Hi, i want to start teaching myself recorder now as i have only messed about on it previousely. But i would like to know if there are any bad habits that can easily slip into playing. If so what are they as if i am aware of what they are i will be able to try and make sure i am not doing them.

Thanks in Advance

Ben

Incorrect fingerings e.g. leaving off finger 7 for a low B flat (treble)/F (descant), wrongly fingering a low E flat (treble)/B flat (descant)

Using alternate fingerings too much e.g. thumb 2 3 instead of thumb 1 for a low E (treble)/B (descant)

Hi Ben
do not bite your recorder
Ben.

OOOps i'm guilty of playing the f without the 7th finger will bear that in mind Thank you

you MUST have your RH at the top

I think you mean LH!

W

yes I do sorry and thanks willobie

Lol fatal mistake to make!!

I had a weird habit of having my recorder positioned off centre in my mouth - it was actually commented on on one of my exam mark sheets! It didn't make a difference in my playing, just looked bad but it's sorted now - always central nowadays!

Holding the recorder too low also is bad, project your sound! Don't play to the floor, it's not listening.

I'm guilty of poor fingerings/'cheating' fingerings on occasion.

I also frequently want to use clarinet/flute fingerings on recorder.

Ben

Ben gives good advice there.

Ben

Nothing wrong with playing like that - I know some top players who hold their recorders well off centre!

I'm not a top player, but I do hold my recorder slightly to the right of centre, largely because my lower jaw and the line of my teeth is not symmetrical. It doesn't affect my ability to play.

Thumb technique is also difficult to get right, especially teaching yourself. Also the split hole notes on low Ab treble/Eb descant.

Woah...

It certainly doesn't......

Thumb technique is a tricky subject as there are different ways. But yes, a possible difficult area when teaching yourself.

Using the split holes in chromatic scales can also be tricky if you're not careful.