Recorder Music Mail

This is a new method (2012). The pupils books include 'enhanced' CDs with demo and backing tracks and also the piano accompaniments in pdf format. (You will need to 'explore' the CD to find these.) The material is 'up beat' and well performed on the CD.

Book 1 covers naturals D to D in the lower register, with F# (no F natural), note values and (rests), semibreves, minims and crotchets, common time and articulation.

Book 2 adds bottom C and F natural (low and high), C#, B flat, quavers, 3/4 time and everything else needed for Grade 1 examinations.

These books are very colourful and the pupils books include CDs. The material is good and varied, a mixture of 'real' music and jingles making teaching points. The approach is 'cool' and the 'star' status of a boy recorder player marks this method as refreshingly different. The background notes and suggestions in the teacher's book to go with the recital pieces are interesting and constructive.

This series has been re-vamped with more tunes and coloured pictures. Book 1 is the least changed, with Book 2 and Book 3 progressively more different. There are matching books for teachers and pupils books with a bundled CD. (The CDs are good!)

The immediately previous versions, styled "New Edition" because they replaced the original, remain available, some with a "Classic Edition" sticker. They have blue and brown rather the black print. All the musical examples are the same as the first edition. I no longer hold stock of all the superceded versions. There are no new versions of the other titles.

There is now a full colour version of Treble Recorder from the Beginning. It is very different from the previous edition. (See below.)

The New Full Colour Treble Recorder from the Beginning book retains some of the original tunes and includes treble and descant duets. It ends with a clear full fingering chart for descant and treble recorders. While primarily aimed at young descant players moving to the treble it includes enough theory to be suitable for those (usually adults) who are playing the recorder for the first time. Both will find the material valuable and the presentation attractive.This edition deserves to be a 'winner'.

A new, lively, modern method which does not dumb down.

Pictures, duets, animals, games, and projects in economic black and white.

The two books cover bottom C to high G, with F#, Bb and C#, all very clearly and accurately presented.

Old MacDonald's Recorder Book
by Peter Wastell

A method from the author of the excellent Learn As You Play tutors.

Pictures, duets, animals, games, in full colour, for younger beginners.

This method is unlike any other. It explores all aspects of sounds produced by the recorder and includes games and theory.The books are very colourful and interactive. Experienced teachers will find it a very welcome change.

Avoid the first choice fingering for Bb ! It is of very little use on the descant, but works well as an Eb on F recorders. Teachers should acquire a copy of the commentary. The Tune Books include a separate piano part

Beware the erroneous idea in the first edition of fingering low F optionally with the little finger! Following strong representations the 2nd printing and the website have been altered.* Some notes in the pieces have been changed too. You can identify the new printing of books 3 and 4 by the presence of my name in the acknowledgments.

The set of four books covers a lot of ground. If you are not already musically literate you will find it raises questions which are not answered in the books. The material is modern and has a positive approach to unconventional sound production in a similar way to "Fun and Games", (from Schott & Co.). Access to the web site would be a real advantage.

* I do not favour the presentation of any alternative fingerings at this level. My advice is that non-specialist teachers should adopt the first choice fingerings set out in the leaflet provided with a new recorder. The chart provided with "Aulos" recorders is excellent.

This is the "Ant and Bee" of recorder tutors. Pictures (to colour), a story line, good tunes, musically sound. Love it or hate it! Special order only now.

"A practical music resource for Primary KS3, focusing on the recorder, complete with CD, photocopyable flash cards and pupil pages." This Yamaha publication has been put together by my former colleagues in the Avon County Music School. It is all very sound and aimed squarely at the mixed ability junior school class. It does not cover much ground, but what it does cover, it covers very well.

This publication is no longer available but I may be able to help you if you have a CD problem.