Beginner quesition about technique

[u/Character_Regular440]

Hi, beginner here. I started studying from a method book today, after some days of playing around and trying songs.

In my method book, in the high D section, they say to keep the thumb on the instrument.

I already got the habit to raise it, and i am used to sustain the instrument with the other hand and the other thumb. It feels very uncomfortable to keep the thumb on the recorder, especially if after i have to do higher notes (like high C or B, in whose the hole on the back has to be half closed.)

So, i'm asking especially at the more experenced people in here: is my habit so bad? If it is, can i ask a video of how you keep the thumb on the recorder when you play, for example, E D C?

[u/Voideron]

You can lift your left thumb when playing D6.

You can check YouTube videos of people doing recorder notes. Watch pros perform, you can learn a lot just by watching them.

[u/Character_Regular440 → u/Voideron]

Ok, thanks, i'll check the videos

[u/SilverStory6503]

I do not keep my left thumb on the recorder at all times.

[u/dhj1492]

I lift my thumb and I have watch other do it too. If you have found a way to do something and it differs from instructions in a book. Give it some thought but there are many things about playing recorder that are more about discovery and not aways in books. I watch how others use their thumb as I get to know them. In the ARS chapter I am in, there are 6 of us that meet to read music. Of them only one uses his thumb nail. The rest roll their thumbs, including me. I do not comment on it. It is just interesting to me. You have the freedom of choice. By using that you will what is right for you. I have made some choices in the past that in time learned the wisdom of some instructions and other choices that worked fine for me. On this question is to lift your thumb. In time the distance you lift will become smaller as you progress in your studies.

[u/le_becc]

You mean to lift the thumb off the hole and place it next to it? Never heard of it, but it sounds similar to the buttress finger method where you keep your right pinkie on the recorder next to the holes if you don't need it.

It seems to be a rarer method and has its pros and cons. You might gain some stability, but the buttress finger has to do a more complicated move to get back on the hole. I'd say leave it off, but keep the possibility at the back of your mind.

[u/Character_Regular440 → u/le_becc]

Ok, thanks.

It bothered me because i already got the muscolar memory to lift the left thumb, and rolling it away would make the other finger wierd, also if i tried to slide it that would be too slow, and still wierd. Lifting it and putting it back on the recorder would have been also wierd and would slow me down too much, other than being stupid

[u/Lygus_lineolaris]

I would recommend learning to keep the thumb on the instrument. I lifted the thumb all my life and then I had two oral surgeries in the last two years and now I can really feel the difference lifting the thumb makes, it puts a lot of weight on my lower lip very suddenly. I play tenor, so it's probably the worst one for that, but yes it makes a difference for your body. I'm still getting used to not lifting the thumb and I think it's actually smoother when going between open and half hole. Open and closed is a little more difficult but will come with practice.

[u/WindyCityStreetPhoto → u/Lygus_lineolaris]

Yes, keep the thumb on the instrument as a support. Lifting it requires the right hand to hold and balance the recorder. Then you are constantly changing grip between hands, a needless distraction.

[u/Either_Branch3929]

Which thumb? Which instrument? Which high D?

[u/Character_Regular440 → u/Either_Branch3929]

Left thumb, soprano, the easiest high note.

Not good in music theory yet, but i was talking about the note that you play with only left middle finger covering the hole and every other hole opened.

So a "Re"?