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Recorders Classroom Essentials

Recorders Classroom Essentials

Are you looking to start or expand your recorder program? Look no further than West Music’s Classroom Essentials Guide where we’ve got the basics on where to begin from the ground up. Check out our favorite recorder resources and teaching ideas below.

Recorder Resources

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Your network or browser security settings may be blocking the products from loading (to confirm, try opening this page on your phone's cellular network).

Please try the following options to proceed with your order:

1. To place your order over the phone, call us Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm CST at 1-800-397-9378.

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3. Contact your IT team to ask them to whitelist js.klevu.com.

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Recorders in the Music Classroom

Recorders are commonly an addition to a music classroom as part of the instrumentarium. Recorders are a good starting point for teaching about wind instruments, breath control, and musical notation, and they provide a unique sound that can be combined with piano, voices, barred and percussion instruments.

Recorder Voicings

Recorders come in a variety of voicings and ranges. The most commonly used voicing is the soprano recorder for elementary. Adding other voicings, such as alto, tenor, bass, sopranino, and garklein recorders, expands the students' musical experience and provides a more expanded approach. Adding more voicings also creates a more blended sound and an opportunity for more of an ensemble setting.

Recorder Packages

A Recorder Package provides students with an instrument and a method book with melodic and rhythmic exercises, as well as complete songs to play and perform. Method books allow students to practice at home and grow their skills on the recorder.

Recorder Accessories

Recorder Accessories such as thumb rests and neck straps can also enhance students' recorder playing. Thumb rests allow better hold and support when playing and performing. Neck straps can also provide some weight support, especially if using the bigger recorders such as alto, tenor, or bass. Storage bags are also available to organize recorders for each class and keep them somewhat separated when stored.

Recorder Resources

Recorder Resources Materials such as method books for students or curriculum books for teachers help to guide the learning process. Student books help to guide learning and teach musical notation. Teacher books provide lesson ideas, outlines, and teaching strategies that can serve as a starting place for recorder instruction. They can also help to be a springboard for more creative work with recorders for more student-owned learning.

Author: Aaron Hansen