Recorder First Three Notes Lesson

A soprano recorder (inexpensive plastic ones work perfectly for beginners)

Optional: a fingering chart showing which holes to cover for each note

Hold the recorder with your left hand on top. Your left thumb covers the single hole on the back. Your left fingers will cover the top holes on the front.

Learn B: cover the thumb hole (back) and the very first hole on top (index finger). Blow gently into the mouthpiece, whispering "too" — not blowing hard. Clean, gentle airflow.

Learn A: keep B's fingers in place and add your middle finger to the second hole. Same gentle "too" breath.

Learn G: add your ring finger to the third hole. Now you have thumb + three fingers covering four holes.

Practice each note individually 5-8 times until the sound is clean and consistent: B-B-B-B, A-A-A-A, G-G-G-G.

Now play "Hot Cross Buns": B-A-G (pause), B-A-G (pause), G-G-G-G, A-A-A-A, B-A-G.

Start painfully slow. Speed comes from accuracy, not the other way around.

The number one beginner mistake is blowing too hard. The recorder needs a gentle, steady stream of air — like warming your hands on a cold day, not blowing out birthday candles.

If notes squeak, fingers probably aren't fully covering the holes. Press flat finger pads (not fingertips) over each hole with no air gaps.

Recorders are inexpensive ($5-10 for a Yamaha student model) and are a legitimate stepping stone to other woodwind instruments like flute, clarinet, and saxophone.

Practice sessions should be 10-15 minutes maximum. Short, focused sessions build skill faster than long, frustrating ones.

After "Hot Cross Buns," learn "Mary Had a Little Lamb" with the same three notes: B-A-G-A-B-B-B. Two songs from three notes.