With the move and two jobs, I didn't get to go to class much and practice was non-existent for three months BUT now I'm back in practice, been going to class and I even got to be the star pupil one week.
Weirdly, I finally picked up the soprano last week and suddenly the low register is no problem at all.
It proved to be harder than I thought but I am getting the lower register. I am surprised at myself. I have only missed one day of practice (the recorder was in the car). I often lose interest in something that requires practice if I am the only one doing it.
I figured it out! The professor had mentioned that some people play with their fingers flat over the keyholes but it had felt weird on the alto. On the soprano, however, it's perfect! The problem is that it isn't easy to get perfect closure with your fingertips. The flat part works perfectly - no squelching at all!
Cool. I've seen those online but never a real one. But they sound pretty neat.
I had one that looked like this, but it had less holes in it. Apparently that company doesn't make the model I have anymore. Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is what got me interested in playing an instrument.
Anyway, since Heartsablaze started his piano thread I thought I'd start my recorder thread.
I've had a soprano recorder for ages but never got very far trying to figure it out alone. I noticed recorder classes at the local senior center ( I am just barely old enough at fifty, thankyouverymuch.) and decided to take one. Well, they are working on alto recorders which I can't yet afford but I got to sit in and try on someone else's. Since I never played a wind instrument (percussion rules!) I hadn't known what I was doing wrong. But I picked up a few pointers that made a world of difference.
I've been working on soprano (different fingering) with a lesson book I'd picked up a few weeks earlier at a library sale. I'm doing pretty good. having issues with the lower register but I think I'm getting it. The noise is recognizable at notes and I can tell a big difference.
I still love percussion but I admit I now wish I'd tried woodwinds way back when - my sight reading is a LOT better.
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