1. Why should I purchase these recorder books rather than the others on the market?
Most of the recorder method books that I have seen are too overwhelming and frustrating for children. (Or they are too simplistic and insult the intelligence of children by assuming that they are incapable of learning to read music.) They contain low C and some very high notes that are difficult to produce. They also contain many accidentals (sharps and flats). I saw a need for a method book that was limited in scope yet musically interesting. Learning just the 9 easiest notes is attainable. Duets are interesting and it is so much more fun to play two-part songs. It is socially rewarding and musically challenging. This is a great value with 2 or 3 times the material of many beginning books plus you can make your own play-along CD for free! Print out 5 sample pages from the beginning of the book to see if this method is right for you.

2. Why is the recorder squeaking or playing way too high?
There are two possible reasons for this problem. a) You are blowing too hard. Recorders only takes a little air to produce a good sound. b) Some holes may not be covered completely.

3. I can’t make a low sound when I try to play low D. What am I doing wrong?
Low D is a bit tricky when you are just starting. You can play high D very easily, while using the correct fingering for low D, by blowing too hard and/or aiming your air stream high. I like to tell people to tuck their chin down slightly and try to aim the air stream so it hits the underside of the recorder. Think LOW for low D.

4. Why is high E harder to play?
With high E, think about aiming the air stream high. The thumb hole is not really half covered; instead, put your thumbnail into the hole, leaving a little sliver opening. Another thing that will help is to puff your cheeks just a tiny bit. The songs in Part 11 of The New Nine-Note Recorder Method  contain high E in the top part but the second part never contains high E. This allows those who are not ready for high E to play all the duets.

5. My recorder sounds bad. Why does it sound like I’m playing the wrong note?
Cheaper recorders ($1 to $5) are notorious for being out of tune. Buy a decent recorder like Angel or Yamaha that retail for around $10-$20 and you’ll be much happier with the quality of music you make.

6. Can I skip the method book and start playing the Christmas or hymn duets?
Yes, you can if you read music and play recorder already--although you’ll be missing some wonderful duets, classic melodies, children’s songs, and common Christmas carols not found in any of the supplemental volumes. If you don’t already have these skills, the method book is set up so you learn 3 notes and play songs to reinforce that learning. Then you continue learning a new note or a new rhythm in Parts 2-10 and the bonus section.

7. I am a classroom teacher on a tight budget (or I have a large family and we have a tight budget) and I can’t afford to buy enough books for everyone. Can I make copies?
These books are copyrighted and it is illegal to make copies. Five pages are available for you to copy and there are other samples of music available on this site for you to print. The print is large enough in this book for 2 or 3 people to easily share a book. So most families only need one book--perhaps 2 for large families if everyone wants to play together. Classrooms, home school groups, and others may place a group order to get a discount of 30% on orders of 10 or more books or 40% on orders of 20 or more books. You may order any combination of titles to qualify for the volume discount. Click here for other suggestions for schools.

8. I don’t read music. Will I be able to do this?
Yes, The New Nine-Note Recorder Method is especially designed for children and adults with no musical background or training. This web site with its rhythm lessons will be very helpful. You may listen to each song in this book to become familiar with it and to tell if you are playing it correctly. People who thought that they could never have the pleasure making music have told me that this book was easy enough to open the doors to music to them.
 

9. What is a good age to have my children start playing recorder?
That really varies. One indicator for readiness is if the child can read then he/she will probably be able to read music. If the child is too young or learning to read is a struggle, then learning to read music may be frustrating unless the child has a strong desire. I would teach interested 5 and 6 year olds to play Mary Had a Little Lamb and Hot Cross Buns by rote. Eight to ten is generally a good time to start but I know seven-year-olds who enjoy playing--at least duets with the first six notes. Schools often use recorder in 4th grade, although some start one year earlier or later. It is better to offer recorder for at least two consecutive years --there is plenty of material in this method book for two years. Older students (grade 6 or 7 and up) and adults usually find this method very easy and experience great success with it.

10. I’m a classroom teacher. I have been using recorders with German fingering since attending a music workshop where the instructor recommended German over Baroque because it has simpler fingering for F natural. Why do you recommend Baroque recorders?
Baroque fingering is the standard for virtually all recorder players. You are doing your students a favor when you have them use Baroque models--especially if they continue with the recorder. To play alto, tenor, or bass recorder, you must know the Baroque fingering system. True, the fingering for F natural is a bit awkward on a Baroque. However, The New Nine-Note Recorder Method never uses F natural--only F sharp. This is still a bit clumsier than the F natural fingering on a German model but it is not bad. Another reason that I chose to use F sharp only is that it makes learning B flat and low C unnecessary. Both of these notes are hard. The nine notes that I chose to include in this method were selected after careful thought of how to keep this book as simple and easy to use as possible while providing interesting and diverse music.

11. Can you give me information on where I can order a one-handed recorder for a student who only has a left hand?
I found these web sites that might be helpful. They also apply for people who are missing one or more fingers.
http://www.rhythmband.com/aulosrec3.html (scroll down almost halfway and you'll see a special Aulos recorder for about $15)
http://www.flutelab.com/fotos/blok/blok.htm
http://www.dolmetsch.com/goldseriesrecorders.htm

12. I’m confused about alto and soprano recorders. Which one is best to learn?
Or should I learn both?
An alto recorder is larger and therefore lower pitched than the soprano. You should learn one or the other thoroughly. Once you have mastered the instrument of your choice, you should set it aside for several weeks while you learn the other. Trying to learn C fingerings (for soprano or tenor) at the same time as F fingerings (for alto or sopranino) is extremely confusing and not recommended. Children generally start with soprano recorder because it is smaller and the holes are comfortable to a child’s hands. Children with larger hands and adults sometimes choose to learn alto first. Alto is more pleasing to the ear. One is not harder than the other. The difficulty occurs when trying to get your mind around both fingering systems.

13. Tell me about yourself and why you wrote these recorder books.
I graduated from college in 1979 with degrees in Elementary Ed. and Music Ed. One of my favorite college classes was a music theory class that emphasized composing. I dreamed that some day I would write a book of easy flute duets. When my first child was nine years old, I wanted to teach her a wind instrument, in addition to her piano lessons. I decided that recorder was the best option but I was disappointed in the available beginning books. They were too difficult and fast-paced with lots of high notes and accidentals and little practice material. Or they didn’t teach standard music-reading skills. And I wanted a book with lots of duets because I wanted to play with my child and duets are SO fun. Since there was nothing on the market that suited our needs, I decided to develop a new method. This was back in the early 1990’s. The project has evolved greatly over the years. I’m very please with the 2nd edition of The NEW Nine-Note Recorder Method, published in June 2005. Several people asked me to write a companion volume so they could learn more notes. BEYOND the Nine-Note Recorder Method fills this need by presenting 12 more notes. These two books are now available in an ALTO edition. I have another web site about home education and the Charlotte Mason approach at www.pennygardner.com.

If you have other questions or need some advice, please e-mail me.  --Thanks, Penny