recorder method online : bassf natural
Dr. Brian Blood


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First Octave :: Second Octave: F :: F#/Gb :: G :: G#/Ab :: A :: Bb/A# :: B :: C :: C#/Db :: D :: D#/Eb :: E :: Third Octave


This section gives advice on the following topics:

How To Finger The Note F
How To Tongue The note F


How To Finger The Note F in the Second Octave

The thirteenth note we learn, F in the second octave on the bass recorder, lies on the second line from the top of the bass clef. Click on the play button in the Sibelius score to hear it. Below that we give the standard fingering for this note, the fingering you would use under normal circumstances.


Legend: = hole covered = hole uncovered = pinched thumbhole

Recorder Thumb 1 2 3 4 5 6b
6a
7b
7a
Bell
Bass in F
Contra Bass
  -----left hand------ -----right hand-----

F
standard


Using the standard nomenclature, the fingering for second octave F natural is written 0 2.

How To Tongue The Note F in the Second Octave

F in the second octave is easy enough in itself to play in tune and, with a little care, to play without either forcing the tone or playing too weakly. For inexperienced players the major problem with the note is when coming from the E natural below, where with only two finger holes covered on the instrument in each case, one has to exchange the first and second fingers on their respective tone holes. If you move between E natural and F natural you will see how in important it is to keep the two notes detached otherwise one hears extraneous sounds during the movement of the fingers. The problem of extraneous sounds is addressed by using the alternative fingering for E natural so that now the movement from E natural to F and back again is reduced to the lifting or lowering of the third finger of the left hand alone. If you refer back to the lesson where E natural was introduced you will see that we gave you both the standard and alternative fingerings.

Piece no. 13a gives you the opportunity of trying the alternative and standard fingerings for E natural with the new note F.

Piece no. 13b is a useful exercise using the scale of F major, from the bottom F to the F we have just learned in the second octave.

Piece no. 13c is a useful exercise using the scale of F minor harmonic, from the bottom F to the F we have just learned in the second octave.

Piece no. 13d is a useful exercise using the scale of F minor melodic, from the bottom F to the F we have just learned in the second octave.


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