4th Grade Recorders

How exciting! We have started playing recorders in 4th grade. Call me crazy, but this is one of my favorite times of the year in music class. I love the excitement of the students as they begin to learn their instrument. Not only does the recorder provide students an excellent way to learn to read staff notation, it is also a GREAT preparation instrument for those students who may join an instrumental ensemble in middle school. Learning to play the recorder takes patience, discipline, time management and responsibility. All of these are skills that will help the students in whatever path their lief may take them in.

Here is what we learned about playing position

1. Left hand on top and right hand below (right thumb on black dot).
2. Rest your recorder on your lip with the mouthpiece just past your teeth.
3. Create a seal with your top lip and blow SLOW, WARM air.

We have also started to learn the fingering positions for 3 notes on the staff.

Below is the first song that we did in class.

We will be focusing on the letters B , A , G this year in music class. Students will be learning songs in class, but they will also be working on earning 'belts' for their mastery of a specific song or technique. These songs will be in addition to songs that we do in class. I will introduce them in class, but its up to the students to practice them at home. This is an OPTIONAL assignment for students that want to further their recorder playing. If students get 5 belts they will earn an ice cream sundae party with Mrs. Porretta!