Recorder Basics

by Paul Jennings, Teresa Jennings, and John Riggio

Exploring One And Two Notes For Beginning Players

When working with young recorder students, it is helpful to have tunes that feature only one or two notes so students can gain confidence as they grasp the beginning concepts of playing the recorder. This collection offers the perfect opportunity for your students to play engaging pieces that require just the notes A, B, or C and use simple rhythms. This special collection includes:

B is for Butterfly - This is a very lovely tune that features just the note B on recorder.
A Is For Aardvark - Short, sweet, and quirky, this tune uses only the note A on recorder.
Narbert The 'Narly Narwhal - This is a minor rock tune in a roughly blues form. Working alongside the great rock band is a full orchestra, giving Narbert a sort of sound track for his own little movie. Students play along using the notes A and C.
B A Rock Star - "B A Rock Star" features the notes B and A and is ideal for beginning players as it's simple to play, but flashy enough to make them feel cool.
B A Dancing Zombie - For this piece, we have caught the flavor of a familiar tune that students might know, and we created a new, tongue-in-cheek version that they will love to play while needing to use only B and A to join in.
B A Rascally Robot - Rascally robots are celebrated in an energetic, mechanical rock tune that should be lots of fun for your beginning recorder players.
B A Marching Monster - With this piece, we are transported into a cool, old black-and-white monster movie, complete with theremin and eerie sound effects. Recorders only play B and A, but they have plenty to do.
B A Galactic Explorer - This easy tune is ideal for beginning recorders using only the notes B and A. It has a heroic theme reminiscent of big screen space epics with great scores. Young performers will feel like they are part of a real orchestra.
Fright Of The Blunder B - Bonus Song! - This wacky adaptation of Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral interlude from the opera The Tale of Tsar Sultan is a perfect way for your students to have a little fun while learning the note "B." With synthesizers as well as guitar, bass, and drums, your students are sure to enjoy this rock style tune.