Students in 4th and 5th grade learn how to play the recorder. The recorder is a flute like instrument from the Renaissance period of music. Today, recorders are made of a durable plastic and have become a useful tool in the music classroom. They are instruments that need to be practiced at home to make progress. We will be using a method called “Recorder Karate”, which rewards students with color coded “belts” and "beads".
While learning how to play the recorder, your child will begin to make practical use of the many musical skills they have already acquired. There is also a sense of excitement as the children extend these skills from their singing voice to their own instrument.
While learning how to play the recorder, your child will begin to make practical use of the many musical skills they have already acquired. There is also a sense of excitement as the children extend these skills from their singing voice to their own instrument.
In 4th and 5th grade, students will play a song on their recorder to receive their "Recorder Karate Belt".
In 4th grade, we usually test every two weeks during music class. The testing allows me to work one on one with each student, being able to hear the sound of their recorder playing and offer helping suggestions to squeaking and other issues.
In 5th grade, we will sometimes test during music class. Students can also test for their "Recorder Karate Belt" by recording themselves playing the recorder with their iPhone/iPad/other device and email the recording to [email protected].
This year, students are able to access sheet music and recordings of the songs on this website under the tab "Recorder Songs". This is a password protected area for copyright reasons. Students will receive the password during the first week of school or feel free to email me, if your child has forgotten the word.
If you need a new recorder, please fill out the bottom portion of the recorder letter and send it back with your child:
| recorder_letter_2022_spring_mills.doc |