I Can Play That Tune on My Recorder - Level 4

It is strongly recommended that learners have completed one-time or multi-day courses in the I Can Play series of lessons at level 3 before attempting this class.  If learners have not attended these classes please note this level 4 class expects that learners can play recorder and understand how to play most notes in the recorders range, understand rhythm and basic time signatures, and read music.  I understand that not all learners will know fingering for all notes, guidance will be given where necessary.

This class is an opportunity to practice playing different genres of music, with more complex rhythms.  Learners will be encouraged to talk about the music before playing it, discussing the notation, use of dynamics, rhythm etc.  Learners will clap the rhythm to get a feel for it before playing.  After assessing the music, learners will tell the teacher any notes they do not know, these will then be taught - it is expected that learners should know most fingering positions but sometimes we forget and it is possible that some learners have never needed to play certain notes before.

The tunes are ordered in a rough order of difficulty - to successfully progress it is recommended that learners practice between classes.  A minimum of 5 - 10 minutes a day should be sufficient.

Week 1- We will start in America for a folk song - Red River Valley.  This song has uncertain origins and can go under several names and variations depending on where it is sung.  It is thought to originate in about 1870 in Canada however the earliest written manuscript mentions place names in Nebraska and Iowa.

Week 2 - Inspired by the 'New World' Dvorak composed his Symphony No.9 From The New World.  We will learn to play an extract from the 2nd movement - Largo.  This is probably one the most recognisable pieces of classical music.

Week 3 - As we sail the ocean to Austria we will learn to play a popular sea chants - What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor - this is thought to date to the early 19th century.   A sea chanty is a type of traditional folk song that was once sung as a work song to accompany rhythmical labour on board large merchant sailing vessels. 

Week 4 - Finally we will learn an Austrian Waltz  - The Blue Danube - possibly the most famous waltz ever written, this popular piece of classical music was composed by Strauss in 1866 and is inspired by a poem about The River Danube.