recorder method online : treble/altoa natural
Dr. Brian Blood


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First Octave :: Second Octave :: Third Octave: F :: F#/Gb :: G :: G#/Ab :: A :: Bb/A# :: B :: C


This section gives advice on the following topics:

How To Finger The Note A
How To Tongue The Note A


How To Tongue The Note A

The twenty ninth note we learn, A in the third octave on the treble (alto) recorder, lies above the fourth leger line above the treble clef. Click on the play button in the Sibelius score to hear it. Below that we give the standard fingerings for this note, the fingerings you would try under normal circumstances.


Legend: = hole covered = hole uncovered = pinched thumbhole

Recorder Thumb 1 2 3 4 5 6b
6a
7b
7a
Bell
Sopranino
Treble
  -----left hand------ -----right hand-----

A
standard


closed

Using the standard nomenclature, the fingering for third octave A natural is written X 2 3 5 6a 6b with the bell closed, where X indicates a pinched thumb or vented thumbhole.

How To Tongue The Note A in the Third Octave

Like A flat, this note would be considered by most treble/alto recorder players to be outside the instrument's normal range. The fingering charts supplied with most recorders do not supply this fingering. This is a shame because the fingering is easy enough to learn and easy enough to play. Having already played high A flat in the third octave just slur up to A by closing the bell, using your kneee pressed up against the end of your recorder or by closing a specially fitted bell-key which is can be fitted to your recorder by Dolmetsch. The note speaks easily if enough air is supplied by the player.

You are now ready to play piece no. 29.