Ever needed a recorder fingering chart because you lost the one that came with your recorder?
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 downoad the free PDF Recorder Fingering Chart 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.
Wow, this is fantastic! I am using this for a homeschool co-op class I just was asked to instruct. I am isolating each fingering chart and inserting them into the songs above the typed words so the kids can visually learn the song even before reading the notes on the staff. At the end of the class, I will give them the entire chart to keep. They are really excited and can play three songs after only two weeks. Thank you so much for posting this!
@Sabra, Point of clarification: I meant I am isolating each individual fingering graphic, sizing it to fit my document and inserting them above the corresponding words to the songs I am teaching.
@Sabra, Shoot, I just noticed the copyright. Would you please grant me permission to do this?
@Sabra, Sure, you are welcome to use it for your homeschool co-op class. 🙂
@Sabra, Thank you! I wasn't sure if you'd mind me dissecting and using it in my handouts. I must say, everyone is impressed with how pretty your fingering graphics look, I am too. It's so exciting that even the littlest ones can understand what to do when they look at it. I think the color scheme helps to differentiate better than black and white (at least it seems easier on my eyes.)
Just wanted to leave my sincere thanks for sharing your work. I'm helping my daughter learn her first instrument and this is helpful.
I got this to play songs to my little 3 year old nephew he loves music
Just the chart I need. My children learned recorder at school. I am a great grandmother now so I think it is my turn to try and learn
thanks so much . i was looking everywhere and this was my last stop
🙂
Your fingering chart is so well done. I have a music education background and was a flute major. I have played recorders in the past, and currently have an alto, but am trying to get some fingering help for a friend who just bought her first instrument. I noticed that there are baroque style recorders. Will these fingerings work for a wooden soprano recorder which has the definition of Baroque or just the student models which usually are plastic?
@Marjorie, I honestly have no idea 🙁 These work for the plastic student models, so whatever type of recorders those are considered, these fingers I'm sure would work.
Thank you so much!
We move around a lot and my son has missed all the introductory music classes at his previous schools that teach basic fingering for the recorder. Now in 5th grade, all the other kids have had the classes and he says he just makes up his own notes…. The teacher offered to sit down with him during recess and teach him, but what fun is missing recess? Hoping your chart and a little practice over the holiday will give him a boost.
Thank You!
My daughter picked her recorder up and I happened to find your page. Thank you so much. Very easy to read!
Thanks. I have a question. My son is trying to learn Irelands National Anthem on the recorder himself for the local Hibernians. "A Soldier's Song". When do you use the hole on the back of the recorder? Thanks.
Joy,
Thank you for the fingering chart. My sister and I decided to bring out some recorders from storage and needed the extra sharps/flats. Your fingering chart will solve our problems! From another homeschooling family, thank you so much for sharing your work with us all.
Sincerely,
Julia
Thanks.. I plan on having some fun with this.. See what I remember.. if ANY…
Very KIND of you to HELP out…