Piper's SongbookHow to play B on recorder
Cover the thumb hole. Cover hole 1. Leave holes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 open.
B is written on the middle line of the staff. The fingering shown is for a soprano (descant) recorder with Baroque fingering.
Which finger goes where
| Hole | Finger | For B |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb hole (back) | left thumb | covered |
| Hole 1 | left index finger | covered |
| Hole 2 | left middle finger | open |
| 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 B
B is usually the first note anyone learns: cover the thumb hole on the back and hole 1 on the front, both with your left hand. Blow gently, start the note with a soft "doo", and keep the other fingers close to the holes.
This fingering is the same on Baroque and German recorders.
Songs that use B
Hot Cross Buns3 notes: B, A, GMary 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♯, DTaps4 notes: B, G, D′, D
Next note to learn: A · Half step down: B♭ · Half step up: high C · Full fingering chart