Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to play simple tunes on the recorder and understand basic music notation.

Materials and Prep

• Recorder
• Recorder fingering chart
• Printed music sheets with simple tunes

No prior knowledge or preparation is required for this lesson.

Activities

1. Introduction to the Recorder

Begin by introducing the recorder to the student. Show them the different parts of the instrument and explain how to hold it correctly.

2. Learning the Fingering

Show the student the recorder fingering chart and go through each note, explaining where to place the fingers for each pitch. Practice playing the notes individually.

3. Playing Simple Tunes

Provide the student with printed music sheets containing simple tunes. Start with a familiar song, such as "Hot Cross Buns," and guide them through playing it on the recorder. Encourage them to practice until they feel comfortable.

4. Creating Your Own Melody

Once the student is familiar with playing simple tunes, encourage them to create their own melody using the notes they have learned. They can experiment with different combinations and rhythms.

Third Grade Talking Points

• "The recorder is a musical instrument that you blow into to make sound."
• "To play different notes on the recorder, you need to cover and uncover specific holes with your fingers."
• "Music notation is a way of writing down music so that musicians can read and play it."
• "The lines and spaces on the music sheet represent different notes."
• "When you see a note with a filled-in circle, it means you play that note for a longer duration."
• "You can create your own melodies by combining different notes and rhythms."