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How to Pick Pieces to Learn to Play the Recorder

The recorder is an instrument that is suitable for beginning students who want to learn music but don't want to spend a lot of money on an expensive instrument. In the Renaissance period, recorders were considered professional instruments and were used in several pieces. Even today, there are groups of professional recorder players who make a living off this extremely versatile instrument. Picking pieces to learn to play the recorder is a simple process if you follow a few guidelines.

Step 1 Select music that only has a few pitches in the melody. You can find collections of songs from beginning recorder method books. These are relatively inexpensive. Some good songs are "Lullaby," "French Song" and "Hot Cross Buns." Each of these songs uses only three pitches -- B, A and G.

Step 2 Learn songs that use only the notes B, A, and G first. These are the easiest fingerings to learn. B is played with just the thumb and the first finger held down. The note A uses the thumb, first and second finger. G uses the thumb, first, second and third finger.

Step 3 Add one note at a time until you have learned all of the notes on the staff. You should add the notes slowly, moving upward from B. The next note is C in the middle of the staff, followed by D, E and finally F. When you have learned these notes you will be able to play songs such as "All Through the Night" and "Jingle Bells."

Step 4 Continue to learn new notes as you find new music that you are interested in playing. Once you have learned the above-recommended songs, move on to songs of your own choosing. This is the best way to enjoy the experience of learning new music.

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