2.7 Descant Recorder

• Techniques of playing a descant recorder: fingering, pinching, slurring, embouchure, tonguing, blowing
• Fingering chart notes G, A, B, C, D, E, F-sharp and high G (G1)
• Melodies in G major on the descant recorder
• Performance directions: repeat, da capo al fine, dal segno al fine
• Technique poster for descant recorder playing

• explain techniques of playing a descant recorder
• interpret performance directions on given pieces of music
• perform simple melodies in G major on a descant recorder
• value playing music on the descant recorder or any other Western solo instrument

“What is the importance of applying technique when playing a descant recorder?”

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1. Why recorder technique matters
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Name the six Grade 8 descant techniques and say why a melody fails without them.
2. Hold, embouchure and blowing
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Place the left hand on top, seal the mouthpiece with the lips, and blow a steady warm stream.
3. Tonguing and slurring
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Start notes with a light tu, and join slurred notes with one tongue and changing fingers.
4. Fingering G, A and B
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Read a fingering chart and play G, A and B with the left hand, pads sealing the holes.
5. Pinching and the rest of G major
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Pinch the back hole for the upper register and add C, D, E, F-sharp and high G from the class chart.
6. The G major scale on descant
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Play G major one octave, tongued then partly slurred, linking 2.4 melody work to the instrument.
7. Repeat marks
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Interpret repeat barlines so a short G major piece is played the correct number of times.
8. Da capo al fine and dal segno al fine
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Map D.C. al Fine and D.S. al Fine on a printed piece, then play the correct path.
9. Perform a G major melody
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Perform a short G major piece on descant (or another Western solo instrument) with technique and printed directions.
10. Technique poster and valuing the recorder
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Make a teaching poster of the six techniques, G major fingerings and directions, then care for the instrument.