My six-year-old daughter has been asking to learn to play the recorder this week, so we pulled out my husband's old recorder, dusted it off, and let her practice on it. But when I checked online to find a good fingering chart to print off for her, I only found ones that were either interactive (i.e. not printable), too simple (only the natural notes), too complicated (multiple fingerings for each note), or too many pages.
So, as I've often done before, I decided to make my own.
Some Caveats About the Chart
The chart I designed does not include every fingering possible for each pitch; nor does it include all the notes that can be played on a standard recorder (it covers only the octave and a half from middle C up), but it's all my daughter will need for now.
Additionally, the fingerings I chose may not necessarily be "official" since I used the fingerings that would work best for her little fingers and still produce a good pitch. But if you know me, I like to buck the system a bit, so if the fingering works, why not use it. Right?
Download
You're welcome to download the PDF here for your personal use. You can also click on the image below to view the JPG full size and print from that, but you'll get a better-quality print with the PDF.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Your talents never cease. What a gift you are to your children. Awesome.
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Thanks for the chart. I was just having the same problem. I couldn't find an easy to understand printable chart. This is perfect.
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Thank you!! Leave to a great mom — not only to make her own, but to share it with others!! Exactly what we needed
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thank you so much for this. My oldest whated to learn to play and had even picked up some songs by ear. I, like you, was looking all over the place for an easy to read chart. Your's was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a bunch
Kelly W´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Sharing a good book
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Thanks! I was having the same problem until I found your website!
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Hi. This is fantastic. I was having the same problem. I have to teach a class of varying adult ages students the recorder. I need to keep it simple, as they are all at different levels. This is exactly what I need. Thank you so much.
Allison´s last blog ..Teaching First Aid to Kids
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Thanks. Playing the woodwinds for more than 30+ years, I was kind of lazy to learn new fingerings for another instrument. Glad I finally learned. Now I can play the recorder parts to 'Stairway To Heaven." I mean, come on' doesn't anyone who plays recorder yearn to play the parts to that great song? Well, I have, for the past 20 years.
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I found your chart very helpful. I needed a printable chart as well and could not found one until I found this site!
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I just found my recorder from 40 years ago to play at a 'pick up' Christmas concert orchestra this week. Your fingering chart saved the day for me….couldn't quite remember all of the fingering and the chart is perfect. Thank you!!!
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Joy Reply:
December 12th, 2009 at 9:09 am
@Jeanne Landin, So glad it came in handy for you!
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Thank you so much for the easy-to-read fingering chart! Just what I needed, and could not find anywhere else.
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Thank you for the chart. I got a recorder recently but did not get a chart.
Thanks again,
Ken
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