The recorder is a very popular wooden wind instrument in the 14th century. It produces a soft sound, similar to that of the flute. Compared to other instruments, the recorder is relatively easy to play and therefore is a perfect instrument for children. Read this article if you are ready to learn how to play it!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Get started
Step 1. Buy a recorder
If you are a beginner, buy a plastic recorder, very cheap. Plastic flutes are usually used by children at school, because they do not require large management costs.
- After you have learned the basics of playing it and you are still interested in it, you can think about buying a wooden instrument, a little more expensive. The wooden flute has a far more pleasant sound than the plastic one, but requires a far greater effort in terms of its maintenance.
- Both types are on sale at the best musical instrument stores and are also available online.
Step 2. Assemble the flute
The flute usually consists of three sections: the upper part, where the mouthpiece is located, the middle part where there are the holes for the fingers and the lower part which has a bell shape. Gently assemble the pieces together.
- The bottom should be turned so that the hole is facing a little to the right as you play.
- Some flutes, for example those used in school, consist of a single piece.
Step 3. Learn to hold it
Grab the flute and put the mouthpiece at the level of your lips. Gently hold it between your lips and balance it with your fingers. Remember to always keep your left hand at the top.
- The back side of the tool must face you. The front side should instead be facing away from you.
- Do not bite the mouthpiece and do not rest it on your teeth.
Method 2 of 4: Learn the Basics
Step 1. Learn to blow the flute
Blow into the flute to get an idea of the sound it should make. Do it gently. As you blow, imagine how you have to do it to produce bubbles. Blowing gently while maintaining a constant flow of air is one of the most difficult, but most important things to learn when you start playing the flute.
- If you do this too hard, it will make a shrill and unpleasant sound. Blow more gently to generate a melodious sound.
- Breathe with your diaphragm and make sure you blow continuously. This will help you keep the sound constant.
Step 2. Learn the correct technique of using the language
When you play a note on the flute, you have to use your tongue to start and end the sound. Leave your tongue at the bottom of your mouth behind your teeth. The sound must begin and end this way.
- To do this, try saying the phoneme "dut" or "dud" as you play the note. With this technique, which in English is called tonguing, you get a perfect beginning and end of the note.
- Be careful not to vocalize the phonemes as you play. You have to use them only to learn the right technique for using the language.
Step 3. Play your first note
The first note that you usually learn to play is the B. To play it, you have to close the back hole with your left thumb. Then, with your left index finger, cover the first hole on the front of the instrument, below the mouthpiece. Use your right thumb to balance the flute. Now, gently blow into the mouthpiece, remembering to say "dut" or "dud". Congratulations. The note you just heard is a yes.
- If the note doesn't come out or screeches, make sure your fingers are completely covering the holes and are flat.
- Another reason the note screeches is that you are blowing too hard.
- Keep practicing B until you are confident.
Step 4. Study the position table
The position table is used to represent the notes on a flute. It consists of a series of numbers from 0 to 7, where 0 is the left thumb, 1 is the left index finger, 2 is the left middle finger and so on.
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For example, on the table of positions, the Si is indicated as:
0 1 - - - - - -
- The zero represents your thumb and one represents the first hole to be covered. The remaining holes are indicated by dashes, as these holes will not be covered to play the B.
Step 5. Learn the notes to be played with the left hand
The first notes you will learn to play with your left hand are B (which you have already played), A and G. The next two notes you will play with your left are C and D. The apostrophe indicates that these notes are high.
- To play the A: Use the same positions as the B, but in addition, place your left middle finger on the second hole starting from the top. On the table of positions, the A is represented like this: 0 12 - - - - -
- To play the G: Use the same positions as the A, but in addition, place the left ring finger on the third hole starting from the top. On the table of positions, the G is represented like this: 0 123 - - - -
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To play the C ':
Cover the back hole with your left thumb, then place your left middle finger on the second hole from the top. On the position table, C 'corresponds to 0 - 2 - - - - -
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To play the D ':
Leave the back hole free and place your left middle finger on the second hole from the top. On the position table, you will find: - - 2 - - - - -
Step 6. Now learn to play the notes of the right hand
The first notes you can learn to play with your right hand are E, F and F #. The next two notes are the Fa and Do. These two notes can be difficult to learn due to the large number of holes to be covered.
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To play the E:
Cover the rear hole with your left thumb, cover the first three front holes with the index, middle and ring fingers of the left hand, then place the right index finger on the fourth anterior hole and the right middle finger on the fifth anterior hole. On the position table, you will find: 0 123 45 - -
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To play the D:
Use the same positions used for the E, but this time put your right ring finger on the sixth front hole. On the position table, you will find: 0 123 456 -
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To play the F #:
Use the same positions used for the King, but this time remove the right index from the fourth front hole, leaving all the other fingers in place. On the position table, you will find: 0 123 - 56 -
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To play the Fa:
Put the left thumb on the back hole, the left index, middle and ring fingers on the first three front holes, the right index finger on the fourth hole, the right ring finger on the sixth hole and the right little finger on the seventh hole. On the position table, you will find: 0 123 4 - 67
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To play C:
When you play C, all seven holes are covered. The left thumb will cover the lower hole, the left index, middle and ring fingers will cover the first three front holes, while the right index, middle, ring and little fingers will cover the last four front holes. On the position table, you will find: 0 123 4567
Step 7. Try playing simple songs
Once you have the practice of playing all the notes, you can try to play some fairly simple songs:
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Mary Had a Little Lamb:
- Yes La Sol La Yes Yes Yes
- La La La
- Yes Re 'King'
- Yes La Sol La Yes Yes Yes
- La La Si La Sol
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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star:
- Re Re La La Si Si La
- Sol Sol Fa # Fa # Mi Mi Re
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Auld Lang Syne:
Do Fa Fa Fa La Sol Fa Sol La Fa Fa La Do 'Re'
Method 3 of 4: Switch to More Advanced Techniques
Step 1. Practice playing the high notes
These can be a bit difficult. To play notes higher than the D, a technique known as "thumb hole plucked" must be used. Cover only 2/3 or ¾ of the thumb hole using only the tip of the thumb. Tighten your lips a little more and blow just harder than usual.
Step 2. Learn the semitones
Semitones are the notes present between the main notes. On a piano, they are the black keys. The most used semitone is F #, which you have already learned. Two other semitones you will need to learn are Bb and C # '.
- On the table of positions, the Bb is: 0 1 - 3 4 - - -
- On the table of positions, the C # 'is: - 12 - - - - -
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Practice with these notes, playing Baa Baa Black Sheep in D:
Re Re La La Si Do # Re Si La, Sol Sol Fa # Fa # Mi Mi Re
Step 3. Work on the vibrato
Once you have mastered the notes, you can work on a vibrato technique. A vibrato makes long notes resonate, creating a beautiful dynamic effect. There are several ways to achieve this effect:
- Use a diaphragmatic vibrato. Say "heh heh heh", but don't completely block the flow of air.
- Use a tongue tremolo. Pronounce "yer yer yer yer yer yer", using the language to modulate the flow of air.
- Use a vibrato made with your fingers. Although not ideal for sustained vibrato, this method is also known as a trill. Alternatively, put your fingers for the note you need and for the next higher note. Do not modulate the tune with the language for each note, but quickly make a sequence La Si La Si La Si La.
Step 4. Use glissates
They are made by sliding your fingers in quick succession to create a gliding sound.
Method 4 of 4: Maintaining Your Flute
Step 1. Clean the flute after each use
It is important to keep the instrument clean both for hygiene reasons and to keep the flute in good working condition.
- The plastic flutes can be washed in the dishwasher or by soaking them in hot water with detergent. Before proceeding with the wash, remove the individual pieces and then make sure to rinse off all the residual soap.
- The mouthpiece can be cleaned with a used toothbrush or with a pipe cleaner.
- Let the flute dry thoroughly before playing it again.
- For wooden flutes, disassemble the individual pieces and carefully remove the residual moisture using a soft cloth.
Step 2. Store the flute in the case
Keep the flute in its case to avoid chipping or damage to the top hole, as if you damage the instrument it becomes useless.
Step 3. Protect the flute from extreme temperatures
Protect the instrument from sudden changes in temperature or direct exposure to sunlight, do not leave it in a hot car or near a heat source. This is of fundamental importance for wooden flutes, but it is a good practice for any instrument.
Step 4. Learn to prevent blockages
The condensation of moisture particles inside the flute can cause blockages. You can avoid clogging in both the wooden and plastic flute by heating the joint of the upper part between your hands or putting it in your armpit or pocket before playing.
- If water has accumulated inside, cover the opening at the top of the flute with the palm of your hand and blow violently inside.
- If the humidity persists, prepare a solution by dissolving one part of the detergent in three parts of water. Pour this solution through the opening, letting it flow inside and let it act for a few seconds before sliding it away. Let the instrument dry thoroughly before playing. This procedure cleans the inside of the flute and makes the condensate evaporate more easily.
Advice
- If you make a squeaky sound, be sure not to blow excessively and that the holes are completely covered by your fingers. If you keep making a shrill sound, try blowing a little louder or modulate the air until the sound comes out clean.
- Squeeze your lips when you play high notes and relax them when you play low notes.
- Try to remember the first three notes. Pronouncing them with the word SiLaSol
- If you keep your back straight, the sound will be better.
- Listen to old CDs, for example of Renaissance music, to get your ear to the sound. Often, the music of that historical period is characteristic for the flute.
- Playing the clarinet can improve your flute playing skills and if you start with the flute, you can easily switch to the clarinet, as the techniques for playing and holding it and the finger positions are very similar.
- Don't spend money on music lessons unless you are truly interested in playing the flute.
