Instruct students to set up their recorders. If necessary, replay the video Setting Up the Recorder! Allow students to follow along with the instructions presented in the video. Take some time to check each student’s recorder individually, making sure it is set up correctly. Optional: Place a small square of masking tape on the rear side of the recorder, between (and opposite) holes 4 and 5, to indicate where the thumb is placed.

Play a brief game of “Simon Says,” making a point of highlighting the following positions with the recorder:

• Resting Position: Have the children hold the recorder, with both hands in the proper position (fingering the note ‘B’) with the instrument resting on the thigh. (This can be done sitting and standing.)

• Ready Position: recorders in hands, lifted off of the thigh, with fingers in their proper position, but recorder not yet touching bottom lip.

• Playing Position: recorders in hands, with mouthpiece on bottom lip.

3. Use the above game to check that each student is holding their recorder with proper technique, with their left hand on top, and right thumb supporting the bottom of the recorder in the correct position. If a student is using an adaptive tool or instrument, please follow the instructions accompanied with the product.

4. Remind students that they only use a small amount of air to make a beautiful sound on the recorder. If necessary, replay the video How to Blow Into the Recorder and Make a Beautiful Sound, and allow students a moment to participate in the activity, to refine their recorder technique. You may also suggest that students imagine a spoon full of hot soup, which needs to be cooled down using their air. Blowing too strongly results in spilled soup, and too little air means the soup won’t cool down.

5. Remind students that each note they play on the recorder starts with the tongue articulating the syllable “du.” If necessary, replay the video How to Start a Note! (Articulation), pausing the video where appropriate, to allow students to practice the use of their tongue in “articulating” or starting a note. 

6. Ask students to demonstrate the fingers for the note “B.” If necessary, replay the video How to Play the Note “B,” and pause to make sure each student has their left pointer finger and thumb sealing the topmost holes of the recorder’s body, and their right thumb supporting the bottom half in the correct position. 

7. Optional: review the previous lesson’s song, by viewing Learn the B Happy Blues. When students are confident, they can perform with the backing track at Songs to Play: B Happy Blues. 

8. Tell students they are now ready to learn the next note on the recorder: the note “A.” Play the video How to Play the Note “A,” and pause to make sure each student has their left thumb, index and middle fingers sealing the topmost holes of the recorder’s body, and their right thumb supporting the bottom half in the correct position. 

9. Using the notes “B” and “A,” engage the students in a game of “Call and Response.” Start by announcing which note you will be using, then play a rhythm, which students then copy. Remind students occasionally to make sure they are:

• Holding the recorder with their left hand on top and right thumb supporting the bottom half.

• Blowing a gentle stream of air to create a beautiful sound.

• Using their tongues to say “du” at the start of each and every note.

• Using the pads of their fingers to completely seal the correct holes on the recorder.

10. Tell the students they are now ready to learn their next song on the recorder: “Rockin’ About Town.” Play the video Learn Rockin’ About Town!, pausing as necessary to ensure each student is building confidence playing the new song. Repeat any of the above steps as necessary to reinforce understanding and develop routine skills for future lessons.