Miss Sarah, you really need to write your own instructional book! You give so much to us, and given your enthusiasm and joy for music and the recorder, it would be positively perfect!!!
I’m a beginner alto recorder player - literally only 7 months of practicing everyday - using the Italian master teacher Aldo Bova “The Alto Recorder: A Comprehensive New Method” 2019. He plays every lesson on TH-cam so one can listen, play, then play with the maestro. A heap of different short pieces as he introduces every new note. Sarah you are an excellent teacher and resource for us beginners. Thank you for all your enthusiasm and help🎼🐬🎼 PS have you heard of or seen Aldo Nova’s books - another is 126 Daily Exercises for alto recorder - too advanced for me🎼🦍🎼
I'm a professional musician - pianist and conductor and I have used the "Sweet Pipes" with my first recorder teacher, after self teaching myself for about 10 years. It's a good book for people who already have the knowledge of Music Theory. I love your videos!
As for second hand sheetmusic, the Library of Congress, for example, has reams and reams of old sheetmusic, in its enormous online collection, and many old melodies and things are quite suitable for recorder students. It's all old and out of copyright. Merely has to be printed out. So it's free and only costs the paper and ink for printing. ;D
@stephanieellison7834 I think the sheet music archive is in the American Memory collection at the Library of Congress. I'd type in words like "waltz", for example, and they would deliver some nice pieces. Duke University has a collection, too. So does the British Library. Good luck with searching for something nice, anyhow! :D
I want to put in a good word for the Trapp Family Recorder method for soprano. I had piano lessons as a boy, and now in my mid-thirties I am trying again at making music. I have found these explanations helpful, its occasional words of encouragement well-times, and the breadth of its example pieces satisfying. Thank you, Sarah for your fantastic videos. They are helping me both to improve my playing and to feel that I'm a part of a community of recorder learners and players.
I'm learning Alto recorder from Hugo Orr's method books. My wife is learning with me. These books move you along gradually, making sure you have the fingering and timing down before moving to a new note. There's sometimes 6 or 8 pages of tunes and exercises before moving to a new note. Lots of exercises, especially with difficult fingerings and transitions. I have the soprano/tenor books too (for the future). The only downside is the use of German Chorales sometimes, which are pretty unmusical to my ears. Excellent books at good prices. 1st alto book goes up to G, second starts at A and goes up to high g.
I used these as well. They have nice do and don’t photos for holding instrument. organized around progressively more difficult fingering intervals. Use multipart rounds as tunes to play together with teacher rather than duets. As mentioned, the tunes are not super catchy.
I'd love to see recommended books for soprano, to include those available in the US (I ordered from Amazon since I live in a rural area and didn't want to spend an entire weekend driving to various music shops).
Once your alto players move out of the beginner range the book 95 Dexterity Exercises and Dances for Recorders in F by G. Rooda is an excellent addition to their library.
I'm learning with a couple different methods but the Sweet Pipes method rocks. I love all the exercises and short pieces it has that builds your skills around each new note. ( I have a background in piano.)
Yep, I've just started self-learning recorder - aged 50 - as a bucket list thing. I didn't learn an instrument when I was shorter. I've got plenty of mountains and lochs where I live, but a distinct lack of music teachers. At the moment, I'm learning from the Red Hot Recorder Tutor (yes, I know). But I'm finding dipping into Enjoy the Recorder very helpful. For some reason, I get quite nervous about the exercises in RHRT ( please feel free to find that funny) but I'll see it through to the end.
I've just finished the 1st Sweet Pipes. My teacher has recommended it for me. I do enjoyed: I had experience with soprano recorder and a flute in childhood, so I'm familiar with the bases, but after 20 years break - it's just bases. I liked the method: - new notes are added one by one. So you just getting use for a new (after soprano) fingering for each note. You don't need to learn them in any special way. Just play and watch notes. - there are some recommendations before a new chapter to put an attention for breath or for tongue or for rythm etc. That's really nice.
Hi Sarah. I am a lifelong clarinet player in the U.S. taking on the recorder and I am looking for advise on a couple of books for someone who reads music but is learning recorder. Being a musician of course I couldn’t just buy one recorder, I bought a soprano, alto, and tenor. All Yamaha based on your video. Really enjoying your videos.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, you are incredible generous and charming. I'm just starting with the alto recorder and I got excited with the Trapp family book but it was out of print, but after your comments I gave "Fun and games with the..." a chance. Thanks again for being such a cheerful guide. Greetings from Chile.
I have a lot of nostalgia for Jean-Claude Veilhan's instructional books. Mostly in French but with English text in some editions. They date from the 1970s and have a lot of examples from the Baroque era. He wrote a 'Methode Rapide de Flute a Bec' for soprano and alto simultaneously, text in French and English. His main method is in three volumes: 'La Flute a Bec - enseignement complete'. Similar material, covers soprano in the first volume but then just alto. Vol 3 has English text and specifically focuses on the Baroque style. The first two volumes in French and Japanese. All are from publisher Alphonse Leduc. I came across these whilst busking in Brussels and Paris in the 1980s and remain very fond of them.
Thank you for your informative videos on the recorder. I did not know of the vast world of recorders instruments. Your world of recorders will reach the masses. Again, thank you for what you do.
Sarah's got so much energy I bought an alto recorder. I'm 55 and bought enjoy the recorder which is great but not so keen on fun and games with alto recorder as most of the music is soprano and alto duets. No good if your learning on your own.
Hi Sarah, I have a copy of 'the sweet pipes recorder series for soprano (book one) A beginning method for group or individual instruction. It has some very simple tunes to use for learning, and I mainly use the techniques corner for scale warm up exercises and also play when the saints go marching in which seems to be the most complex piece in the book. Would recommend it for beginning recorder students.
Very very useful again!!! After a few decades I picked up the descant again, and I'm thinking of the next step: alto. So perhaps a trip to Amsterdam will be good to nose around a bit... And your dutch is amazing!
At the age of 27, I learnt with the John Pitts Recorder from the Beginning books. They are not aimed at adults but I don't care! The adult books were all classical music and really quite dry. I want to play songs about elephants and skateboard rides. Plus, the child books tend to have colour coding with text that has plenty of white space around it and simple diagrams which is good for my dyslexic brain.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience. One of my favourite series is the Windsongs series by Birthe Kulich and Joe Bernarducci, Empire Music Co Ltd., Vancouver, B.C.. These are for children, but books 4-6 are very good for adults. For people like me who have difficulty with counting and rhythm, try books 1-3, counting is broken down into concepts young children can understand. There is music for 1 to 4 players, and sometimes parts for rhythm and tuned percussion. I find that nothing motivates children and adults to practice like playing with others. That's why i like the Trapp Family method, you play duets after you learn 3 notes, but i also prefer the early and folk music in this method. And the Usborne First Book of the Recorder is excellent, too, oriented to children, but some of the duets near the back will challenge intermediate level adult players.
The "Fun and Games" book for "alto recorder" has page after page of sheet music for a soprano recorder. Else, it's fine. The best book (my opinion) for adult, alto, English-speaking beginners is "The Alto Recorder: A Comprehensive New Method" by Aldo Bova. He had a video series on TH-cam that follows his book chapters.
I found the Trapp Family book at the thrift store for a few dollars. (Soprano-tenor)What a strike of luck! I came from the flute to recorder, and really benefited from this recorder book . My son has said he would like to learn tenor and he will of course be using it over the standard beginners Yamaha band book .
I'm glad I found this video. I was taught the soprano recorder when I was younger & wanted to reteach myself last year (I did also learn to play the violin for 4 years but I don't want to pick that back up yet). But I've been looking at a lot of different recorder videos. An I love the Alto recorder, it has a more richer sound to me. So I do plan on getting one of these books & a Alto recorder this year when I get some money. Again, thank you for the suggestions.
What a great collection of methods. I haven’t heard the name Geisbert for years. I am sure I learned Soprano recorder, from instruments and a Giesbert book that relatives sent me from England. I remember a lot of Hotteterre. I loved that book. Could already play piano and read music, so just the new instrument was the challenge.
I have been enjoying your videos, Sarah. I have no idea what I am doing other than joining a group of three other beginning recorder players. We do not plan to ever perform for others. We just want to enjoy getting together and playing. The other three have Yamaha alto, tenor, and soprano recorders, so I bought a Yamaha bass recorder. My first recorder is a bass recorder which is pretty funny: Start big! I need a really easy beginning book for bass recorders. The group has some music, but I don't have the details on it yet. One of the books is the von Trapp book, but that was too difficult for everyone. Our ages are between 50 and 70. I know I'll run into problems, as I have Dupuytren's Contracture, so my fingers will "freeze" from time to time. However, it won't matter to the group.
Hi Jan, good luck with your group! Enjoying the music is the main thing.There's a great book called 'Tudor consort book' that starts very easy but presents the pieces in progressively harder formats, also with a bass recorder part. I really recommend it! www.rondopublishing.co.uk/product/my-first-tudor-consort-book-%E2%80%93-recorders/
Giorgo De Groof , Engels is haar moedertaal. Sy het in Amsterdam gestudeer en toe daar Nederlands geleer. Sy het dit op 1 van haar videos vertel. (Ek is Afrikaans. Klink baie soos Nederlands.)
Thank you so much Sarah, this is a wealth of information. You are the best! What an amazing store! In reference to your question re other videos it would be great if you could do a video on proper tenor recorder technique. It's a beautiful instrument but it's less comfortable to hold and play for an extended time. What is your point of view concerning straight neck versus bent neck tenor recorders? Is there any difference between the two other than feel and appearance? Concerning adult recorder methods, I am familiar with both the Hugh Orr and the Sweet Pipes (level 1 and 2). I find the Hugh Orr books to be a good introduction since the author spends quite some time drilling new concepts and gradually increasing the level of difficulty. The Sweet Pipes books contain lovely pieces of music but are quite different and I find them more suitable as a resource rather than a starting point. The Sweet Pipes book 1 is really easy but there is quite an abrupt jump from that to book 2. Book 2 is drastically more challenging than book 1 without a gradual transition. I would almost make the Hugh Orr books a prerequisite before tackling Sweet Pipes book 2.
I'd just like to support the request for a video on the tenor recorder! And also, what methods might be suitable for adult learners on soprano or tenor recorders?
I have used the books of James Arden, when I started paying again after a long time. They are really good because in every piece of music there are parts you can play, but there always is something difficult in them. On the minus side, the few lines of text look very old fashioned to me, as are some of the older songs. The books contain also a number of musical treasures you will like, most of them baroque era or somewhere around that time. The fifth book looks a bit too much like I need to cover everything I did not cover until now. I also tried Muzikale Vertellingen. It looks nice, but it simply does not give you all material you need to master the instrument and I do not like quite a lot of the music in there. After watching this video I ordered some additional material to improve. It should be delivered this afternoon. Looking forward to that. I agree Broekmans and Van Poppel is heaven if you love to play music. I still have a number of scores bought with them by postal order in a time Internet did not exist for ordinary people (I nw know the Internet is much older than you may think).
Thanks Sarah for the precious educational service you are delivering with your TH-cam tutorials especially for those who approach to the recorder playing for the first time like me. I am a long years experienced musician ( guitar, piano and violin) and I would like to learn recorder to play Baroque music which I am already playing by violin. What book would you recommended to me ? Thanks
At this point, I only buy books that have CDs (or links to recordings online) so I can hear what they are supposed to sound like. Thank you for the detailed explanations, so I know which ones to look for.
Hi Sarah, I stumbled on Giesbert, and I noticed that he supports the "ring finger supporting" also known as "buttress finger" based on early XVIII methods. I tried just for the heck of it.. and,... well... quite surprisingly I think it works pretty well, for supporting the recorder while playing high G, F#, E, . The only note slightly out of tune is the low C, but using the ring finger from low D to G I don't detect any tuning problems with my recorder. No thumbrest needed. Further experimentation...
I know exactly how you felt in that store..!..I spent a small fortune at the Early Music show on 2nd hand books..And I'm only a grade 1 in Soprano and Treble!....Thanks for potentially spending more of our money...;-0))))
I first learned to play the soprano via the Trapp Family books. You do know they were the basis for The Sound of Music, right? :) I'm now learning the alto, and have gone back to them as I found the lesson pacing worked well for me. Your book of favorite melodies arrived yesterday -and my new tenor recorder arrived today! It's definitely recorder week around here!
Dank u wel! I learnt to play Descant - now trying to teach myself Alto so I can play with a local group. There are some great suggestions here that will help me (though potentially not my bank balance!). Thanks again for this video!! Andrew
I used the monkemeyer tutors for descant treble and bass recorder, base and advanced for descant and treble .it is aimed at adults ,goes through each note with different possible fingerings for each,exercises and tunes many of which are folk tunes.it has a lot of duets and excerpts from sonatas. there is an English translation available but you need a teacher with these.They have served me really well!
MONKEKEYER! I knew there was one I forgot!! I brought his books with me and totally meant to include them, but there were just so many.. I like them a lot too! Though at least I did include them in my 'My favourite books' video :)
@@Team_Recorder I learned tenor viol largely from Mönkemeyer's method (with a teacher) back when very little else was available. He wrote so many method books for early instuments in the mid-20 century and edited so much music, both before and after the war.
Wonderful videos!! Thank you! I picked up Gerald Burakoff 's Playing Recorder vol 1 by Sweet Pipes. Just went on Amazon and made a guess! I think it may be predecessor to the one you mentioned in your video. I am a pianist so I have the musical background, otherwise I would have given up. Wish it had an accompaniment CD like some of the others you reviewed. Haven't found a teacher yet. Thank you for opening up this world to me!
I don't have a copy of the book you purchased ("SP2351 Playing Alto Recorder"), but I did recently purchase Vol. 1 of the "Sweet Pipes Recorder Book" (the first volume of the method that Sarah reviewed here, SP2318). It doesn't appear that the book you have is an earlier edition of my book. If you go to the publisher's website (sweetpipes.com) you'll see that both series of books are still in print. The difference seems to be that the "Sweet Pipes Recorder Book" is longer (and a bit more expensive), having an additional 16 pages of material (48 rather than 32), and is comprehensive enough for self-study by someone with at least a rudimentary understanding of staff notation, whereas the shorter book is intended to be used with a teacher. That's just a guess, though -- without having both of them in front of me, I can't see exactly what the differences are. Based on amazon reviews, it is clear that there's at least some overlap in the pieces included, and the general approach to learning is very similar. There would certainly be no point in owning both books, and anyone learning on their own would almost certainly benefit from the additional material in the SPRB. I'm mostly learning on my own, and so far, I'm finding the Sweet Pipes Recorder Book vol. 1 to be very good. The book begins with a brief but very well-written Introduction describing how to choose a recorder, fingering systems, recorder care, and an overview of basic playing technique (correct hand position, with illustrations; breath control, articulation), followed by a 1-page "History of the Recorder" (also very well written, with useful references). This is followed by 12 Units of instructional material, each introducing a new note. In these, the book follows a very logical progression of learning the Alto recorder note by note, starting with C->D->E->F, etc. with each lesson including the specific fingering chart for the new note, some technical exercises (if necessary), followed increasingly by several short pieces which integrate the new note with all other material learned previously. Increasingly complex rests, rhythms and time signatures are also gradually introduced, though there is (unfortunately) no detailed explanation of rhythm. Within each lesson there are useful clarifications and suggestions for improved technique printed between the lines, suggesting things to focus on during the lesson. The music consists mostly of short but attractive solo pieces of 2-4 lines drawn from Early Music repertoire, along with a few folk tunes. After the 12 Units (and 12 notes) have been learned, the final 8 pages of the book contain pieces arranged for duos or trios of recorders, with each melodic line indicating the earliest Unit# that covers all the notes used within that part. Within each piece, each part will have a different level of difficulty, so you can play the piece with a teacher etc. who plays the harder part(s) until you develop the necessary skills. The book ends with a fingering chart. Overall, I find the book to be very well written and organized, with a very logical progression for learning new skills, and plenty of attractive melodies that should appeal to adults interested in renaissance and baroque repertoire. More attention to rhythm, and a supplemental CD with both accompaniment and performance tracks would be useful improvements. Note however, that this method is clearly intended for adult learners who already know some music, since staff notation is not explained.
Miss Sarah, I have an ebook written by Aldo Bova The Alto Recorder A Comprehensive Method. Are you familiar with it? I can read music so I’m okay with rhythm (generally). I’m a returning student of the recorder so what book would work for me? I know that’s probably a broad question to ask. Thanks
How has it gone with that book? I'm considering buying it as I need an ebook recorder method, and that one seems accessible enough, but I can't find any reviews about it. The author also has videos on his book here on TH-cam, so I think that is a plus, but I wanna hear from someone who's used it. Thank you!
Apologies if I shouldn't say this here, but I've finished with my AltblockflötenReise books and have put the complete set on ebay (uk) - might be useful for anyone trying to get hold of them as you can't readily buy them here.
That's fantastic - thanks so much, Sarah! Might be worth noting that Brian Bonsor also does a series of books called 'From Descant to Treble', which are good.
There's a two part method for alto/bass/sopranino; soprano/tenor and by Mario Duschenes BMI Canadian Publication but it's ancient! Been using it to tutor myself. Harry
I learned from part two of Duschenes after starting with the older (unrevised) Trapp Family Book. I thought it was a very good book. Duschenes was apparantly quite a figure on the Canadian music education and concert scene, based in Montreal.
By 'ancient ' I didn't mean to imply that it wasn't good. With due apologies to Mr. Duschenes. His exercises on sections of the Händel Sonatas are both imaginative and effective. I guess newer publications cover more ground.
Some more recent books (as you could tell from Sarah's comments in the vido) cover matters of technique (breathing, tonguing, relaxed and efficient fingering, etc.) in greater detail; some do not. Sorry for any confusion stemming from the way I wrote! The things I best remember from the Duschenes books are the complete parts for Brandenburg 2 and the first recorder in Brandenburg 4, and also the exercise of playing "Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow" in all keys. Also it's not THAT ancient. A few of the books that are on Sarah's list or have meen mentioned in comments are either older or else at least revised versions of older books that have stayed close to their origins. There are lots of oldies but goodies out there!
@@RolandHutchinson thank you! I'm trying to make the switch from nose-breathing to mouth-breathing which is not covered by the books I'm following; the use of the buttress (RH 3rd ) finger for stability as advocated by Franz Julius Giesbert. Self-tutoring has its pitfalls. Still no where close to attempting the Brandenburgs 2 and 4! Perhaps at 1/2 tempo.
For early music, the Early Music Shop of New England comes close for printed music, and also sells recorders and other instruments. www.vonheune.com On the web and in person by appointment only, there is the Boulder Early Music Shop, bems.com (They actually were in Boulder, Colorado two owners ago!)
Of course, Holland must be a great place for the periods (include the present) during which recorder music is/was written and played. At the moment, there is a Dutch recorder maker and player, Adriana Breukink, who makes the most spectacular recorders.
..Since you asked..I took lessons,but I went along and bought some 'Fun Club' books.Series of 3 or 4..?.They look like geared for kids..But as an adult;i took to learning from them on my own..They are fun tunes and the backing tracks is of pretty good quality!...I felt learning the tunes really got me off the ground as it were.pre-grade 1 and just post...Might be good up to G.2 ...?
Hi Sarah, I recently stumbled across this. I'm new and basically a biginner to a Recorder and watching a few of your videos I was incredibly enthusiastic with wanting to learn. You are very knowledgeable and uplifting to listen to as well... A lot of what you mentioned is very important and great information. Unfortunately, I do not own a decent Recorder as of yet so would like some advice on what to get. I own 2 bamboo wood flutes very similar looking but different..lol and has only 6 finger holes that I bought from some old carnival guy at a local Fair about 20 years ago. I just recently started playing them both. They have a great sound and tone now that they have aged.. I picked up really fast just from within 6 months of playing along to some blues, jazz fusion, funk and a lot of James Brown..hehe... After practicing and playing repetition over and over, I enveloped some great technique and understanding of the melodies that what can come next and what I am playing made sense, sounds impressive, almost like It was meant for the song...hehe..And I don't have a clue as to what I am even doing either.. I'm just having lots of fun with them, going by ear and feeling it out but I do need to go much further in order to improve my skills and techniques.. .just watching one of your videos and listening to you play sure told me so...hehehe. It makes me happy when it comes natural and like it was meant to be for me to play. I do enjoy playing and play everyday now. I would like to learn classical and know theory as well. I will be getting some books you recommended on here and a good Recorder to start. Thank you so much for your informative video Sarah Jeffery.. I cannot wait to check out more of your others and look forward to hearing you play again!
Hi Sarah, Your videos are fantastic. I am 54 years old, and English is not my first language! Playing music is one of my ambitions from my childhood, but I never ever had a chance to start, for many reasons. Now, my daughter bought a flute recorder for me! I strongly have made a decision to learn from your videos. Also, I intent to buy the book that you introduced it: Enjoy The recorder, by Brain Bonsor. Thank you for all your videos. Is it possible to put the numbers for videos that you had already thought of? Many thanks again.
Hi, Sarah. Thank you very much for all your videos. A few months ago i bought a Yamaha alto recorder (i really love the sound) and i want to buy a method to learn. Watching your video i have two options: “Fun and games..” and “The Trapp Family…”. I can read basic music and i have played guitar for years (always tablature, not music notation). Wich of these two methods do you think can be better? I have thought that “Fun and Games” can be more modern, but “The Trapp Family” looks very clear. I don’t know wich can be better. Thank you again for all your help! (Sorry for my english)
Very helpful video! One question: can I use the alto books for the bass recorder (they're both in F so I think the fingering is similar)? Or will you post some video about bass exercise books? Thank you for the help!
You can use alto books for bass recorder, but they’ll be in treble clef, and often we read bass recorder in bass clef. I did a whole video called ‘Getting started on bass recorder’ with a bunch of book recommendations, so check it out!
I've already seen the video ;) I'll try to buy some alto book, it's not a problem to play in another clef (I'm a professional singer, I can read different clef :D ) Thank you a lot for your answer!
I have been working through the Orr book (vol 1) which I picked up from the public library. He does include a lot of photos and pictures f how to hold the recorder and how your fingers should be. Interestingly, he advocates for a thumb rest, which I have not seen mentioned on any of Sarah's videos, and somehow I hate the idea of sticking something onto one's instrument. I think that holding the recorder correctly, it is balanced on the thumb. Has anyone else heard of using a thumb rest?
good stuff , but broekmans website is not in English(why should it be?) so tricky for me to order.I have dusted off the olde tube, and got rid of the spiders ...you are very inspiring !
There's a little icon of the UK flag that you can click on to get the English version. Other recommended (and anglophone if not monoglot) sources include bems.com and vonhuene.com in the USA and earlymusicshop.com in the UK.
Hi Sarah, any chance of doing a best recorder books for children (and adults who want something easy to start with) video? I like the Progressive learning method for young beginners books. They have got me started on Keyboard, Piano and Guitar (I am 50) and my partner has just ordered Progressive recorder method for young beginners book 1. It would be great if you could do a video for best childrens recorder books.
Hi Sarah! Could you do a video on how to stop those little annoying mini squeaks at a start of a tongued high note? I've been trying to improve my tone and everytime I tongue a c sharp in the second register on the alto I always always get that annoying mini squeak! Thanks!
im very interested in self-learning the treble recorder and its quite hard to gather information in this area out there so thanks sarah! im a flute player and just wondering if this will make my self-learning easier
I received a Yamaha Alto recorder (yra 312B III) for Christmas, awesome! Now I am looking for a good book to learn from, as I am new to instrument playing. I have only sang in the church quire. I do not know how to read music. Which book would you suggest for the Alto newbie. I just barley learned B A G on my sons toy recorder from school.
I'm new to your channel 😊 I'm from the USA, and I'm learning the soprano recorder so I can teach my two young sons. I played the flute when I was younger, and I also sang in choir while I was in college, so I'm ok at reading music. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thank you! I'm going to check and see if you made a video for soprano books for adults! Love your channel, thanks! 💕
Love your vids! I started with von traps 1...however I feel Sweet Pipes is a quicker learn for older learners. Right now my right arm is in a sling after a dislocated shoulder and can only play my alt.recorder...short periods of time.
Hello Sarah, I’m Elvira and I’m a professional flutist. At the moment I am learning to play the flute recorder by myself more seriously, but I have some doubts about that. -The first thing is about trills. For flute there are tables where you can find the positions for playing the different trills with all the combinations. Is there such a thing for recorder? If so, where can I get it? -The second thing is about books: Technique, studies for beginners, beautiful pieces… I have watched all your videos in your channel about this topic, but most of them are for alto flute recorder or very advanced studies for soprano recorder for my level. Could you give me a recommendation of studies for soprano recorder, please? -The last question is about the flutes: is it more common to play with alto flute recorder than soprano recorder? I have small hands and I can’t cover the holes correctly. What do you recommend me: to follow only with the soprano flute recorder or to try to combine both? Thank you very much for your time and congratulations for your channel!! Best wishes😊
It’s more common to learn the soprano, but the call for professional recorders are mostly alto, probably why she concentrates on that the most. They have adaptable recorders in all sizes, I believe Yamaha makes a decent quality plastic version where you can turn the holes so it can fit your hand appropriately. As to everything else, I’m not sure. I’m still very much a beginner.
Sarah, thanks for your videos. From watching your videos I purchased a Yamaha 312 Alto recorder. I watched your video on instruction books and am having trouble locating the Enjoy the Recorder by Bonsor. I have ordered two books and returned them as they were for a soprano can you tell me the isbn number for that book in your video? I play the c flute and acoustic guitar, I am looking for a good book for me to learn the Alto recorder. Lori George, Michigan USA
Wow! There's so much more adult recorder teaching methods out there than I expected. I've got a friend considering starting up, so I recommended your really helpful video. I was interested to see improvisation being covered. I'm a self-taught beginner at improvising. Are there any good books on that? Any chance of you doing a video about it?
+Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder So many options. I do a mixture of rock/blues/folk style depending on what I'm doing (check out the alt / heavy metal covers on www.SoundCloud.com/little-league-rebellion for details). I'm interested in how players develop their improvisation 'vocabulary' if that makes sense, and I suppose the principles for that would be the same whether your improvising in a baroque style, jazz, or rock. Are there good books on principals of improvisation, or should we try to learn good solos (e.g. by Jimi Hendrix :-)) in order to immerse ourselves in a chosen style that we then try to apply as improvisation? I imagine a bit of both is required, but I don't know where to start other than throwing myself into jam sessions and seeing what happens!
Thank you so much for this! I appreciate all the detail you go into. I just bought my first alto recorder, transferring from flute, and I have a question-- when looking for sheet music, can I use music written for flute and/or other instruments? Will it sound weird (would I need to transpose such music?) Thanks!!
Hi Kristen! When moving from flute to alto recorder you woud need to transpose the music, as an alto is 4 notes higher... so the F is all holes closed. Of course, it's no problem to just play without transposing if you're playing alone - but if other people get involved you'd need to be in the same key! :) Good luck!
Well most early flute music should be interchangeable with recorder, as, to my knowledge, the two instruments were at that time similarly limited and thusly used interchangeably. But regardless, you can play any single line of music on alto recorder as long as it doesn't go below F4 or above G6. Keeping in mind of course that flute has a much more similar timbre to recorder than say, cello XD. So if you want it to sound like the original, stick to instruments that sound like recorder. :)
awesome! I'd be happy to have a lots of good books around here, unfortunately not. I hope in the future to get some of those books you just showed us. Besides would be fantastic to learn some words in German.Thank you Sarah!
I have a few books. I’m just frustrated with the music selection - I can’t tell if I’m playing the piece right if I have no idea what the piece is SUPPOSED to sound like! I’ve been on a classical music kick this week. Minuet and Ode to Joy mostly. Btw, Minuet in G major on kalimba is so much easier than on recorder! The high F# is hard to remember. My regular range goes up to high D, E even. High F# is ridiculous. It’s hard to find simple pieces with a C to high E range.
Dear Sarah, thank you so much! your videos are very joyful and nice to watch! You motivated me to get in touch with an alto recorder. As an adult mostly self-taught beginner, which one of the books you are talking about is most suited in my condition? I was thinking about the Altblockflöten Reisen.... Is that correct? ps: I am a classically trained musician. Byeeeee :-)
Hi Debby, yes I love the Altblockflötenreise! Good quality music, a lot of a variety, and if you are already trained as a musician it's perfect as it doesn't spend lots of time on theory. Book 1 builds up the alto fingerings steadily, and by book three it's pretty complex stuff - Bach, baroque concertos, world music in different irregular time signatures, pop, classical... something of everything!
Thank you so much for this video! ^_^ I am learning the alto right now, mostly with James Arden (which someone gave me) and was looking for a book with a nice play-a-long in the style of Blokfluitkoffer (which I used for soprano). Will order AltblockflötenReise right away!
Miss Sarah, you really need to write your own instructional book! You give so much to us, and given your enthusiasm and joy for music and the recorder, it would be positively perfect!!!
I’m a beginner alto recorder player - literally only 7 months of practicing everyday - using the Italian master teacher Aldo Bova “The Alto Recorder: A Comprehensive New Method” 2019. He plays every lesson on TH-cam so one can listen, play, then play with the maestro. A heap of different short pieces as he introduces every new note. Sarah you are an excellent teacher and resource for us beginners. Thank you for all your enthusiasm and help🎼🐬🎼 PS have you heard of or seen Aldo Nova’s books - another is 126 Daily Exercises for alto recorder - too advanced for me🎼🦍🎼
Oh my God , this music store is heaven !!! If I ever go to Holland it will be my first goal!
I couldn't believe the SIZE of it!
I'm a professional musician - pianist and conductor and I have used the "Sweet Pipes" with my first recorder teacher, after self teaching myself for about 10 years. It's a good book for people who already have the knowledge of Music Theory.
I love your videos!
As for second hand sheetmusic, the Library of Congress, for example, has reams and reams of old sheetmusic, in its enormous online collection, and many old melodies and things are quite suitable for recorder students. It's all old and out of copyright. Merely has to be printed out. So it's free and only costs the paper and ink for printing. ;D
@stephanieellison7834
I think the sheet music archive is in the American Memory collection at the Library of Congress. I'd type in words like "waltz", for example, and they would deliver some nice pieces. Duke University has a collection, too. So does the British Library. Good luck with searching for something nice, anyhow! :D
I want to put in a good word for the Trapp Family Recorder method for soprano. I had piano lessons as a boy, and now in my mid-thirties I am trying again at making music. I have found these explanations helpful, its occasional words of encouragement well-times, and the breadth of its example pieces satisfying.
Thank you, Sarah for your fantastic videos. They are helping me both to improve my playing and to feel that I'm a part of a community of recorder learners and players.
I'm learning Alto recorder from Hugo Orr's method books. My wife is learning with me. These books move you along gradually, making sure you have the fingering and timing down before moving to a new note. There's sometimes 6 or 8 pages of tunes and exercises before moving to a new note. Lots of exercises, especially with difficult fingerings and transitions. I have the soprano/tenor books too (for the future). The only downside is the use of German Chorales sometimes, which are pretty unmusical to my ears. Excellent books at good prices. 1st alto book goes up to G, second starts at A and goes up to high g.
I used these as well. They have nice do and don’t photos for holding instrument. organized around progressively more difficult fingering intervals. Use multipart rounds as tunes to play together with teacher rather than duets. As mentioned, the tunes are not super catchy.
I'd love to see recommended books for soprano, to include those available in the US (I ordered from Amazon since I live in a rural area and didn't want to spend an entire weekend driving to various music shops).
Once your alto players move out of the beginner range the book 95 Dexterity Exercises and Dances for Recorders in F by G. Rooda is an excellent addition to their library.
I'm learning with a couple different methods but the Sweet Pipes method rocks. I love all the exercises and short pieces it has that builds your skills around each new note. ( I have a background in piano.)
Yep, I've just started self-learning recorder - aged 50 - as a bucket list thing. I didn't learn an instrument when I was shorter. I've got plenty of mountains and lochs where I live, but a distinct lack of music teachers. At the moment, I'm learning from the Red Hot Recorder Tutor (yes, I know). But I'm finding dipping into Enjoy the Recorder very helpful. For some reason, I get quite nervous about the exercises in RHRT ( please feel free to find that funny) but I'll see it through to the end.
Wondering how you are getting on?
I've just finished the 1st Sweet Pipes. My teacher has recommended it for me. I do enjoyed: I had experience with soprano recorder and a flute in childhood, so I'm familiar with the bases, but after 20 years break - it's just bases. I liked the method:
- new notes are added one by one. So you just getting use for a new (after soprano) fingering for each note. You don't need to learn them in any special way. Just play and watch notes.
- there are some recommendations before a new chapter to put an attention for breath or for tongue or for rythm etc. That's really nice.
Hi Sarah. I am a lifelong clarinet player in the U.S. taking on the recorder and I am looking for advise on a couple of books for someone who reads music but is learning recorder. Being a musician of course I couldn’t just buy one recorder, I bought a soprano, alto, and tenor. All Yamaha based on your video. Really enjoying your videos.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, you are incredible generous and charming. I'm just starting with the alto recorder and I got excited with the Trapp family book but it was out of print, but after your comments I gave "Fun and games with the..." a chance. Thanks again for being such a cheerful guide. Greetings from Chile.
I have a lot of nostalgia for Jean-Claude Veilhan's instructional books. Mostly in French but with English text in some editions. They date from the 1970s and have a lot of examples from the Baroque era. He wrote a 'Methode Rapide de Flute a Bec' for soprano and alto simultaneously, text in French and English. His main method is in three volumes: 'La Flute a Bec - enseignement complete'. Similar material, covers soprano in the first volume but then just alto. Vol 3 has English text and specifically focuses on the Baroque style. The first two volumes in French and Japanese. All are from publisher Alphonse Leduc.
I came across these whilst busking in Brussels and Paris in the 1980s and remain very fond of them.
Hi Sarah!!! I live in the Atlanta area (Georgia, USA). I just want to tell you how delightful I think you are and I really enjoy your videos.
Thank you! 😊
I'm using the Hintermeier, and as you said it's great for learning Baroque style. Thanks for reminding me what a great store Broekmans is!
Thank you for your informative videos on the recorder. I did not know of the vast world of recorders instruments. Your world of recorders will reach the masses. Again, thank you for what you do.
Many thanks, Sarah, for helping me pick Altblockflötenschule. It is the perfect book for me send I have now bought the whole series.
❤️❤️❤️
Sarah's got so much energy I bought an alto recorder. I'm 55 and bought enjoy the recorder which is great but not so keen on fun and games with alto recorder as most of the music is soprano and alto duets. No good if your learning on your own.
Hi Sarah,
I have a copy of 'the sweet pipes recorder series for soprano (book one) A beginning method for group or individual instruction. It has some very simple tunes to use for learning, and I mainly use the techniques corner for scale warm up exercises and also play when the saints go marching in which seems to be the most complex piece in the book. Would recommend it for beginning recorder students.
Very very useful again!!! After a few decades I picked up the descant again, and I'm thinking of the next step: alto. So perhaps a trip to Amsterdam will be good to nose around a bit... And your dutch is amazing!
At the age of 27, I learnt with the John Pitts Recorder from the Beginning books. They are not aimed at adults but I don't care! The adult books were all classical music and really quite dry. I want to play songs about elephants and skateboard rides. Plus, the child books tend to have colour coding with text that has plenty of white space around it and simple diagrams which is good for my dyslexic brain.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience. One of my favourite series is the Windsongs series by Birthe Kulich and Joe Bernarducci, Empire Music Co Ltd., Vancouver, B.C.. These are for children, but books 4-6 are very good for adults. For people like me who have difficulty with counting and rhythm, try books 1-3, counting is broken down into concepts young children can understand. There is music for 1 to 4 players, and sometimes parts for rhythm and tuned percussion. I find that nothing motivates children and adults to practice like playing with others. That's why i like the Trapp Family method, you play duets after you learn 3 notes, but i also prefer the early and folk music in this method. And the Usborne First Book of the Recorder is excellent, too, oriented to children, but some of the duets near the back will challenge intermediate level adult players.
I just ordered Fun and Games with the Alto Recorder. Should be interesting! Can't wait for it to arrive!
What an incredible music store! Lots of US stores have given up keeping much music on hand.
The "Fun and Games" book for "alto recorder" has page after page of sheet music for a soprano recorder. Else, it's fine. The best book (my opinion) for adult, alto, English-speaking beginners is "The Alto Recorder: A Comprehensive New Method" by Aldo Bova. He had a video series on TH-cam that follows his book chapters.
I found the Trapp Family book at the thrift store for a few dollars. (Soprano-tenor)What a strike of luck! I came from the flute to recorder, and really benefited from this recorder book . My son has said he would like to learn tenor and he will of course be using it over the standard beginners Yamaha band book .
I'm glad I found this video. I was taught the soprano recorder when I was younger & wanted to reteach myself last year (I did also learn to play the violin for 4 years but I don't want to pick that back up yet). But I've been looking at a lot of different recorder videos. An I love the Alto recorder, it has a more richer sound to me. So I do plan on getting one of these books & a Alto recorder this year when I get some money. Again, thank you for the suggestions.
What a great collection of methods. I haven’t heard the name Geisbert for years. I am sure I learned Soprano recorder, from instruments and a Giesbert book that relatives sent me from England. I remember a lot of Hotteterre. I loved that book. Could already play piano and read music, so just the new instrument was the challenge.
I have been enjoying your videos, Sarah. I have no idea what I am doing other than joining a group of three other beginning recorder players. We do not plan to ever perform for others. We just want to enjoy getting together and playing. The other three have Yamaha alto, tenor, and soprano recorders, so I bought a Yamaha bass recorder. My first recorder is a bass recorder which is pretty funny: Start big! I need a really easy beginning book for bass recorders. The group has some music, but I don't have the details on it yet. One of the books is the von Trapp book, but that was too difficult for everyone. Our ages are between 50 and 70. I know I'll run into problems, as I have Dupuytren's Contracture, so my fingers will "freeze" from time to time. However, it won't matter to the group.
Hi Jan, good luck with your group! Enjoying the music is the main thing.There's a great book called 'Tudor consort book' that starts very easy but presents the pieces in progressively harder formats, also with a bass recorder part. I really recommend it! www.rondopublishing.co.uk/product/my-first-tudor-consort-book-%E2%80%93-recorders/
Cool! Thanks!
www.rondopublishing.co.uk/product-category/recorders/
Second hand books are wonderful. I have found some wonderful material in them over the years.
Sarah, I just love ur lessons, I'm learning to play tenor recorder. Can u recommend books written for tenor recorder
Oh, dus jij spreekt Nederlands! :-) Ik heb al een heleboel video's van je bekeken en nooit gedacht dat Engels niet je moedertaal was!
Giorgo De Groof , Engels is haar moedertaal. Sy het in Amsterdam gestudeer en toe daar Nederlands geleer. Sy het dit op 1 van haar videos vertel. (Ek is Afrikaans. Klink baie soos Nederlands.)
klopt :)
Sarah, perhaps interesting. James Arden was actually Theo Ettema, a music pedagogue who wrote under various aliasses for all kind of instruments.
That is really interesting - I had no idea! Thanks for the info :)
Thank you so much Sarah, this is a wealth of information. You are the best! What an amazing store! In reference to your question re other videos it would be great if you could do a video on proper tenor recorder technique. It's a beautiful instrument but it's less comfortable to hold and play for an extended time. What is your point of view concerning straight neck versus bent neck tenor recorders? Is there any difference between the two other than feel and appearance?
Concerning adult recorder methods, I am familiar with both the Hugh Orr and the Sweet Pipes (level 1 and 2). I find the Hugh Orr books to be a good introduction since the author spends quite some time drilling new concepts and gradually increasing the level of difficulty. The Sweet Pipes books contain lovely pieces of music but are quite different and I find them more suitable as a resource rather than a starting point. The Sweet Pipes book 1 is really easy but there is quite an abrupt jump from that to book 2. Book 2 is drastically more challenging than book 1 without a gradual transition. I would almost make the Hugh Orr books a prerequisite before tackling Sweet Pipes book 2.
I'd just like to support the request for a video on the tenor recorder! And also, what methods might be suitable for adult learners on soprano or tenor recorders?
Hi Sharah compliments on your Engelish. Its for shure better than mine. I love it when you throw in some dutch. Gives a nice contrast. :)
Yes, please make a similar video for the soprano! Good that there are so many in German ;)
I have used the books of James Arden, when I started paying again after a long time. They are really good because in every piece of music there are parts you can play, but there always is something difficult in them. On the minus side, the few lines of text look very old fashioned to me, as are some of the older songs. The books contain also a number of musical treasures you will like, most of them baroque era or somewhere around that time. The fifth book looks a bit too much like I need to cover everything I did not cover until now.
I also tried Muzikale Vertellingen. It looks nice, but it simply does not give you all material you need to master the instrument and I do not like quite a lot of the music in there. After watching this video I ordered some additional material to improve. It should be delivered this afternoon. Looking forward to that.
I agree Broekmans and Van Poppel is heaven if you love to play music. I still have a number of scores bought with them by postal order in a time Internet did not exist for ordinary people (I nw know the Internet is much older than you may think).
Thanks Sarah for the precious educational service you are delivering with your TH-cam tutorials especially for those who approach to the recorder playing for the first time like me. I am a long years experienced musician ( guitar, piano and violin) and I would like to learn recorder to play Baroque music which I am already playing by violin. What book would you recommended to me ? Thanks
The Schott Baroque anthology series are very good for this!
@@Team_Recorder Thank you very much. I've got it. I, bought it to play Baroque music by violin. Have nice days.
At this point, I only buy books that have CDs (or links to recordings online) so I can hear what they are supposed to sound like. Thank you for the detailed explanations, so I know which ones to look for.
Hi Sarah, I stumbled on Giesbert, and I noticed that he supports the "ring finger supporting" also known as "buttress finger" based on early XVIII methods.
I tried just for the heck of it.. and,... well... quite surprisingly I think it works pretty well, for supporting the recorder while playing high G, F#, E, . The only note slightly out of tune is the low C, but using the ring finger from low D to G I don't detect any tuning problems with my recorder. No thumbrest needed.
Further experimentation...
I know exactly how you felt in that store..!..I spent a small fortune at the Early Music show on 2nd hand books..And I'm only a grade 1 in Soprano and Treble!....Thanks for potentially spending more of our money...;-0))))
I first learned to play the soprano via the Trapp Family books. You do know they were the basis for The Sound of Music, right? :) I'm now learning the alto, and have gone back to them as I found the lesson pacing worked well for me. Your book of favorite melodies arrived yesterday -and my new tenor recorder arrived today! It's definitely recorder week around here!
Dank u wel! I learnt to play Descant - now trying to teach myself Alto so I can play with a local group. There are some great suggestions here that will help me (though potentially not my bank balance!). Thanks again for this video!! Andrew
id like to know of soprano books!
A lot of people are asking... so there in one in the planning ;)
Just about to buy the Ttapp family method right now! 😅 Thanks for recommending!
I did the whole series of Blokfluitfeest with my daughter, great methode!!
I used the monkemeyer tutors for descant treble and bass recorder, base and advanced for descant and treble .it is aimed at adults ,goes through each note with different possible fingerings for each,exercises and tunes many of which are folk tunes.it has a lot of duets and excerpts from sonatas. there is an English translation available but you need a teacher with these.They have served me really well!
MONKEKEYER! I knew there was one I forgot!! I brought his books with me and totally meant to include them, but there were just so many.. I like them a lot too! Though at least I did include them in my 'My favourite books' video :)
@@Team_Recorder I learned tenor viol largely from Mönkemeyer's method (with a teacher) back when very little else was available. He wrote so many method books for early instuments in the mid-20 century and edited so much music, both before and after the war.
Wonderful videos!! Thank you! I picked up Gerald Burakoff 's Playing Recorder vol 1 by Sweet Pipes. Just went on Amazon and made a guess! I think it may be predecessor to the one you mentioned in your video. I am a pianist so I have the musical background, otherwise I would have given up. Wish it had an accompaniment CD like some of the others you reviewed. Haven't found a teacher yet. Thank you for opening up this world to me!
+Valerie Ritter ahh, welcome!
I don't have a copy of the book you purchased ("SP2351 Playing Alto Recorder"), but I did recently purchase Vol. 1 of the "Sweet Pipes Recorder Book" (the first volume of the method that Sarah reviewed here, SP2318). It doesn't appear that the book you have is an earlier edition of my book. If you go to the publisher's website (sweetpipes.com) you'll see that both series of books are still in print. The difference seems to be that the "Sweet Pipes Recorder Book" is longer (and a bit more expensive), having an additional 16 pages of material (48 rather than 32), and is comprehensive enough for self-study by someone with at least a rudimentary understanding of staff notation, whereas the shorter book is intended to be used with a teacher. That's just a guess, though -- without having both of them in front of me, I can't see exactly what the differences are.
Based on amazon reviews, it is clear that there's at least some overlap in the pieces included, and the general approach to learning is very similar. There would certainly be no point in owning both books, and anyone learning on their own would almost certainly benefit from the additional material in the SPRB.
I'm mostly learning on my own, and so far, I'm finding the Sweet Pipes Recorder Book vol. 1 to be very good. The book begins with a brief but very well-written Introduction describing how to choose a recorder, fingering systems, recorder care, and an overview of basic playing technique (correct hand position, with illustrations; breath control, articulation), followed by a 1-page "History of the Recorder" (also very well written, with useful references). This is followed by 12 Units of instructional material, each introducing a new note. In these, the book follows a very logical progression of learning the Alto recorder note by note, starting with C->D->E->F, etc. with each lesson including the specific fingering chart for the new note, some technical exercises (if necessary), followed increasingly by several short pieces which integrate the new note with all other material learned previously. Increasingly complex rests, rhythms and time signatures are also gradually introduced, though there is (unfortunately) no detailed explanation of rhythm. Within each lesson there are useful clarifications and suggestions for improved technique printed between the lines, suggesting things to focus on during the lesson. The music consists mostly of short but attractive solo pieces of 2-4 lines drawn from Early Music repertoire, along with a few folk tunes. After the 12 Units (and 12 notes) have been learned, the final 8 pages of the book contain pieces arranged for duos or trios of recorders, with each melodic line indicating the earliest Unit# that covers all the notes used within that part. Within each piece, each part will have a different level of difficulty, so you can play the piece with a teacher etc. who plays the harder part(s) until you develop the necessary skills. The book ends with a fingering chart.
Overall, I find the book to be very well written and organized, with a very logical progression for learning new skills, and plenty of attractive melodies that should appeal to adults interested in renaissance and baroque repertoire. More attention to rhythm, and a supplemental CD with both accompaniment and performance tracks would be useful improvements. Note however, that this method is clearly intended for adult learners who already know some music, since staff notation is not explained.
@@andreafalconiero9089 Thank you for your detailed information about this book.
@@candaceallen139 You're welcome! I'm glad you found the information helpful.
I used a Sweet Pipes and a Trapp Family beginner's book. They were good. I'd like to use more advanced material with these methods.
Miss Sarah, I have an ebook written by Aldo Bova The Alto Recorder A Comprehensive Method. Are you familiar with it? I can read music so I’m okay with rhythm (generally). I’m a returning student of the recorder so what book would work for me? I know that’s probably a broad question to ask. Thanks
How has it gone with that book? I'm considering buying it as I need an ebook recorder method, and that one seems accessible enough, but I can't find any reviews about it. The author also has videos on his book here on TH-cam, so I think that is a plus, but I wanna hear from someone who's used it. Thank you!
@@GadolElohai he (Mr. Aldo Bova) also plays through the Exercises from his Book on TH-cam!
Desde muy lejos atento a tus consejos musicales aplicados a La flauta.... Saludos desde colombia
Apologies if I shouldn't say this here, but I've finished with my AltblockflötenReise books and have put the complete set on ebay (uk) - might be useful for anyone trying to get hold of them as you can't readily buy them here.
That's fantastic - thanks so much, Sarah! Might be worth noting that Brian Bonsor also does a series of books called 'From Descant to Treble', which are good.
There's a two part method for alto/bass/sopranino; soprano/tenor and by Mario Duschenes BMI Canadian Publication but it's ancient! Been using it to tutor myself. Harry
I also taught myself using the Hugh Orr and Mario Duschenes books :) The second Duschenes book includes Brandenburg Concertos 2 & 4!
I learned from part two of Duschenes after starting with the older (unrevised) Trapp Family Book. I thought it was a very good book. Duschenes was apparantly quite a figure on the Canadian music education and concert scene, based in Montreal.
By 'ancient ' I didn't mean to imply that it wasn't good. With due apologies to Mr. Duschenes. His exercises on sections of the Händel Sonatas are both imaginative and effective. I guess newer publications cover more ground.
Some more recent books (as you could tell from Sarah's comments in the vido) cover matters of technique (breathing, tonguing, relaxed and efficient fingering, etc.) in greater detail; some do not. Sorry for any confusion stemming from the way I wrote!
The things I best remember from the Duschenes books are the complete parts for Brandenburg 2 and the first recorder in Brandenburg 4, and also the exercise of playing "Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow" in all keys.
Also it's not THAT ancient. A few of the books that are on Sarah's list or have meen mentioned in comments are either older or else at least revised versions of older books that have stayed close to their origins. There are lots of oldies but goodies out there!
@@RolandHutchinson thank you! I'm trying to make the switch from nose-breathing to mouth-breathing which is not covered by the books I'm following; the use of the buttress (RH 3rd ) finger for stability as advocated by Franz Julius Giesbert. Self-tutoring has its pitfalls. Still no where close to attempting the Brandenburgs 2 and 4! Perhaps at 1/2 tempo.
I don't think you will find a store like this in the US. What a dream!
For early music, the Early Music Shop of New England comes close for printed music, and also sells recorders and other instruments. www.vonheune.com
On the web and in person by appointment only, there is the Boulder Early Music Shop, bems.com (They actually were in Boulder, Colorado two owners ago!)
Of course, Holland must be a great place for the periods (include the present) during which recorder music is/was written and played. At the moment, there is a Dutch recorder maker and player, Adriana Breukink, who makes the most spectacular recorders.
..Since you asked..I took lessons,but I went along and bought some 'Fun Club' books.Series of 3 or 4..?.They look like geared for kids..But as an adult;i took to learning from them on my own..They are fun tunes and the backing tracks is of pretty good quality!...I felt learning the tunes really got me off the ground as it were.pre-grade 1 and just post...Might be good up to G.2 ...?
Can we just say how sad it is that this store is gone :(. spend half my childhood there!
but whyyyy!? I wanted to go there on my next trip to Amsterdam
There is still one in Utrecht
Hi Sarah, many thanks for these great videos! Is there also a third lesson available? Greetings from Germany, Stefan
Hi Sarah, I recently stumbled across this. I'm new and basically a biginner to a Recorder and watching a few of your videos I was incredibly enthusiastic with wanting to learn. You are very knowledgeable and uplifting to listen to as well... A lot of what you mentioned is very important and great information. Unfortunately, I do not own a decent Recorder as of yet so would like some advice on what to get. I own 2 bamboo wood flutes very similar looking but different..lol and has only 6 finger holes that I bought from some old carnival guy at a local Fair about 20 years ago. I just recently started playing them both. They have a great sound and tone now that they have aged.. I picked up really fast just from within 6 months of playing along to some blues, jazz fusion, funk and a lot of James Brown..hehe... After practicing and playing repetition over and over, I enveloped some great technique and understanding of the melodies that what can come next and what I am playing made sense, sounds impressive, almost like It was meant for the song...hehe..And I don't have a clue as to what I am even doing either.. I'm just having lots of fun with them, going by ear and feeling it out but I do need to go much further in order to improve my skills and techniques.. .just watching one of your videos and listening to you play sure told me so...hehehe. It makes me happy when it comes natural and like it was meant to be for me to play. I do enjoy playing and play everyday now. I would like to learn classical and know theory as well. I will be getting some books you recommended on here and a good Recorder to start. Thank you so much for your informative video Sarah Jeffery.. I cannot wait to check out more of your others and look forward to hearing you play again!
Hi Sarah,
Your videos are fantastic. I am 54 years old, and English is not my first language! Playing music is one of my ambitions from my childhood, but I never ever had a chance to start, for many reasons. Now, my daughter bought a flute recorder for me! I strongly have made a decision to learn from your videos. Also, I intent to buy the book that you introduced it: Enjoy The recorder, by Brain Bonsor. Thank you for all your videos.
Is it possible to put the numbers for videos that you had already thought of? Many thanks again.
Can anyone suggest method books that include fingerings for all major minor and harmonic scales, in all keys?
Hi, Sarah. Thank you very much for all your videos. A few months ago i bought a Yamaha alto recorder (i really love the sound) and i want to buy a method to learn. Watching your video i have two options: “Fun and games..” and “The Trapp Family…”. I can read basic music and i have played guitar for years (always tablature, not music notation). Wich of these two methods do you think can be better? I have thought that “Fun and Games” can be more modern, but “The Trapp Family” looks very clear. I don’t know wich can be better. Thank you again for all your help! (Sorry for my english)
Very helpful video! One question: can I use the alto books for the bass recorder (they're both in F so I think the fingering is similar)? Or will you post some video about bass exercise books? Thank you for the help!
You can use alto books for bass recorder, but they’ll be in treble clef, and often we read bass recorder in bass clef. I did a whole video called ‘Getting started on bass recorder’ with a bunch of book recommendations, so check it out!
I've already seen the video ;) I'll try to buy some alto book, it's not a problem to play in another clef (I'm a professional singer, I can read different clef :D ) Thank you a lot for your answer!
I have been working through the Orr book (vol 1) which I picked up from the public library. He does include a lot of photos and pictures f how to hold the recorder and how your fingers should be. Interestingly, he advocates for a thumb rest, which I have not seen mentioned on any of Sarah's videos, and somehow I hate the idea of sticking something onto one's instrument. I think that holding the recorder correctly, it is balanced on the thumb. Has anyone else heard of using a thumb rest?
good stuff , but broekmans website is not in English(why should it be?) so tricky for me to order.I have dusted off the olde tube,
and got rid of the spiders ...you are very inspiring !
There's a little icon of the UK flag that you can click on to get the English version.
Other recommended (and anglophone if not monoglot) sources include bems.com and vonhuene.com in the USA and earlymusicshop.com in the UK.
I agree you really need to write your own instructional book! But after watching the video I've bought Enjoy the Recorder, Book 1 by Brian Bonsor
Hi Sarah, any chance of doing a best recorder books for children (and adults who want something easy to start with) video? I like the Progressive learning method for young beginners books. They have got me started on Keyboard, Piano and Guitar (I am 50) and my partner has just ordered Progressive recorder method for young beginners book 1. It would be great if you could do a video for best childrens recorder books.
Hi Sarah! Could you do a video on how to stop those little annoying mini squeaks at a start of a tongued high note? I've been trying to improve my tone and everytime I tongue a c sharp in the second register on the alto I always always get that annoying mini squeak! Thanks!
Tried to go there last January and they were in the middle of moving to... Badhoevedorp, I believe.
True! I'll add that to the description...
Love your videos, greetings from México (the mother land of Horacio Franco)
im very interested in self-learning the treble recorder and its quite hard to gather information in this area out there so thanks sarah! im a flute player and just wondering if this will make my self-learning easier
In this situation, I am glad I grew up speaking German! 😊 (As an American, speaking German is rarely an advantage.)
Love your videos and likes your personality! Most important you are always informative! So thanks
I received a Yamaha Alto recorder (yra 312B III) for Christmas, awesome! Now I am looking for a good book to learn from, as I am new to instrument playing. I have only sang in the church quire. I do not know how to read music. Which book would you suggest for the Alto newbie. I just barley learned B A G on my sons toy recorder from school.
Sarah, you are amazing and inspiring and so are your videos! Please keep going, so I keep practicing ;)
Can you recommend any soprano recorder books for an adult who already knows how to read music and about music theory?
that video is coming soon! 😄
I'm new to your channel 😊 I'm from the USA, and I'm learning the soprano recorder so I can teach my two young sons. I played the flute when I was younger, and I also sang in choir while I was in college, so I'm ok at reading music. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thank you! I'm going to check and see if you made a video for soprano books for adults! Love your channel, thanks! 💕
I found the works of Daniël Demoivre quite usefull.
Sarah, could you recommend any German fingering books for adult beginners please?
What do you think about the Music Minus One books? Maybe you demo one someday. Thanks for posting!
Love your vids! I started with von traps 1...however I feel Sweet Pipes is a quicker learn for older learners. Right now my right arm is in a sling after a dislocated shoulder and can only play my alt.recorder...short periods of time.
English girl speaks German with Dutch accent. Strong move!
Hello Sarah, I’m Elvira and I’m a professional flutist. At the moment I am learning to play the flute recorder by myself more seriously, but I have some doubts about that.
-The first thing is about trills. For flute there are tables where you can find the positions for playing the different trills with all the combinations. Is there such a thing for recorder? If so, where can I get it?
-The second thing is about books: Technique, studies for beginners, beautiful pieces… I have watched all your videos in your channel about this topic, but most of them are for alto flute recorder or very advanced studies for soprano recorder for my level. Could you give me a recommendation of studies for soprano recorder, please?
-The last question is about the flutes: is it more common to play with alto flute recorder than soprano recorder? I have small hands and I can’t cover the holes correctly. What do you recommend me: to follow only with the soprano flute recorder or to try to combine both?
Thank you very much for your time and congratulations for your channel!!
Best wishes😊
It’s more common to learn the soprano, but the call for professional recorders are mostly alto, probably why she concentrates on that the most. They have adaptable recorders in all sizes, I believe Yamaha makes a decent quality plastic version where you can turn the holes so it can fit your hand appropriately. As to everything else, I’m not sure. I’m still very much a beginner.
@@ThunderStruck15 Thank you very much for the answer!!:D
Thank you for sharing this!
Sarah, thanks for your videos. From watching your videos I purchased a Yamaha 312 Alto recorder. I watched your video on instruction books and am having trouble locating the Enjoy the Recorder by Bonsor. I have ordered two books and returned them as they were for a soprano can you tell me the isbn number for that book in your video?
I play the c flute and acoustic guitar, I am looking for a good book for me to learn the Alto recorder. Lori George, Michigan USA
Please, make a video with soprano books!
+Lucas Silva it's on the way 😊
Wow! There's so much more adult recorder teaching methods out there than I expected. I've got a friend considering starting up, so I recommended your really helpful video.
I was interested to see improvisation being covered. I'm a self-taught beginner at improvising. Are there any good books on that? Any chance of you doing a video about it?
That's a great idea for a video! Any particular style of impro - baroque ornaments, diminutions, free improvisation, jazz changes..?
+Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder
So many options. I do a mixture of rock/blues/folk style depending on what I'm doing (check out the alt / heavy metal covers on www.SoundCloud.com/little-league-rebellion for details). I'm interested in how players develop their improvisation 'vocabulary' if that makes sense, and I suppose the principles for that would be the same whether your improvising in a baroque style, jazz, or rock. Are there good books on principals of improvisation, or should we try to learn good solos (e.g. by Jimi Hendrix :-)) in order to immerse ourselves in a chosen style that we then try to apply as improvisation? I imagine a bit of both is required, but I don't know where to start other than throwing myself into jam sessions and seeing what happens!
wow - music heaven!
Thank you so much for this! I appreciate all the detail you go into. I just bought my first alto recorder, transferring from flute, and I have a question-- when looking for sheet music, can I use music written for flute and/or other instruments? Will it sound weird (would I need to transpose such music?) Thanks!!
Hi Kristen! When moving from flute to alto recorder you woud need to transpose the music, as an alto is 4 notes higher... so the F is all holes closed. Of course, it's no problem to just play without transposing if you're playing alone - but if other people get involved you'd need to be in the same key! :) Good luck!
Well most early flute music should be interchangeable with recorder, as, to my knowledge, the two instruments were at that time similarly limited and thusly used interchangeably. But regardless, you can play any single line of music on alto recorder as long as it doesn't go below F4 or above G6. Keeping in mind of course that flute has a much more similar timbre to recorder than say, cello XD. So if you want it to sound like the original, stick to instruments that sound like recorder. :)
awesome! I'd be happy to have a lots of good books around here, unfortunately not. I hope in the future to get some of those books you just showed us. Besides would be fantastic to learn some words in German.Thank you Sarah!
I have a few books. I’m just frustrated with the music selection - I can’t tell if I’m playing the piece right if I have no idea what the piece is SUPPOSED to sound like!
I’ve been on a classical music kick this week. Minuet and Ode to Joy mostly. Btw, Minuet in G major on kalimba is so much easier than on recorder! The high F# is hard to remember. My regular range goes up to high D, E even. High F# is ridiculous.
It’s hard to find simple pieces with a C to high E range.
Dear Sarah, thank you so much! your videos are very joyful and nice to watch! You motivated me to get in touch with an alto recorder. As an adult mostly self-taught beginner, which one of the books you are talking about is most suited in my condition? I was thinking about the Altblockflöten Reisen.... Is that correct? ps: I am a classically trained musician. Byeeeee :-)
Hi Debby, yes I love the Altblockflötenreise! Good quality music, a lot of a variety, and if you are already trained as a musician it's perfect as it doesn't spend lots of time on theory. Book 1 builds up the alto fingerings steadily, and by book three it's pretty complex stuff - Bach, baroque concertos, world music in different irregular time signatures, pop, classical... something of everything!
Heel interessante videos. What a music shop in A'dam, they all close here in Belgium!!
Een bezoek is zeker de moeite waard!
zonder twijfel
@@yvesdelombaerde5909 I just visited a good one in Bruges. Rombeaux music. Lots of recorder music.
You is very funny!!! I love this! Big hug from Brazil!!!!
Hi Sarah, what books would you recommend for the tenor recorder? Thanks!
Hi Ben, there is a video coming in the future about books for soprano/tenors! Stay posted!
Thank you so much for this video! ^_^ I am learning the alto right now, mostly with James Arden (which someone gave me) and was looking for a book with a nice play-a-long in the style of Blokfluitkoffer (which I used for soprano). Will order AltblockflötenReise right away!
I like all your videos!