First steps
Recorder notes for beginners
You only need three notes for your first song. Learn B, A and G, then play the tunes below — every one of them uses just the notes you already know, plus a few neighbours.
The first three notes
B, A and G — the whole first lesson
Start at the top of the recorder's first octave. B needs the thumb and one finger; A adds a second; G adds a third. Every note below adds exactly one finger to the one before it, which is why school methods start here.
- B — thumb and hole 1
- A — thumb and holes 1, 2
- G — thumb and holes 1, 2, 3
Find each note on the interactive soprano fingering chart and tap it to hear the pitch before you play it. Then try the songs below — they start with these three notes.
First songs
Six songs with letter notes
Letter notes tell you the note names in order, left to right. Each letter is a note you can find on the chart. Songs are shown for the soprano recorder in C; on an alto or bass the same letter names apply (they are written-note names), so these tunes work on any size.
Hot Cross Buns
The classic first song — three notes, and the rhythm comes from the words. Say "hot cross buns" as you play B, A, G.
B A G · B A G · G G G G A A A A · B A G
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Uses the same bottom three notes plus E and G. Slow and even; count the three short notes carefully.
E D C D E E E · D D D · E G G · E D C D E E E E · D D E D C
Ode to Joy
Beethoven's theme, arranged for recorder. The first phrase is all you need — it repeats.
E E F G G F E D · C C D E E D D · E E F G G F E D · C C D E D C C
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
The two phrases are nearly identical — only the ending differs.
C C G G A A G · F F E E D D C
Jingle Bells (chorus)
Start on E and stay on the top of the first octave for the whole first line.
E E E · E E E · E G C D E · F F F F F E E E E · D D E D G
Au Clair de la Lune
A gentle tune from the bottom of the range, good for practising the seal on C and D.
C C C D E D C · E E D D C
Why these songs work
Every tune above stays inside a five-note range, which means the fingerings are simple and the ear can guide you. Play each note from the chart first, then string them together at a walking pace — faster comes later, accuracy comes first.
Common questions
Questions about beginner notes
Which recorder notes should a beginner learn first?
B, A and G, in that order. B is the thumb plus one finger, A adds a second, G adds a third — so each new note is one more finger down, and three notes are enough to play a real song.
What is the easiest song on the recorder?
Hot Cross Buns. It uses only B, A and G, and the rhythm comes straight from the words, so a total beginner can play it in the first lesson.
Why does my recorder squeak when I play the notes?
Almost always a leaking hole or too much air. Cover each hole with the flat pad of the finger, and blow slowly and gently — the recorder needs far less breath than people expect.