Tutorial: HOW TO SOUND GOOD ON A SOPRANO

[@lynnnielsen2058]

Sarah, I love your videos! I'm 61 years old and have started learning the descant recorder - something I've always wanted to do. This tutorial really helped me lessen the squeak and shrillness and get some nice clear high notes - I was so thrilled!!!!

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi Lynn, I'm so happy to hear it! Keep enjoying the recorder, and I hope you keep enjoying my videos!

[@walllee6470]

After watching your videos, I am going to get my daughter a recorder... thank you for taking time out to post content

[@KurtRichards]

Thank You for your cool videos, Sarah! I finished clarinet in music school and played in an orchestra and an ensemble for over a decade. I found my love to recorders again after playing the garklein and the tin whistle. Right now, I am praticing to play alto and sopranino recorder. You're videos are a big funny and interesting motivation! You are such a beautiful, funny and smart woman, and also your husband is such a wonderful, funny and cool guy. Keep up the good work! :-) lovely greetings from Vienna, the old city of music, KR

[@samicruz8289]

I was about to get an Alto Recorder, but I couldn't find any of them near my place, so I've just got a soprano today. I'm enjoying its sound, and it's a good instrument as well. Thx for the vid. ;)

[@judecalver2177]

Just found your fabulous videos, I’ve played the recorder for years but only had a handful of lessons in primary school. I’m now learning so much from your tutorials ❤️

[@pamredwood5550]

So very very helpful for me an adult beginner, thank you and hope you are very happy in your new home.

[@Team_Recorder]

Thanks Pam!

[@annmcilwraith5385]

This is a wonderful recorder lesson! I am a beginning player and teaching myself. Slow and fast air, and breath support are all used in singing, so it was good to hear about them for the recorder. Thank you, Sarah!

[@RecorderArcade]

Wow, Sarah. I grew up learning, studying and performing on all types of brass, woodwind, and fipple instruments and I have to say that this section on air speed is one of, if not the best, description of how we breathe and how to control air that I have experienced. I will be stealing it for my own students. (With credit of course) 😀 Cheers to you!

[@cafiristanemperor]

Hello, how are you, Ms Jeffery? Since there are no recorder teachers next to where I live (I live in the countryside of RS, Brazil), I have to struggle with self teaching and relying on the internet to learn and I have to say: you were the best discovery that I have made! Congratulations for your awesome videos! Well, I have one question, Ms Jeffery, which is making me mad: I started to learn the alto recorder because the pieces that I loved most were written for it and, since I'm an adult, it seemed easier than the soprano. Now I got really serious with my studies and I intend to make the examination to enter the Music university. So, my question is how to avoid making the confusion when reading music, since there are two sets of fingerings? I can play relatively well the soprano but I'm always mentally going back to the treble fingerings. It's like I know that I have to speak in Spanish but end up speaking in Portuguese and everything gets ruined... If you could make a video to help me, I'd be in great debt with you! Anything would help: maybe and indication for books, routines to practice with both the recorders and train the brain so they won't mix anymore etc. Again, thank you so much for your videos! Cheers from Brazil!

[@blueocean2404]

No comment

[@ErnestoValt]

Esta es la pregunta que yo iba a hacer a Sarah. Es una pena que no te haya respondido. Yo supondría, usando tu ejemplo de los idiomas, que primero se debe dominar la soprano a la perfección, para después abordar la alto y empezar no de cero, pero sí nuevas digitaciones, tal como se haría estudiando primero portugués y luego italiano o español. Y se supone que podrías abordar sopranino y tenor por extensión ¿no? En fin. ¿Cómo vas con tus estudios? Yo acabo de empezar con la soprano Yamaha y recién una Honner de madera de maple. Saludos desde Ciudad de México.

[@Carpatouille]

Damn she never answered, that's cold

[@20teverify]

5 anos depois, faz o update pra gente aí. O que você anda fazendo?

[@cafiristanemperor]

@@20teverify Oi, Felipe, tudo bem? Então, estou na UFRGS, fazendo licenciatura em flauta doce! Já melhorei bastante e acabei aprendendo a diferenciar soprano/tenor e contralto/baixo, mas, como vim do sax, ainda acho que seria melhor encarar a flauta doce como instrumento transpositor e fazer partituras dedicadas, unificando as digitações. Entendo por que não são feitas, do ponto de vista histórico. A flauta doce continua sendo um dos instrumentos mais fascinantes que já descobri e sigo tocando e aprendendo, meu amigo! Grande abraço!

[@louisecooper1001]

I'm an adult teaching myself recorder mum had to stop school lessons because the teacher was mean because I'm deaf so teaching myself now I just wanted to wait intill I'd been left school awhile your videos are inspirational I have subscribed

[@_yuri]

mean teachers are the worst

[@ziomatthewmusic4205]

@@_yuri That's terrible. One school teacher once said I wrote with my feet. I am dyspraxic so can't physically write because my brain doesn't send the electrical impulses fast enough for me to have the right dexterity for handwriting. It was like laughing at someone with a walking stick saying ha you walk funny. So horrid.

[@Sylvia-Storm]

@@ziomatthewmusic4205I had all that as well. Dyspraxia hadn’t been heard of when I was in school.

[@wept_in_the]

@@ziomatthewmusic4205some people just shouldn't be teachers.

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

This should be shown to every Elementary and Middle/Junio High School child: if they absolutely have to be taught Music also by playing the descant/soprano, make them sounding it good!

[@litxumbreon9384]

Haha hot cross buns is still ringing in my head

[@unstabilizer]

Sarah you're superb, thanks so much for these videos!

[@AMaupin2]

At 10:39 I just realized the soprano recorder could be used as a moose call! Sorry...just had to... ;)

[@amalfox7607]

Thank you so much. You give so much knowledge in a highly professional way and are entertaining all at the same time. Thanks for such excellence

[@sunlight.eyecare22]

Your smiles are so magical. They are as soft as the gentle leaning evening breeze of Africa. Thank you for teaching me

[@evelynabston7137]

Thank you so much for your tips. I am hearing a better sound now! You are amazing! I do meditative breathing and I find that I have good breath control.

[@graceyeh1]

Incredibly informative. I will be watching this video several times to digest your teaching.

[@noelt.3498]

Les conseils de Sarah sont précieux pour l'apprentissage de la flûte à bec ! C'est un excellent professeur quand on ne peut pas en avoir un sous la main. Comme je joue aussi de la clarinette, beaucoup de ses conseils me permettent aussi de mieux jouer sur la clarinette, notamment pour la respiration (abaissement du diaphragme pour respirer par le centre) et souffler vite dans l'aigu mais sans jouer "fort", complexe, ça demande pas mal d'entraînement !

[@eduardpastor3736]

You are so sweet, thanks for sharing. I never played this in my life and now I can learn something new. All I played in my life is a guitar, an electric one and it was only metal music. But I love instruments of music and recently I've got Yamaha Soprano recorder so I can learn something new. Thanks for your video.

[@lawriegraney9929]

You are a lovely player and quite inspirational. Thanks. I've just bought myself a soprano recorder by Aulos for taking camping with me. It's easy to carry and would be fun to play if only I could. I want to play like you. Anyway, believe it or not, it was Mark Knoplfer's tune the theme tune for Local Hero ' Going Home' that inspired me to buy a recorder. I've got the start of the tune good and I'm in tune, I think, but then I get lost. I'm continuing to try to find the right change of notes, but it is hard to find and get right. I'd love to hear you playing it, if it is possible on the recorder.

[@scottyhughes9179]

Thanks Sarah, a very helpful tutorial for me, I am a total beginner. I just bought a new (vintage c.1971) Moeck soprano that I am excited to learn how to play!!

[@andrewc3142]

Really helpful video as always, thanks, and love your enthusiasm - very inspiring. On the dead air thing, one tip my teacher gave me, especially for soprano/sopranino, was to first breathe out fully at the start. For van Eyck pieces I find it useful to do that between modes as well, and also it helps get me in the right place for the last one.

[@elishevaborenson4609]

Brilliant lesson. Thank you

[@drahmdsalem7805]

IAM from Egypt. And I love u ur videos Ur content .. u r my teacher IAM gonna to be perfect recorder player if i learn from u. Thanks

[@olgaorde4161]

Splendid video tutorial! I warm up my soprano under my clothes, I test air speeds, I adjust tumb position :))

[@hectoraguilar770]

Hi Sarah! Thank you for this instructional video! I will go back to practice as soon I feel better! Bye!

[@mattfangrecorderstudio8325]

Here in the Philippines majority of people use descant. Music colleges here doesnt have the recorder as a major concentration. This video is very helpful. Thank you so much.

[@RudiSchmitt]

Thanks again for all your hints and examples! I'm always learning so much with your videos!

[@kevinmitchell2074]

Thank you for your recorder teaching. It has been very helpful.

[@LarryShone]

Great video, not only informative to a beginner like me but funny. And learning SHOULD be fun!

[@marymelcherts9216]

That was great. I found your unique imagery really helpful. Thanks Sarah.

[@kilimanjarno]

I so need to hear this video! Looking forward.

[@avariceseven9443]

I play mostly soprano. My tenor sounds so bad. These tips are great. I can't wait to try them my self. I have three questions by the way; 1. Do recorders go out of tune and irreparable if you play them for over a long time? 2. How about playing high notes, does this make it go out of tune? 3. Are there specific tricks how to make cheap recorder sound decent while playing notes higher than high c?

[@sleepingdogkungfu9326]

I like what I've heard by Steve Vai about 'giving each note it's own world' - or something similar to that... the idea being: don't just play 'a note / some notes' - play each note and section of notes and entire song to have a depth that is correct for that piece. You can't play the song with the correct feel unless each individual note has the right feel.

[@veedoran270]

brilliant tutorial - thank you so helpful.

[@raulcaballero8192]

Muchas gracias por el video. Me está siendo útil. Soy nuevo aprendiendo la flauta y estos consejos son excelentes!

[@Nicolas_Yo]

Great video, you are a wonderful teacher! Thank for share your knowledge with us!!

[@teachermay331]

Got new ideas.. I am using soprano recorder for my channel as newbie, so this video guides/strategies in playing recorder, really helps me a lot. Thank you so much ma'am 😊

[@imerlettidifrancescabarett9408]

Soprano is a great instrument! I love it! Thank you for your lessons!

[@mikegroocock6279]

Very inspiring and techniques I will use to improve my own playing.

[@shadbarends2729]

Thank you. I am now enjoying learning the recorder after teaching myself some of the music of Mr. Dowland.

[@Narriz]

This is just excellent. Thank you!

[@MarcBaggiani]

I can even watch this video without been a recorder player... it is so fkn' entertaining!!

[@NucleicWit]

Thanks for the laugh. She is extremely entertaining and full of life.

[@bakharinokuri9700]

Man I love these videos, keep it coming!

[@Emmano]

hello sarah i've just discovered your channel and i'm sooo glad to watch all your vidéos!! I really want to learn the soprano and alto recorder and your tutorial help me a lot; thanks a lot also for the video on the best method it's very interresting! hope i'll be a great recorder player one day! :) thanks for this channel!

[@Team_Recorder]

+Emma paintbrush you're welcome, glad you enjoyed it! 😄

[@davidsanme1715]

I love this channel. Iam beginner & old man thaks from México.

[@josequins9099]

I play the clarinet. The first time I blew into a recorder I'm sure it nearly exploded. I find it really hard to moderate the airflow down to such a small (in comparison to clarinet) amount. Also, that renaissance recorder has such a beautiful sound.

[@toeeater6753]

I play clarinet too❤💛

[@tonicastel2390]

Me too! I just nearly exploded my cats’ ears and set off a fire alarm!

[@andersonnoronha1647]

Thanks for the tips, I was actually a litle scared about terrifiying my neighbours hauauuaha

[@jamestepesh355]

Hi Sarah im a complete novice so I have started to watch your vids there realy very helpful, my chosen recorder is an barock alto recorder just love its tone, anyway love the vids there so helpful thank you. :)

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

Sarah Jeffery Can you please expand on your comment (14:53 in this video when speaking of dead air) about breathing (improper) leading to headaches? Please! MY granddaughter has switched from me teaching her recorder to learning flute (her passion) but now she gets headaches. I told her and my daughter it must be connected to breathing - but I don't think they believe me. I don't want to be an interfereing granny but I do want my graddaughter to love playing (hard to do with a headache!).

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi Susanne, I listened back to that section, and I meant 'headache' in the figurative sense! I meant that if you take in too much air, it can create an annoying problem, rather than getting an actual headache. When switching from recorder to flute it may take some time to get used to it - a flute is much bigger (if you were playing soprano recorder) and takes more air, plus in the beginning your embouchure may not be so precise, so the player might be losing more air... I went through this too! In the end, practising a little every day will mean that you soon adjust. Any other flute players have tips?

[@cigarettevodka5690]

Thanks so much for this very informative and entertaining video. It's so great to see a teaching lesson focused on the higher instrument. I love a soprano and actually prefer to play it over the alto. I find the sound more pure.

[@hersheanlozadaa7284]

hi im now playing my maped soprano recorder ohhh it was amazing

[@fengari1914]

Very funny - "Sorry, new neighbours..." I thought of that when having a go at my descant and laughing through the recorder is definitely NOT recommended - LOL

[@matthewquinn6172]

Hello Sarah! I’m not sure if you will ever see this, but it’s worth a try! I just purchased the ecordear soprano and alto recorders by Yamaha! I want to advance my playing. I consider myself to be a strong beginner and early intermediate player. What books can help me bring my playing to the next level? I would love to play more advanced music, eventually. I am also a music teacher and classically trainer opera singer! I teach recorder every year to my third and fourth graders. Thanks for your help!

[@ilovemypet1339]

19:52, ahh, the sweet sweet sound of the wilderness

[@mihaiantoniomirica8701]

Thanks a lot ! You have brillinantly marvelous amazing showed everything about the spledndid recoreder music instruments ! Keep on ! I am Mirica Mihai Antonio .

[@ziomatthewmusic4205]

I need to go back to this video again. I started to sound nice and was able to play songs and could play the first mode of Doen Daphne and sounded nice. I started practicing a lot more piano and doing my own youtube videos, which is great, so I haven't been practicing recorder enough and I sound horrid again!

[@ElsweyrDiego]

12:22 but if i make this path couldn't i end linking the sound of a note that is a little higher than correct? i thought the notes have to stay exatc in the middle when i use a tuner, for example. so i have to blow the air until it matches the note on the tuner

[@brucewilkison2526]

Hi Sarah, my 7th grade recorder players enjoy and benefit from your videos! Question - what can be done to avoid the substantial change in pitch when different air speeds are used?

[@Team_Recorder]

I would say- have everyone blow confidently, and all should be fine!

[@ElsweyrDiego]

7:35 your finger number 6 is a little forward, i play like this too, is this ok or i must practise with it more rounded like the others? i find it is difficult to make D# with it forward (i'm practising the "look at your wristwatch" turn to uncover one hole from the note.

[@mheermance]

LP's and a turntable in the background. That's a blast from the past.

[@JadeDRail]

I love high notes! I LOVE when you play the even smaller one I cannot spell the name of.

[@lee-annkerr7357]

Sopranino is the one you mean :D

[@JadeDRail]

@@lee-annkerr7357 Is Sopranino another word for Garklein or are they different instruments?

[@penelopegoldberry8305]

@@JadeDRail No, the Garklein is in c, the sopranino in f. The Garklein is still smaller than the sopranino.

[@JadeDRail]

@@penelopegoldberry8305 Oh! I see, thank you!

[@andrericardos6554]

I really love your english!!! Greetings from Brazil!!!!

[@andreaszabo5884]

Thans for another great video! Do you think the same techniques are good for the Sopranino?

[@MsBettyRubble]

Have you seen her sopranino video yet? It's quite good.

[@jayaramanthamizhirai9332]

amazing lesson best wishes

[@dr18261]

Hi Mrs Jeffery I never touched a recorder before , but i'm very interested to learn how to play . you advice me to begin with soprano or alto

[@MsBettyRubble]

Mohamad Abdallah Choose the instrument that has the type of sound you prefer. I started with the alto first. After playing several months, I then started the soprano. Some recorder makers sell the soprano and alto together at an affordable price. Look for those. And if you can play them first, definitely choose the ones that sound good to you. Then you'll practice more because you like the sound.

[@serhioramires3166]

Gorgeous!!!

[@Alanhajoo]

My recorder does not make that nice sound it sounds like a mouse screaming lol XD

[@taimriddle.-.2738]

Alan Hajo! I think because your fingers are leaking air.

[@vikacvetkova3297]

Same

[@californium-2526]

Maybe you didn't close the holes completely.

[@kris6315]

You have to knock the spit out and play softly

[@richardnimo]

Remember that air to a recorder is like food to a mouse. Maybe you are forcing too much food on your mouse, and it is upset about that.

[@GeorginaMayDale]

Your videos are so informative! I've only just found your channel but I love it! I used to play recorder but I stopped aged 11, now I'm 22 and want to start playing seriously again! I just love the recorder so much! Please never stop making videos (as they are absolutely brilliant)! :)

[@Team_Recorder]

+Georgina May Dale awww thanks!

[@grandma.p]

I have a plastic soprano and a plastic alto recorder. If you were in this situation and had this choice, would you prefer to save your money to buy a wooden soprano or plastic tenor recorder next?

[@Team_Recorder]

I’d personally go for the tenor, then you have a bigger choice of instruments to play!

[@grandma.p]

Thanks for the advice. I think this is the better choice for now.

[@lauraschantz9058]

"Lower notes = slower breathing, higher notes = faster breathing" THAT is it. That is why my high notes always sounded wrong. Thank you!

[@Team_Recorder]

You’re very welcome!

[@johannreva]

Great Video Ms. I own a plastic recorder. How do you do the vibrato at 2:49? It's quite difficult to pull off.

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi Johann, indeed, vibrato really merits its own video! In general - good air support (from the diaphragm), and then I vary the breath pressure (blowing harder and softer) from the diaphragm. Then practising to be able to control this. A video on this should be made soon!

[@johannreva]

+Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder Ms. Sarah thank you. Will look forward to that. more power

[@MERWYNBETANCOURTH]

tu eres un amor!! gracias.

[@ClosedProductions]

Any tips on where to practice?? I live in an apartment and I want to try and learn but I can't bring myself to subject my neighbors to the initial screeching :(

[@lee-annkerr7357]

Watch the video about the Top hacks & tips for playing recorder - there is a part of the video that Sarah shows how you can 'muffle' the sound: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWOcZWeNmJeJlZY

[@stonwall9065]

6:03 She’s summoning the recorder demons.

[@g.bragion704]

I laughed so hard at 10:55.

[@maiandmigshowthailand9256]

I agree...

[@billelliott4217]

Thank You. This helps a lot! :)

[@davidhopkins6861]

thanks for all the help because I go to speech class I always miss music and before I could not play a single note thanks

[@johnroberts262]

Is there a device for keeping sound down on a descant, I live in a flat and do not want to upset neighbours. I'v tried paper mute but found it poor. Any advice Miss Sarah, most welcome.

[@brucedteter7888]

paper gets wet and distorts. I use plastic from old photography film - or any flat plastic with that thickness - it holds it shape. Cut a strip piece the exact width of the fiipple, bend the last 1/8-1/4 inch into a sharp bend like almost 180 degrees bend back, then just CAREFULLY clip it over the fipple. the more severe the bend the less it will mute - if it is bent about 90 degrees it will mute 100% - just air, and somewhere in between you can barely hear the pitch which useful.

[@3Dhyana]

I love the recorder and trying to teach myself to play. Your videos are a big help. Is the fingering the same on all recorders?

[@dancouldbeonfirebutheschoo2817]

Here's the ultimate tip for playing soprano Recorder. Just be vibrato 24/7 and people will think you'll sound good even if you squeak

[@cristianczumadewski8805]

Sara! 😍

[@thepianoplayer416]

Great video. A lot of helpful tips... Just a quick question: you mentioned about not playing in bursts. When you are playing other instruments such as a piano or violin, there are ways to distinguish between separate / detached notes as opposed to slurred notes. Do you actually make that distinction on a recorder or do you play different notes as if they are "slurred" notes?

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi, that's a good question! We absolutely do distinguish between notes, not everything is slurred. But it's important to take into account that the air stream and the tongue (articulation) are two separate entities. The air stream is ideally always continuing, and the tongue is turning it on and off, like a tap. In that way, you can always acheieve a nice, supported sound, and shape the notes themselves through the articulation. (As opposed to re-starting to blow for every separate note, which would sound uneven and pushy). And in the end, the range of aticulation on a recorder is incredible - staccatissimo to beautoful legato - as it reacts quickly like no other instrument. Hope that helps!

[@thepianoplayer416]

Thanks for the reply. Last week tried recording myself and sounded like I was breathing in short bursts. Have to experiment a bit to get a good sound.

[@jack14722]

@@Team_Recorder I seem to keep the air stream moving turning it on and off with tongue, but I suspect that I actually stop the air stream in my throat or someplace else without realizing it. Is there a way I can check or test to find out what I am actually doing? The notes I play always sound too disconnected even when I try using very soft tonguing. Thanks for all your wonderful videos and for your help with this.

[@hartegane7202]

thanks for your videos Sarah. Wanted to ask a slightly different question: what is the difference between a flute and a recorder and which one is more suitable to orchestra music?

[@voltronkilledme6652]

I just bought a soprano recorder to learn another instrument (I'm a guitar and ukulele player) but I'm finding it really difficult. I can memorize the notes and chords but I can never make it sound good. I always cringe away and get headaches

[@xiola]

I know it's another purchase, but you could try starting on an alto? It's quite a bit less "shrill", but once you are decent at alto you can transfer all of those skills back to the Soprano! Once you have learned the skills to avoid the headachey squeaking it'll be easier to transition to Soprano with less cringing. The only con with alto is that the holes are farther apart so it's a little harder to begin with if your hands are stiff/small (I found the shrillness of the soprano intimidating, especially since I"m living in an apartment, so I started with the alto - I'm not that good but I've managed to improve the sound a lot (pretty big reduction of overblowing/leaky-finger squeaking issues) in just 3 weeks; while I'm not great, there's far more pretty parts and far less cringey parts than there were less than a month ago which is encouraging!). Although you can memorize the notes, being able to play them is another issue; unlike an instrument like piano, you can't really play any note you want from the beginning because some notes are much harder to play than others - it's really helpful to start with a book that lists the pieces in order of how many notes they require and teaches you one or two notes at a time and learn to get a good sound from those notes AND moving between those notes, before moving to a piece with one more note or more difficult transitions. You can't just use the entire range of notes from the start or it DOES sound terrible and you'll be frustrated; if you play a tune where it's mostly notes you know and only one transition or note that you have trouble with, then MOST of the song will sound good and you just have to work on that one part. Which means less cringing and more enjoyment and a steady progression :) I have one book that begins with left-hand-only (I didn't like this as much, because it has you learning half-thumbhole notes too early; I find the half-thumbhole note FAR harder than the plain right hand notes AND they're more shrill, so IMO it's easier to tackle the second octave after you're comfortable with making nice clear sounds in the first octave?) and another book which begins with both hands but no half-thumbhole notes until it covers the first octave (I'm having better luck with this one). I'd look for a beginner book that says "for adults" or contains some music that you actually enjoy because playing 5-note children's songs is not very satisfying; I bought the suzuki book because while the first half is still full of children's pieces that I'm sick of from my childhood piano lessons, the second half (which is still easy to progress to) has some pretty folk tunes that I haven't heard before and didn't see in the other books available around here, and it has a good skill progression re: note range and difficulty of transitions. (sorry this whole comment is probably uselessly out of date since you posted this a year ago but maybe someone else having a similar problem with soprano can use it... x_x) .

[@vikacvetkova3297]

@@xiola 👌

[@antennaegd2309]

I play tuba I use a lot more air, I got a recorder today and can already play a bunch of songs but for some reason I still have dead air xD

[@antennaegd2309]

I've been playing tuba for a year now :v brass to woodwind isn't always the best choice 😂

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi Zegan - this is an inclusive community, where people can use all the emoticons they want. I don't know why using a smiley would mean you're not 'serious' about the recorder.

[@leanna7185]

I played Tuba since the 6th grade, I'm in college now. I started recorder this year. Breathe like you're going to go above in staff Bb. That's what I do to get over dead air.

[@maxchalmers141]

I play soprano recorder and have played it for 3 years. I only have a plastic one, if I were to try to improve my sound, would it make sense for me to upgrade to a wooden one to get a mellower tone?

[@petertrubody8463]

I was tossing up buying that book

[@Mederic005]

Hi Sarah! :) Do you know hints to improvise "celtic-like" solo? Any licks or effects? PS: Thanks a lot for the tutorial! It is difficult to find online lessons about recorders! I'm very glad that you took the time to do those vids!

[@Mederic005]

- I feel like I'm not able to reproduce the beautiful effects that I hear when I listen to New Age music, for example! Thank you!

[@Erfantabulous00]

Hi, do i breath in a continuous manner and alternate my fingers? or do i match my 'dee' 'dee' with the notes ?

[@SalvatorePiazzolla82]

Please, which Yamaha model is the one you use in this video?

[@diz3944]

I am a trumpet player and I am interested in learning how to play the recorder. Which one do you recommend for a beginner and in what key?

[@Javacindi]

I love my alto recorder but I am having issues with my right wrist twisting to get the correct hand position. What changes can I make or should I just stay with the soprano?

[@penelopegoldberry8305]

Does your recorder have a detachable foot?

[@georgebrock9849]

to avoid dizziness when doing the breathing exercises you might consider using a blowing bag . one inflates the bag and then re-breath the air inside the bag. one works with a metronome, starting with a four count in and a four count out and gradually work with a one count in and one count out. if you do not want to spend the money for for this idea you might consider using a plastic bread bag connected to a 1/2' diameter pvc pipe. as one lives longer you will find it a necessity to work the lungs daily. I did not discover this idea until I started playing sackbut and started working with Elliot Chasinov, the trombone professor at the University of Illinois. He has had asthma since childhood and needed to search out these solutions from the get-go. thanks again to Sarah for all your helpful ideas

[@neettraveller5799]

i have no idea how to play the recorder but i bought one yesterday, do i need to know the notes to be able to play? i really dont like memorizing letters also i bougt some different reed pipe its so much harder to play i like the soprano recorder

[@stefania-eleni1347]

Hi, Sarah! I found your videos few days ago and in the manner in which you put down your ideas I was wondering if it would be possible something little less advanced, but efficient for growing. I'm not an old recorder player, but I'm not a starter musician. I would like to take seriously on the recorder because I'm preparing special music classes with kindergartners and I'd like to offer them, at some point in the lesson, some instrumental moments that would sound good, that would soothe them, something like lullabies. My questions are: I have a Soprano and I don't feel I can get good sounds for what I would like them to hear, so I was wondering whether to buy a Tenor or Alto? Second question would be about studying. It seems to me that I can not relay on only repeating the particular songs I chose to have the good effect which I want on the class. So, I bet you have lots of knowledge and experience on what would mean to get most of a particular scale instead of just playing around with notes, which I feel it doesn't work in a long run. I'm going to start a full 8-9 hours a day job and I would like to have just something for the end of the day so that I feel that I'm improving and also have a little bit of success on little tunes which I want to show off. I'm working already with some pentatonic and pentacordic scales also minor scales, since many lullabies are minor. But it doesn't really matter with which I start, is just how to literally grow with studying. Thank you!

[@Fretfeeler]

I don't read Music very well, but I have been playing Recorder for awhile, and I like to improvise on it in a style similar to a Native American Flute, using a Pentatonic Minor scale. On Soprano, that would be: (C) D F G A C d f g a c d, assuming you want to treat it pretty much like a Native Flute and use similar techniques. Of course you can play some other Pentatonic Minor scales easily, like E Minor, but D Minor is most similar to Native Flute/Tinwhistle, except the "pivot finger" would be your left middle finger instead of the ring finger. Look up techniques for Native Flute and apply them to Recorder, it sounds very similar and very cool.

[@gaetanomarino5495]

Thank You!

[@dieusauveur]

Hello Sarah. I very often watch your fascinating ans so plaisant tutoriels. I am about to buy the two Advanced technique books. Could tout tell me wether they are for both alto ans soprano (exercises, scales...) or mainly for one or the other. Best regards.

[@thehalls9889]

Hi Sarah I'm finding your channel very useful to assist learning my AKAI EWI 4000S. Have you ever played an electronic wind instrument?

[@Team_Recorder]

+The Halls Oh brilliant! Actually yes- I play the EWI, and am planning a video all about it soon :)

[@thehalls9889]

Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder very serendipitous 😀 I'm a keen musician with skill that doesn't match. If you're interested I'd love to hook up and collaborate re some electronic wind instrument content. I'm a technical person and love the potential of the EWI. On a side note I'm seriously considering using flute fingering on the EWI as it is closer to recorder. Any opinion on that?

[@824tjp824]

What is your recommendation for the best, most affordable recorder for beginner students?

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi, I tend to ask my students to get a Mollenhauer dream flute (wooden body, plastic headjoint) as that gives a great sound as is still affordable. To go cheaper but still fine quality, go for a Yamaha plastic one (I hear the 400 series are good but I don't know them yet, I only have the old 300 series). Or the Aura instruments with wooden body and plastic headjoint. Good luck!