10 Higher Still

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The Level 2 lessons provide sufficient notes, keys, time signature and rhythms to play most recorder pieces. We conclude with further two notes, to greatly expand the repertoire available to you.

We start with high B, shown below:

It sounds like this:

The fingering is L1, L2 with a cracked thumb (i.e. a high A), then R1 and R2. The note requires a firm airstream, but comes more easily than the adjacent A and G sharp.

Try the high B a few times, when it is working move on to the exercise below:

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The high B has a leger line beneath it. The exercise is slow, so your fingers can land correctly. The breath must be firm throughout, more so than for lower passages with an occasional high note. Eventually you will be able to play this piece with one breath. But not yet. So find places to breathe which don't interrupt the music. For example, after the 3rd note of bars 2 and 3, and after the first note of bars 5 and 7.

To better appreciate the difference between the breath for high and low passages, try the same piece (slightly modified), an octave lower. Use the same backing as above.

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Notice the much lighter airstream for this lower version. The challenge is keeping this light breath steady for the lowest notes.

Return to the very first lesson, and repeat the breathing exercises. Then try the pieces above, this time focussing entirely on your breath, stronger for the high version, lighter for the low version, all controlled by your diaphram.

The final note for Level 2 is the high B flat, or Bb, shown below:

It sounds like this:

The fingering is L1, L2 with a cracked thumb (i.e. high A), then R1, R2, R3. On some recorders, the Bb from this fingering may be a little too high (i.e. slightly sharp). If so, then add "half" R4. Similar to the G sharp from the previous lesson, the right hand swivels slightly away from the recorder so that the right hand little finger (R4) covers a single hole only. The photo above shows the half hole covered.

How to choose which fingering to use? Play a low B flat, then a high one, first with R1, R2, R3, then with R1, R2, R3 and half R4. Choose the fingering whose note best matches the low B flat. If you have trouble telling the difference, play the notes into an electronic tuner (if you have an iPhone or similar device, install a "tuner" app).

Similar to high B, the high B flat is easier to get than the adjacent High A and G sharp.

When you can sound the note, try the exercise below:

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If you are using the half hole on R4 for the B flat (I do), then you may need to adjust the foot of your recorder so that the little finger lands correctly. Similar to the previous exercise, a firm breath is needed for the higher notes. Some of the moves are tricky, for example F to high B flat in bar 5. Practise these jumps individually, then play the exercise.

We finish the Level 2 lessons with an important rhythmic concept: syncopation. This is where the "accent" of a beat shifts. Syncopation often involves two parts together, seemingly out of time with each other, while combining perfectly. Best explained with an example, like the one below from a Corelli trio sonata, here presented as a duet. You play the top part.

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First just try the top part by itself. The symbol on the left (and the score above) is a "fermata", meaning a brief pause. By this stage the notes should not be so difficult. Now try with the backing, which is the lower part. More challenging? Notice how the second part invites you to join its rhythm. As soon as you do the music is wrong.

Syncopations are common, and are a key feature of early and pre baroque music. To manage them you must keep a strict count for your own part. In time you will recognise (and like) syncopations, however they are potential snags. In particular, simple parts like the one above become more challenging when joined with other syncopated parts.

Saving the visit to the library below (featuring the new high notes), Level 2 is done. The excerpt from Corelli was a fitting end. If you've not sought him out, then do so. I still remember the awe I felt when first playing his music as a beginner, more than 30 years ago. Use your skills to explore and enjoy the incredible recorder repertoire. And, most importantly, seek out new friends to share it with.

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Flowers of Edinburgh
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Menuet
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Adagio
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Previous Lesson
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