Intro to Recorder Karate

Recorder Care Label your recorder & case with a permanent marker After playing wipe the inside of your recorder with a pipe cleaner. This will keep disgusting things from growing inside You can wash your recorder in the dishwasher or warm soapy water, once in a while. Make sure you take your belts off first! Keep your recorder in your case when you are not playing it.

Holding the Recorder Left Hand (LH) on top –Thumb covers hole on back –Fingers cover top 3 holes –Never use pinkie Right Hand (RH) on bottom –Thumb on back to balance –Fingers cover bottom four holes Cover holes completely with pads of fingers Fingers slightly curved Hold recorder at 45 o angle (toward knees)

Placing in Mouth Mouthpiece on bottom lip in front of bottom teeth –don’t bite on it! Only tip in mouth Press down gently with upper lip –(“mmmm”) Breathe through nose –Do not open & close mouth as you play

Blowing into the Mouthpiece Softly, steady air stream, not too hard Blow like steaming up a car window, with no sound Direct air straight out, not down

Tonguing or “Articulation” Tongue is valve that stops and releases air –Tongue touches roof of mouth to stop air –Tongue releases down to let air out Like saying the word “tu” Play notes with and without tonguing to discover difference

Squeaks Squeaks are caused by 2 things –Blowing too hard (steamy window trick) –Leaks (check for circles on pads of fingers)

B

A

G

Repeat What I Play

Phrase 1

Phrase 2

Phrase 3

Phrase 4

The Whole Song

Links for Help Recorder Karate Dojo – Fingering Chart – Streaming Audio – –Username is “karate.” See Mrs. White for the password.