In many cases, the recorder is the first musical instrument that music students learn to play. The recorder is particularly suitable as an introductory instrument for beginners because it is inexpensive and relatively easy to learn. After a short introduction, simple songs can be learnt in just half an hour.

 

The flute is held in front of the mouth with the left hand. The thumb of the left hand covers the hole on the back, the left index finger covers the top hole on the front. The musical instrument is loosely supported with the right hand. If you blow through the mouthpiece with your fingers in this position, gently and evenly, the note B sounds.

Now cover the second hole with the middle finger of your left hand. A total of three holes are now covered. This is the note A.

A fourth hole is now covered with the ring finger, namely the third hole from the top. This is the note G. Now you can try to play all three notes (B, A, G) one after the other to get used to the sequence and the sound.
Exercise: B A G breathe; B A G breathe; G G G G breathe, A A A A breathe, B A G breathe.

With these three notes you can already play a simple song (Mary had a Little Lamb) :
B A G A breathe B B B, A A A breathe, B B B breathe, B A G A breathe B B B breathe A A B A breathe G (hold and count to four).

With practice, you get used to the notes and tone sequences and can gradually play more difficult songs. The best way to do this is to obtain a complete fingering chart. Basically, the fingers of the left hand lie on the upper holes, those of the right hand on the lower holes.

Simple sheet music can be found in music shops or online. After playing the flute, it should be cleaned and dried with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Fingering of the first octave on the recorder. Top hole: thumb; middle three holes: left hand; bottom four holes: right hand. The note labelled "B" corresponds to the German "B", "Bb" = "B".