R is for Recorder

This square is so perfect.

I started them in grade one on a recorder that only had one hole which meant the recorder only played two notes. There were three versions of that recorder so in all we had six notes we could play. I could conduct them to play when I pointed at them and you would be surprised with how many songs you can play with only six notes.

We progressed to a pentatonic recorder and finally by grade three to a diatonic recorder.

In grade six we all learned the alto recorder.

In grade seven and eight we had all four recorders available to us - soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

We played renaissance music in four parts.

This class was so keen on recorder that at recess time, when left on their own, I would come back into the classroom and they would be standing around a student's desk playing four part songs together on their recorders.

One student started to bring in music from other places - christmas carols for one, and they would sight read their way through it.

This is one of my fondest memories of these fourteen year olds. They were cool. They could be tough. They were definitely teenagers and uber fashion conscious.

But, what did they like to do in their free time in the classroom when they could be gossiping, or playing cards?

They played early music in four parts on their recorders.

What's not to love?