Piper's SongbookHow to play high D on recorder
Leave the thumb hole open. Cover hole 2. Leave holes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 open.
high D is written on the fourth line from the bottom. It is also called D and D′. The fingering shown is for a soprano (descant) recorder with Baroque fingering.
Which finger goes where
| Hole | Finger | For high D |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb hole (back) | left thumb | open |
| Hole 1 | left index finger | open |
| 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 D
High D uses one finger: cover hole 2 with your left middle finger and take the thumb off the back. Moving between high D and C, keep the middle finger down and move only the thumb.
This fingering is the same on Baroque and German recorders.
Songs that use high D
Rain, 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′Taps4 notes: B, G, D′, DAmazing Grace6 notes: B, A, G, D′, E, D
Learned before it: high C · Next note to learn: F♯ · Half step down: high C♯ · Half step up: high E♭ · Full fingering chart