Below are just some of the teaching/learning resources  that Orpheus Music stocks to help with  learning the recorder. The range of teaching resources is extensive, and ideally if you are teaching the recorder you would have several options available that you can choose between to suit your students age, style of learning and to keep things fresh for your lesson plans. 

If you are not sure which recorder to start learning  click here for our guide on which recorder to choose. 

For a full list of teaching resources click here. 

Some tutor books may have wonderful teaching methods, but out of-date information on fingering patterns. It's always best to have an updated finger chart available when learning the recorder. 

Descant/Soprano & Tenor Recorder - C Fingering

For more descant tutor books click here. 

Children from 4-6 years

For this age group, the most essential features are having the basics of notes and rhythms introduced with songs that are memorable, using captivating musical images with big notation. Here are a few suggestions to start with: 

My first recorder book - a very popular descant tutor with catchy tunes and musical recorder games that engage very young children - based on the Kodaly method for young children. 

Kodaly for little people - another very popular series as it has catchy tunes and musical recorder games that engage very young children. 

My Recorder workbook - featuring big note presentation and large, easy to follow diagrams. Combines reading and playing the recorder with writing the notes. Aimed at really young pupils.  

BAG of tunes - A collection of pieces that only use the first three notes of the soprano/descant recorder B, A and G. 

Recorder Roundabout - the complete first year of learning the descant 

Children from 7-12

Recorder from the Beginning by John Pitts Series - these books are ideal for children learning recorder at school. The various different components of the series use well-known songs to engage students. The notation is big for younger children.  

Fun and Games with the recorder - this is one of the most popular series, as it was created by recorder professionals, using music from right across the recorder repertoire. It is filled with fun educational games and pictures. If you are looking for the most up to date descant tutor this series is for you. 

Abracadabra Recorder - one of the most popular teaching manuals with popular graded songs for primary school aged children. 

Recorder Playing in Colour - one of the newer recorder teaching books, this popular series was created with the aide of coloured notes for children. This is ideal for classroom teaching, with lots of fun pieces, pictures and musical activities. The series continues with several other books.

Progressive Recorder Method book - this fun manual has lots of Australian animals and pieces. Ideal for classroom teaching. 

Cool Cats - This is more of a resource for classroom teaching, with fun jazzy pieces to engage students learning the recorder for the first time. 

Adults and Teenagers

Each student and/or teacher will have their own preference when it comes to their learning style and musical background. Below are just a few examples of adult teaching methods for the soprano. 

Sweet Pipes Recorder series - the most popular recorder series for adults. This series has clear lesson plans, with music from all over the recorder repertoire. 

Enjoy the Recorder by Brian Bonsor - very popular series, as this book engages adult students with folksongs and songs that everyone knows. Lessons are clear with every chapter adding an extra note or new rhythm. 

Basic Recorder Technique by Hugh Orr - clear sections and well planned chapters for learning music and recorder for the first time. 

Recorder for Beginners - filled with great pictures, well set out with a good fingering chart and CD tracks to listen to and practice with. Suitable for an adult or teenager beginners.

Von trapp recorder series - enjoy your recorder. Popular series for learning the recorder and music for the first time with the Von trapp method. 

Other Descant/Soprano tutors: 

Suzuki Recorder - this needs to be learnt with a qualified Suzuki teacher as it is part of their learning program. 

The Recorder Guide - Learn both descant and treble fingering - at the same time! Or if you have to teach both in a workshop, this is the manual for you. 

Play the recorder John Pitts companion - this is for teachers for learning to teach recorder in schools. 

Play on - this book is virtually a complete curriculum for any teacher wanting to teach children (or people of any age!) and how to be musical via the recorder.

Treble/Alto Recorder - F Fingering 

For more treble tutors click here. 

Children

Recorder from the Beginning by John Pitts Series - these books are ideal for children learning recorder at school. The various different series use well-known songs to engage students. The notation is big for the younger children. 

Adults and teenagers

Sweet Pipes Recorder series - the most popular recorder series for adults. This series has clear lesson plans, with music from all over the recorder repertoire. 

Enjoy the Recorder by Brian Bonsor - very popular series, as this book engages adult students with folksongs and songs that everyone knows. Lessons are clear with every chapter adding an extra note or new rhythm. 

Method for Recorder Mario Duschannes - a lovely selection of music to learn the treble recorder. 

Method for Treble Recorder by Gisbert - very popular teaching method with clear lessons, and starts you learning with the use of duets from the very first lesson. Has an extremely useful appendix of technique-expanding exercises.

Basic Recorder Technique by Hugh Orr - clear sections and well planned chapters for learning music and recorder for the first time. 

A systematic method for treble recorder - title says it all. 

Other alto/treble tutors: 

Play the recorder John Pitts companion - this is for teachers for learning to teach recorder in schools. 

From Descant to Treble by Brian Bonsor - Transitioning from descant to treble? This is one of our most popular teaching manuals to convert from C to F fingering.  

Bass - F Fingering in bass clef

For all bass tutors click here.  

The Big Bass Recorder Book - full of popular tunes, starts from lesson one of learning bass. 

Workshop Bass Recorder with CD - an incredible series for anyone looking to learn the bass recorder. 

Bass handbook - Traditional Style Tutor designed to get you reading the bass clef and stretching your fingers. This book is not written as a beginner recorder tutor and suits recorder players who already have music reading skills.

The Bass Recorder Hunt -a concise method to learn the bass recorder. 

This guide was written by Alexandra Joly.