Piper's SongbookHow to play high C♯ on recorder
Leave the thumb hole open. Cover holes 1 and 2. Leave holes 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 open.
high C♯ is written in the third space from the bottom, with a sharp. It is also called C♯ and D♭. The fingering shown is for a soprano (descant) recorder with Baroque fingering.
Which finger goes where
| Hole | Finger | For high C♯ |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb hole (back) | left thumb | open |
| 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 high C♯
Take the thumb off and cover holes 1 and 2. It sounds a half step above C and a half step below high D.
This fingering is the same on Baroque and German recorders.
Songs that use high C♯
Whiskey in the Jar7 notes: B, A, D′, F♯, E, D, C♯′Brahms' Lullaby8 notes: B, A, G, D′, F♯, E, D, C♯′Hickory Dickory Dock8 notes: B, A, G, D′, F♯, E, D, C♯′Joy to the World8 notes: B, A, G, D′, F♯, E, D, C♯′The First Noel8 notes: B, A, G, D′, F♯, E, D, C♯′Three Blind Mice8 notes: B, A, G, D′, F♯, E, D, C♯′Swan Lake6 notes: B, G, D′, E′, C♯′, F♯′Battle Hymn of the Republic8 notes: B, A, G, D′, F♯, E′, C♯′, F♯′
Learned before it: high G · Next note to learn: F · Half step down: high C · Half step up: high D · Full fingering chart