Hi All,

This is my first post so a little about me. I've just purchased an Aulos 309A at the recommendation of John Everingham at Saunders Recorders. I'm nearly 60 years old and this is my first attempt at playing a woodwind instrument. I'm really keen to learn but don't read music.

I would like some advise from you experienced folks on what recommendations for books or web sites on learning to read music particularly with respect to the treble recorder.

Any advise would be gratefully received.

Best Regards,

Chris

Hi Chris and welcome to the forum

Come and join the merry band of recorder players.

I'm too tired to help much but the Dolmetsch website is a fountain of knowledge for all things recorder related.

I'm sure others will help you far more. Enjoy your new hobby.........warning though recorders have highly addictive properties and a nasty draining effect on your bank balance........the folks on here whilst really friendly and helpful are all under the spell and will actively encourage you into turning an innocent hobby into an obsession

Hello and welcome
John Everingham is great isnt he It's a shame the shops gone

I think the Brian Bonsor books are good for adult starters. You could try "Enjoy the Recorder" Treble Tutor Book 1. What part of the country are you in? If you are close to Saunders recorders then I can point you in the direction of a sympathetic , very patient, teacher in Bristol.

Welcome to another recorderer

When I started teaching myself the recorder, I used mainly this site. It's pretty good, I think, but the dolmetch one is probably a bit better.

If you can, see if you can get a teacher because you will develop bad habits otherwise (Been there, done that, got the t shirt and am still trying to correct some habits after over a year's worth of lessons).

I downloaded some stuff from here when I started:
http://www.buyrecorders.com/Recorder_Methods.htm

There are a couple of online "courses" you have to pay for but plenty of free samples. Also have a look at the recorders for sale.

If you let us know roughly where you are, there might be a recorder group of some sort close to you.

Postscript. Aagh. I've just spotted a secondhand Sand Dalton baroque oboe on the site. Want it!!

Thank you all for your helpful replies.

I have already caught the recorder "bug" and I can't help look at all the other recorders that I might buy in the future. I must disipline myself and consentrate on my Aulos treble for now.

Cheers for now.

Welcome to the band of recorder players here cjt. My advice is to please please please get a half a dozen lessons first and then carry on teaching yourself. I have met lots of self taught recorder blowers, some who play other woodwind instruments, and either they have glaring gaps in their techniques or they play with a technique that would be more suited to another instrument. A teacher will show you the essentials, teach you a lot about reading music and point you in the right direction for further study at home. Lessons aren't just for youngsters. Have fun.

...and amongst other ways of finding teachers, do contact your local SRP group (Society of Recorder Players) : they may well have suitable teachers in their ranks.