2.6 Descant Recorder

• Descant recorder: parts, hold, breath, hygiene
• Factors when interpreting staff: key signature, time signature, note values
• C major key signature (no sharps or flats) on recorder
• Time signature 2/4 on recorder pieces
• Note values and tonguing on the descant recorder
• Sight-reading simple C major melodies on recorder
• Playing a piece in C major
• Performance directions: dynamics (loud and soft)
• Performance directions: tempo (fast and slow)
• Performing with directions; appreciating C major playing

• outline factors to consider in interpreting melodies on staff notation
• sight read simple melodies on descant recorder from staff notation
• play a piece in C major on a descant recorder
• perform simple melodies on a descant recorder observing performance directions
• appreciate playing music in C major on the descant recorder

“What is the value of sight reading music?”

“Why are performance directions important in music?”

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1. Hold the descant recorder
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Name the parts, hold left hand on top, use gentle air and tu tonguing, and keep a shared mouthpiece clean.
2. Factors on the staff
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Outline three factors before playing: key signature, time signature and note values.
3. C major key signature
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   C major shows no sharps or flats. Play F as F. The empty key signature is information, not a blank.
4. 2/4 on the recorder
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Keep two crotchet beats in every bar while playing. Tongue tu tu; a third crotchet is still not 2/4.
5. Note values and tonguing
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Tongue minim, crotchet, ta-te and rests on the recorder so the third factor (note values) is audible.
6. Sight-read on recorder
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Sight-read a short C major 2/4 line at first look: see factors, think fingers and tu, play through. That is the value of reading.
7. Play a C major piece
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Play a prepared short piece in C major and 2/4 on the descant recorder, ending on C. Slow until fingers and tongue agree.
8. Loud and soft
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Dynamics: f loud, p soft. Change air, keep holes covered and in tune. Directions tell the feeling of the page.
9. Fast and slow
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Tempo is the speed of the pulse. Fast or slow, 2/4 still holds two beats. Fast must not eat ta-te.
10. Perform and appreciate
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Perform the C major piece observing dynamics and tempo. Appreciate a named factor or direction. Close both inquiries.