A little breath.
A new melody.

How do you play the recorder?

The left hand goes on top and the right hand below. The left thumb covers the hole at the back (0); the left index, middle and ring fingers cover front holes 1, 2 and 3, and the four fingers of the right hand cover holes 4, 5, 6 and 7. Cover the holes completely with the soft pads of your fingers, not the tips.

Use a warm, gentle breath, and start each note with the tongue as if saying “too”. Blowing too hard makes the note jump to a higher one.

Basic notes and finger positions

Melokta uses a C soprano recorder with Baroque fingering (0 = back hole, 1–7 = front holes; covered holes are listed):

• B: 0, 1
• A: 0, 1, 2
• G: 0, 1, 2, 3
• F: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 (Baroque forked F)
• E: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• D: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Low C: all holes covered
• High C: 0, 2 · High D: 2 only (back hole open)

Baroque and German fingering

The clearest difference between the two systems is the note F. In German fingering F is played by covering holes 0–4 only; in Baroque fingering hole 5 stays open and 6 and 7 are covered (a forked fingering). Baroque recorders are better in tune in the high notes and the sharps and flats. You can usually tell the system from a “B” (Baroque) or “G” (German) mark on the instrument.

Exercises for beginners

1. Play only B: four beats long, four beats rest.
2. B–A–B–A, then B–A–G: three fingers of the left hand are enough.
3. G–A–B–A–G up and down; start every note with “too”.
4. Add the right hand for C–D–E; if a note squeaks, check for a leaking hole.