitute at home, or even sew one. The store also should provide you with a "plastic stick". That is the cleaning stick, which you put tissue on top of the rounded side and push the stick in to clean your recorder. Keep your stick in your recorder bag. If the store did not supply you with that, use water to clean it by running it through the bottom round hole and blowing from the mouthpiece to dry it. Advertisement

Part 2 Part 2 of 4:

The Basic Notes

1. 1 Learn the basic notes. You will learn the notes B, A, G, F,E, and D in this category. When you play any note, be sure to cover the whole hole or else the note will be different!
2. 2 Start with note B. This one is the most simple note. Simply use your left hand thumb to cover the hole on the back of your recorder and cover the first note in front with your pointer finger. Check for any part of the two holes uncovered, and blow. The note should be high, but not extremely high that it squeaks. If it does, cover the holes again and try again.
3. 3 Learn notes A and G. Drop your middle finger on the next hole and blow. The sound should be a bit lower. For G, let your ring finger fall on the next hole and blow. The sound should decrease to form a lower sound. If it squeaks, don't give up, just try again.
4. 4 Use both hands now. Don't fret, it's not that hard. Put your right thumb behind the recorder and let your left pinky hang off the recorder. Put your pointer finger on the next uncovered hole and blow. If the F is too high, check  all the fingers. After you are done move onto E; just drop a finger and blow. Repeat to play D. Advertisement

Part 3 Part 3 of 4:

More Complicated Notes

1. 1 Learn the High C, High D, High E, and Low C.
2. 2 Learn high C. For high C, put your pointer finger on the second hole, leaving the first uncovered, and place your thumb on the back hole. The sound should be high, but not yet squeaky.
3. 3 Learn high D. High D is played by removing the thumb on the back hole. Use your other hand to keep the recorder from slipping out of your fingers. This sound should be even closer to squeaky.
4. 4 Learn high E. High E is just playing a E, but not blocking the back hole. That sound should be almost the same as a squeaky note, but not yet one. Advertisement

Part 4 Part 4 of 4:

Finding a Song to Play

1. 1 Search on Google Pictures for a song to play. Simply type the name of your favorite song and after that, type "recorder notes".
2. 2 Use YouTube to learn by listening to others play. After you have practiced, you could even play with the video! Advertisement

Community Q&A

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• Question How do I play high F? Community Answer Use the "half thumb technique" (it covers more than half the thumb). On a German recorder, cover the first four holes. On a Baroque recorder, cover holes five and six as well. 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 3 Helpful 12
• Question How can I learn vibrato technique on a recorder? PurpleOreo Community Answer Vibrato is done by moving your jaw up and down quickly as if you were biting notes up an octave. 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 1 Helpful 7
• Question How many notes are there? Kim G Top Answerer The soprano has a range of two octaves and a note, or 17 notes. It is possible for a capable musician to extend this range. 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 3 Helpful 7

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Tips

• Make a tuh-tuh sound when blowing short notes, especially when playing High E. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Use your left hand on top. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make a fuo-fuo sound when playing long notes(make the sound long). Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 32,651 times. 105 votes - 83% Co-authors: 7 Updated: July 3, 2022 Views: 32,651

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Co-authors: 7 Updated: July 3, 2022 Views: 32,651 83% of readers found this article helpful. 105 votes - 83% Click a star to add your vote

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