Piper's SongbookHow to play A on recorder
Cover the thumb hole. Cover holes 1 and 2. Leave holes 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 open.
A is written in the second space from the bottom. The fingering shown is for a soprano (descant) recorder with Baroque fingering.
Which finger goes where
| Hole | Finger | For A |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb hole (back) | left thumb | covered |
| Hole 1 | left index finger | covered |
| Hole 2 | left middle finger | covered |
| Hole 3 | left ring finger | open |
| Hole 4 | right index finger | open |
| Hole 5 | right middle finger | open |
| Hole 6 | right ring finger | open |
| Hole 7 | right little finger | open |
Tips for a clean A
Cover the thumb hole and holes 1 and 2. A is one finger away from B, so practise B, A, B, A until your middle finger moves without the others.
This fingering is the same on Baroque and German recorders.
Songs that use A
Hot Cross Buns3 notes: B, A, GRain, Rain, Go Away3 notes: A, C′, D′Mary Had a Little Lamb4 notes: B, A, G, D′Go Tell Aunt Rhody5 notes: B, A, G, C′, D′Jingle Bells5 notes: B, A, G, C′, D′Lightly Row5 notes: B, A, G, C′, D′When the Saints Go Marching In5 notes: B, A, G, C′, D′Ring Around the Rosie4 notes: B, A, F♯, D
Learned before it: B · Next note to learn: G · Half step down: G♯ · Half step up: B♭ · Full fingering chart