10. How to play Low C on tenor recorder and how to slur

Fingering for Low C

Photo for fingering Low C. Note that all holes are closes. Also, thumb hole is completely closed.

Low C is easier on Aulos 211A-E compared to Yamaha YRT-304BII.   This is the Aulos 211A-E keyless tenor recorder

Standing.  If the low C fails to sound. It usually is because, either the 5th, 6th or 7th hole is not completely closed. Even the smallest leak will cause the low C to fail to sound. Another factor is the blowing. It should be very gentle and very light. It is easier if you do not articulate when blowing the Low C. Just blow out with a steady gentle breath - without articulation.

"Home Sweet Home" - the song for practising the low C. 

 

Note that there are slurs in the song, e.g. E - F slur below. To play this slur. Blow on the E note then change finger to the F note within the same breath. Do not blow twice.

And C - B slur.  Blow on the C note, then while still blowing out, change to the B note fingering. 

Watch the video for demonstration on how to play Low C, and  how to do slurs.

9. Low D and Red River Valley

Fingering for Low D

Photo of fingering. Note that all holes are closed except the 7th hole (RH4)

 

"Red River Valley" practice song which incorporates low D and other notes I have covered so far

 

Watch the video

8. Low E and Little Brown Jug

Below is the fingering chart for Low E

The photo showing the fingering. T covers the hole completely. LH1, LH2 and LH3 covers holes 1,2 and 3. RH1, RH2 covers holes 4 and 5.

The song for practising low E. It is called "Little Brown Jug"

Watch the video tutorial

7. Low F and Shortnin' Bread

Below is the fingering for low F

Next is the photo showing the fingering. Note that this is the Baroque fingering for low F, for Baroque recorders. I am using Baroque fingering recorders.

Next is the song I am using for practising this new low F note. It is called "Shornin' Bread"

Watch the video lesson

6. High D and When The Saints Go Marching In

This is the fingering for the high D note. Note that the thumb hole is open.

Next is the pic showing the fingering for high D. LH2 (Left Hand Finger 2) closes hole 2. Thumb hole is open.

This is the practice song that incorporates the new high D. It is called "When the Saints Go Marching In"

Watch the video tutorial here

5. How to play tenor recorder : Blowing and articulation

Below is the position of the mouth in relation to the beak. Only a little of the beak touches the mouth. Do not put the entire beak into the mouth.

Try to shape the mouth to silently make the sound  "TU" and blow into the recorder, but do not voice the sound. Do not make the TU syllable explosive. Make it gently.

Start every blow with the sound "TU", and continue blowing.

Articulation helps to control the breath and also provides a distinct start to the note.

So relax and blow gently.

Watch the video

4. Note middle C and Bohemian Folk Song

This is the fingering for middle C

Here is a photo of the fingering. LH2 (Left hand finger 2) covers hole 2 and T (Thumb) covers the thumb hole completely.

This is the practice song for the new middle C. It is called Bohemian Folk Song

Watch the video tutorial

3. Notes B, A, G and Merrily We Roll Along

This is the fingering chart for the note B

Here's the picture of how note B is fingered. LH1 (Left finger 1) closes hole 1 and TH (left thumb) closes thumb hole completely

This is the fingering chart for the note A

And this is the picture of how the note A is fingered. LH2 is left hand finger 2.

Next is the fingering chart for the note G

And the picture for fingering note G. LH3 means left hand finger 3.

And this is the song for practising the new notes B, A and G. It is called "Merrily We Roll Along"

Watch the video lesson