Recorder Method and Technique Books, Part I

March 2025

Recorder Method and Technique Books, Part I: A 2025 Update for Beginning and Intermediate Players

By Beverly Lomer

The recorder is often regarded as relatively easy to learn, which can be true and not true at the same time. A plethora of methods and technical studies is available for learning to play. The original version of this ARS NOVA article appeared in 2019, “Some Things Old and Some Things New in Recorder Methods and Technique Books,” and provided a short synopsis of methods and technique manuals that were positively reviewed by teachers and others. Because new materials are now available, and some older editions not included previously continue to be valuable resources, this article serves as an update for players at beginning and intermediate levels. A second article, available to ARS NOVA readers next month, will focus on more advanced techniques and ornamentation.

The original methods reviewed included the following time-tested publications:

“The Recorder Guide” by Johanna E. Kulbach and Arthur Nitka
“The Best Recorder Method – Yet?” by Albert Gamse
“Basic Recorder Technique,” by Hugh Orr
“Sweet Pipes” by Gerald Burakoff and William E. Hettrick.

Three newer editions were also described in the 2019 ARS NOVA:

“An Introduction to Playing the Recorder” and
“A Continuing Course in Playing the Recorder,” both by Jennifer L. Anderson
“Method for Descant Recorder” by Ludovica Scoppola.

Recently, Manfredo Zimmerman and Felicitas von Schierstaedt published '“In C”' A Guide to Playing the Recorder for Adults.” This is an eBook in PDF format with sound files. It is a comprehensive method for learning the soprano or tenor that is designed specifically for adults. It covers the entire range of recorder playing from holding the instrument, fingerings, articulation and explanations of a number of musical elements such as trills, hemiola, scales, arpeggios and others. While the absence of a printed edition might be a drawback to some, the eBook format is becoming increasingly appealing to many recorder players who are now playing from tablets.

Recorder Technique and Etudes

As far as technique is concerned, the original article reviewed the following:

“95 Dexterity Exercises and Dances for Recorders in C and F” by G. Rooda
“Finger Exercises, Warm-Ups and, Technical Exercises and Articulation Etudes (2 parts)” by Aldo Abreu
“Methodische Etüden” (Methodical Etudes), a chromatic study for C and F Instruments by Adrian Wehlte
“Between the Lines” by Joel Levine, a melody-based set of etudes

Because there is a wealth of etude and exercise studies for recorder, it is difficult to select just a few. I will begin with three newer mostly generic ones, while next month’s ARS NOVA will discuss melody-based studies and also review some manuals that deal with ornamentation, which is a different technical skill. The etude collections listed below are generally accessible to intermediate and advanced players:

“Etudes on Seconds and Thirds” by Angela Salvaggione is designed for intermediate level students. It is composed of a large number of not difficult study pieces in various easier keys. The emphasis is on assisting students with tricky finger placement in these intervals.

“Exercises for the Alto Recorder, Mostly” is by Héloise Degrugillier. It consists of 20 exercises that cover a wide range of technical challenges and is accessible to players at all levels. Some examples of the topics she includes are: articulation, finger control, cadences, hemiola, alternate fingerings, coming out of a tie on time, fast notes.

“Twelve Etudes” for alto recorder was created by the well-known artists Frances Blaker and Letitia Berlin. This book also covers a range of subjects, some of which are not commonly found in other studies. Examples include titles such as: Sweet Sixths, Open Throat, Flowing Air Intermediate and Advanced, Breathing and High Notes.

In conclusion, there are many wonderful and varied resources for recorder study and practice. In the spirit of recorder study that recorder expert Bart Spanhove discusses, considering practice as an activity in itself, it can be transformed from a necessary task to a truly rewarding experience.

The ARS website offers a guide to recorder methods and technical studies that have been reviewed in “American Recorder.” These suggestions are a sampling of what is available to recorder players. Several ARS Business members offer method books for sale. The ARS website contains a dedicated link to Reviews of Methods and Technique. Resources for more advanced players and those interested in ornamentation will be described in next month’s ARS NOVA.

Brief bibliographic information about the publications described in this article follows:

The Recorder Guide

Authors: Johanna Kulbach and Arthur Nitka

Publisher: Music Sales America, 1992

The Best Recorder Method - Yet!

Author: Albert Gamse

Publisher: Ashley Publishing, 1996

Basic Recorder Technique

Author: Hugh Orr

Publisher: Berandol (DER1021), Release date 1961

Sweet Pipes Recorder Book

Authors: Gerald Burakoff and William Hettrick

Publisher: Sweet Pipes (SP02367), 1980

An Introduction to Playing the Recorder, and

A Continuing Course in Playing the Recorder

Author: Jennifer L. Anderson

Available in print and PDF download at www.HowSweetTheSoundStudios.com, both published in 2015.

Method for Descant Recorder

Author: Ludovica Scoppola

Publisher: Ut Orpheus (UT.DM-79), 2018

"In C”: A Guide to Playing the Recorder for Adults, Volume I

Authors: Manfredo Zimmerman and Felicitas von Schierstaedt, translated by Gail Schwarz

Publisher: Books on Demand, 2021.

95 Dexterity Exercises and Dances for Recorders in C, and

95 Dexterity Exercises and Dances for Recorders in F

Author: G. Rooda

Publisher: Alfred Music, 1991

Finger Exercises, Warm-Ups and Technical Exercises, and Articulation Etudes (Parts I and II)

Author: Aldo Abreu

Publisher: Aldo Abreu, 1993, 1996, 2002, and 2009

Methodische Etüden (editions available for both C and F recorders)

Author: Adrian Wehlte

Publisher: Edition Floeno

Between the Lines

Author/Composer: Joel Levine

Publisher: Girolamo, 2014

Etudes on Seconds and Thirds

Author: Angela Salvaggione

https://angelapiano.com/etudes-on-seconds-and-thirds, 2022.

Exercises for the Alto Recorder, Mostly

Author: Héloïse Degrugillier

Self-published, 2019. Email heloise.degrugillier@gmail.com

Twelve Etudes for Alto Recorder

Authors: Letitia Berlin and Frances Blaker

Lost in Time Press LIT033, 2017/2018. Alto. 12 pages. $10

www.lostintimepress.com

Beverly Lomer is an independent scholar and recorder player. Her research interests focus on the works of early women composers. She is the editor of the transcriptions of the music of 12th century composer and abbess, Hildegard of Bingen, that are found on the websites of the International Society of Hildegard von Bingen Studies and IMSLP. She has a special interest in playing recorder from original Renaissance and medieval notations and is a member of the performing ensemble of the Palm Beach Recorder and Early Music Society, A Merrie Noyse.

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