This Site Uses Streaming QuickTime Movie, Shockwave, MIDI, and JPEG Files
  You must have QuickTime 7 or higher, Flash Shockwave installed in your computer, and a sound card to be able to use most of the features in this web page.  Also, if your browser is configured to use Windows Media Player,  Winamp, or other MIDI player that loads outside of the page to play MIDI files, you will be able to see the sheet music at the same time as hearing it.  If you are using Quicktime, the MIDI files will load in a new window that will cover up the sheet music.

  All MIDI and sheet music files can be saved to your computer by "Right Clicking" on the links in Windows, and "Click-Holding" on them in Macintosh.

  This Rainbow Recorder Club is designed to be a place for the beginning to intermediate recorder player to learn the basics of their new instrument.  As you grow in ability, your skills learned on the recorder are transferable to many other instruments like the flute and saxophone.

Holding Your New Recorder
  The recorder is held with the right four finger pads covering the bottom four holes.  The right thumb is used to hold the recorder on the back side.  It doesn't cover any holes.  (Note that the bottom two holes are usually double holes.  More about that later.)  The left hand is closer to your mouth.   Your left thumb flat fingerprint pad (not the tip) covers the thumb hole on the back.  Only the first three left fingers are used to cover the remaining three holes.  Any fingers used must cover the hole tightly and completely.  Leaks cause squeaks.

Blowing the Recorder
  When you blow in to the recorder, it must be done gently.  Think of saying the word, "too".  But, don't say it.  Just use the tongue position that you would have for saying "toooooo".

The Notes and Music
  Use the Shockwave "Note Games" to learn the notes on a music staff, and how to make them on your recorder.  Your Soprano Recorder (the most common kind) has a full two-octave chromatic range that goes from Middle C on the piano, to the C two octaves higher with all the white and black notes in between.  You will be able to see the notes on the staff and a fingering diagram for each note, and hear the sound that is produced for that note.  Start with the "C Major Scale".  That will give you most of the notes you will need for many beginning pieces.  As you progress, try the "D Major Scale".  The "Advanced Note Game" will teach you how to make all of the notes that the recorder is capable of making.  (note:  The Shockwave Note Game files are very large, and can take 30 seconds to a few minutes to load depending on the speed of your connection and computer.)

Please also check out my violin site used by students of all ages and other string teachers all over the world!
http://www.mrfiddle.com