5 Tenor Middle C

[five_sixth]
So far we've met three notes, G, A and B. Now we introduce "middle C", so called because there is also a low and a high C, which come later. Middle C uses two fingers only, LTh and L2, as the picture shows.

It sounds like this. If you've been able to get the other notes so far, then this one should also work. Don't forget to cover the hole on the bottom with your thumb.

Now try this exercise. Notice the mix of eighth notes (quavers), quarter notes (crotchets) and half notes (minims).
[/five_sixth]
[one_sixth_last] [/one_sixth_last]

[five_sixth]
It sounds like this

How did you go moving from B to C? Here two fingers are in motion. L2 goes down while L1 goes up. Try playing B then C a few times. There should be a smooth transition, any messiness is likely due to fingers not moving together. In particular, the finger coming down may be slightly ahead of the one going up. Many recorder note changes involve fingers moving up and down at the same time. So we should begin by getting this one right. Practise until it is.

Now try this exercise. Notice that a group of four eighth notes (quavers) is joined with a single line.
[/five_sixth]
[one_sixth_last] [/one_sixth_last]

[five_sixth]
It sounds like this

[one_fifth]

[/one_fifth][one_fifth][/one_fifth][one_fifth][/one_fifth]
[one_fifth]          Backing only[/one_fifth]
[one_fifth_last]

[/one_fifth_last]

Notice that in each bar the C note repeats while the other notes change. Baroque music often has repeating note patterns like this, where one note stays the same while others change

So far we have introduced the eighth note (quaver), the quarter note (crotchet) and the half note (minim), each indicating a different length note. However music is not just continuous notes, there are pauses as well, known as "rests". In particular there is a eighth note (quaver) rest, which has the same length as an eighth note (quaver). Likewise a quarter note (crotchet) rest and a half note (quaver) rest. Look at these two bars, containing eighth notes (quavers) followed by eighth note (quaver) rests
[/five_sixth]
[one_sixth_last] [/one_sixth_last]

[five_sixth]
It sounds like this

Notice that single eighth notes (quavers) have curved lines attached to them. Previously we saw pairs of eighth notes (quavers), joined at the top. After each eighth note (quaver) we have an eighth note (quaver) rest, followed by a quarter note (crotchet). Listen again to the track. Can you hear that each eighth note (quaver) is half a beat, followed by a half beat (or quaver) rest.

Now look at the next two bars. The first one has two quarter notes (crotchets), each followed by a quarter note (crotchet) rest, indicated by a squiggly line. The second bar is a half note (minim), followed by a half note (minim) rest, indicated by a small block on the third line of the stave.
[/five_sixth]
[one_sixth_last] [/one_sixth_last]

[five_sixth]
It sounds like this

The rests add as much to the music as the notes which they separate. In these lessons you will learn to count rests accurately.

You will have noticed a pattern to the lessons. A new note, some exercises with it, new music notation and a tune to finish. The exercises are particularly important, and are the musical equivalent of gym routines. Your workouts will become more demanding as the lessons progress. Stick with them, the results will show.

Now we visit the music library. Watch out for the rests in the tunes for this lesson. Also you'll notice a " ' " above some of the bars. Take a quick breath at these points, without losing time.

[one_sixth]
Stairwell
[/one_sixth]
[one_sixth]
Bright Morning
[/one_sixth]
[one_sixth] [/one_sixth] [one_sixth] [/one_sixth] [one_sixth] [/one_sixth] [one_sixth_last] [/one_sixth_last]
[divider]
[/five_sixth]
[one_sixth_last] [/one_sixth_last]
[one_sixth]
Previous Lesson
[/one_sixth]
[one_sixth]
Next Lesson
[/one_sixth]