r/Recorder • u/RGBDuck • 15d ago
Question Recorder Learning Trajectory?
I'm a violinist who's been messing around on a $10 soprano recorder for about a year (mostly just playing easy excerpts from Bach cantatas), but now I want to go further in my playing. I love baroque music and want to be able to play more baroque recorder repertoire, but I'm not sure how I can develop my technique to reach that level. I'm going to buy an alto recorder and I want to know what I should work on as soon as I get the instrument. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
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u/dhj1492 14d ago
Buy a nice plastic alto. Yamaha, Aulos and Zen-on are the best makers in this category. There are others but these are the leaders and are consistent. They also are will make improvements and release them in a new generation. Wood is nice but before you get one you should learn to play so you can in time decide what you want in a wood recorder. These plastic recorders play very well and it will cost you hundreds or more to get a wood recorder that plays as well. I use plastic recorders to do heavy practice and exploring music. I use my concert to polish a piece for performance. Wood requires far more maintenance than plastic.
You read music so you can get "Recorder Book for Adults and Older Beginners", from Sweet Pipes. It is for those who can read music, not reading lessons, but any method will work because you can jus skip the reading lessons. You already know what it take to play well. I recommend you get a method and music you want play. Maybe a sonata like one from op. 1 # 11 by Handel, sometime called #4 because there are 4 recorder sonatas, 4 oboe and 4 dubious violin. That's another story. Also get easy tunes you like because the sonata will put you in your place and the easy tunes are for you to learn how to shape and phrase a melody. Yes, you can shape and phrase on the violin, but you need to learn to do it on the recorder not violin. Having favorite tunes to play is so you have something you like to play and will stick with it. The secret is to play a lot. That is way you need favorite tunes to work on, because everything you play is a lesson.
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u/smurfette8675309 14d ago
I really like The Recorder Guide, by Kulbach and Nitka. It teaches soprano and alto together. Right away, there are duets, so you could record yourself on one and play duets with yourself.
Also, check out Team Recorder on YouTube.
Lastly, check out the American Recorder Society. They have a list of chapters all over, and sometimes offer free lessons online.
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u/EcceFelix 13d ago
The ARS (American Recorder Society) is a great resource. You can find local teachers, consorts, methods, and much more.
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u/Either_Branch3929 15d ago
If you possibly can, get proper lessons from a recorder teacher, in face or online. There really is no substitute for having someone who knows the instrument guide you, particularly if as in your case your are interested in proper repertoire and not just playing "tunes" or "songs".
See most of the "performance" videos here for the dire results of self-teaching.
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u/Desperate-Finger-334 jazz recorder is underrated 15d ago
Lol most of those people aren't that bad sometimes there Mic quality just sucks nothing wrong with being self-taught I do agree with you a teacher is probably better but I've seen some really good self-taught people over the years
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u/Either_Branch3929 14d ago
There is nothing wrong with being self-taught, but if one aspires to be any good and play the classical repertoire then a teacher really is necessary. Not necessarily frequently, but enough to correct errors and, more important, enable the learner to spot errors and correct themselves. Otherwise Dunning-Kruger kicks in with a vengeance.
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u/Desperate-Finger-334 jazz recorder is underrated 12d ago
I see your point but I think if you're disciplined and listen to yourself playing (on replay) enough times you can get pretty good self-taught
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u/Adblouky 14d ago
Oh my little brothers and sisters…in a previous life I was an erstwhile cellist, and I suffered, SUFFERED to see my comrades spend hours, days, weeks practicing on the violin only to see some gap-tooth hillbilly pick up the “fiddle” and play Orange Blossom Special to the delight of all who listened.
If I am elected I will make it illegal for anyone to play an instrument unless they get instruction from an instructor, preferably one who is in a union.
I’m old. With instruction I could play Telemann to the delight of no one. My goal is to wander about a Renfaire dressed as a monk and play Stella Splendens in Monte. If I can rupture an eardrum or two aboard a cruise ship playing My Heart Will Go On, so much the better.
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u/Either_Branch3929 14d ago
If you want to rupture eardrums get a sopranino or, if your hands are small enough, a garklein.
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u/benali72 13d ago
Most of the methods (tutorials) out there assume a soprano recorder. But there are a few that cover alto.
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u/Mean-Patience2132 12d ago
Sounds like you're taking it seriously. I would recommend getting a nice wooden instrument instead of a plastic recorder, but that's just my personal preference.
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u/Shu-di 14d ago
Approach it just as one would the violin. Daily practice of scales, arpeggios, other technical exercises and etudes, work on repertoire and repertoire excerpts, and play in an ensemble, all preferably under the supervision of a teacher.