The bottom piece should be turned so the hole is slightly to the right when viewed as you would play it. Some recorders, typically those used in schools, are only one piece.

The back side with one hole should face you. The front side should face away from you. Do not bite the mouthpiece or allow it to touch your teeth.

If you blow too hard, you will produce a sharp, unpleasant sound. Blow more gently in order to produce a musical sound. Breathe from the diaphragm and make sure you blow evenly. It will help to keep the sound consistent.

If the note does not come out, or it squeaks, make sure that your fingers are fully covering the holes, and that your fingers stay flat. Another reason it might squeak is because you’re blowing into it too hard. Keep practicing B until you are comfortable with it.

For example, the B note you just played would be represented on the fingering chart as follows: 0 1 - - - - - - The numbers represent the holes that are being covered, while the dashes represent the holes that remain uncovered. In this instance, the 0 indicates that your thumb is covering the hole on the back of the recorder, while the 1 shows that your left index finger is covering the first hole. [7] X Research source

To play A: Use the same positioning as for a B note, but this time place your left middle finger on the second hole from the top. The fingering chart for an A note is: 0 12 - - - - - To play G: Use the same positioning as for an A note, but this time place your left ring finger on the third hole from the top. The fingering chart for a G note is: 0 123 - - - - To play C’: Cover the back hole with your left thumb, then place your left middle finger on the second hole from the top. The fingering chart for C’ is: 0 - 2 - - - - - To play D’: Leave the back hole uncovered and place your left middle finger on the second hole from the top. The fingering chart for D’ is: - - 2 - - - - -

To play E: Cover the back hole with your left thumb, cover the top three holes with your left index, middle and ring fingers, then place your right index finger on the fourth hole from the top and your right middle finger on the fifth hole from the top. The fingering chart for an E note is: 0 123 45 - - To play D: Use the same positioning as for an E note, but this time place your right ring finger on the sixth hole from the top. The fingering chart for a D note is: 0 123 456 - To play F#: Use the same positioning as for a D note, but this time remove your right index finger from the fourth hole from the top, leaving all other fingers in place. The fingering chart for an F# is: 0 123 - 56 - To play F: Place your left thumb on the back hole, the index, middle and ring fingers of your left hand on the top three holes, the index finger of your right hand on the fourth hole, the ring finger of your right hand on the sixth hole, and the baby finger of your right hand on the seventh hole. The fingering chart for an F is: 0 123 4 - 67 To play C: When playing a C, all seven holes are covered. Your left thumb will cover the bottom hole, the index, middle and ring fingers of your left hand will cover the top three holes and the index, middle, ring and baby fingers of your right hand will cover the bottom four. The fingering chart for a C is: 0 123 4567

Mary Had a Little Lamb: B A G A B B B A A A B D’ D’ B A G A B B B A A B A G Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: D D A A B B A G G F# F# E E D Auld Lang Syne: C F F F A G F G A F F A C’ D'

B A G A B B B A A A B D’ D’ B A G A B B B A A B A G

D D A A B B A G G F# F# E E D

C F F F A G F G A F F A C’ D'

The fingering chart for Bb is: 0 1 - 3 4 - - - The fingering chart for C#’ is: - 12 - - - - - You can practice these semitone notes by playing a little ditty called Baa Baa Black Sheep: D D A A B C#’ D’ B A, G G F# F# E E D

Use a diaphragmatic vibrato. Control the flow of air into the recorder by tightening and contracting your diaphragm. Say, “heh heh heh” but do not cut off the flow of air entirely. Use a tongued tremolo. Say, “yer yer yer yer yer yer” using your tongue to control the airflow. Use a finger vibrato. While not being a very practical choice for a sustained vibrato, this method is commonly referred to as a trill. Alternately finger the note and the next higher note. Do not tongue each note, but rapidly play an A B A B A B A sequence.

Plastic recorders can be washed in the dishwasher or in a sink with warm soapy water. Take the pieces apart before washing and be sure to rinse all the soap off. The mouthpiece can be cleaned with an old toothbrush or pipe cleaner. Let your recorder dry completely before playing again. For wooden recorders, disassemble the recorder and carefully wipe the moisture off the inside with a soft cloth.

If water has accumulated in the windway, completely cover the window at the top of the recorder with the one hand and exhale forcefully into the windway. This should clear out any excess moisture. If clogging persists, you can clean the windway by mixing one tablespoon of unperfumed dishwasher detergent with three tablespoons of water. Pour this cleaner into the recorder, either through the window or at the bottom, and leave it to sit in the windway for a moment before draining. Allow the recorder to dry completely before you play it again. [12] X Research source