Recorder Curriculum

Newcastle Elementary Music ♫

Following is an outline of the basic skills necessary for Meeting Grade Level Standard (3) for the 4th Grade Recorder Unit of study:

1. Hold the Recorder correctly, with left hand at the top and right hand at the bottom. Employ correct
fingering technique (Thumb,1,2,3 with left hand; Thumb,4,5,6,7 with right hand).

2. Play all scales, exercises and songs with clear, accurate tone. Employ tonguing technique
(no "hoo-ing") and avoid split octaves, enharmonics and squeaks.

3. Play a D Major scale, one octave only, ascending and descending. This scale uses the F# and
C# accidentals.

4. Play a C Major scale, one octave only, ascending and descending. This scale uses
only naturals. There are no accidentals (sharps and flats).

5. Be able to identify lines and spaces of the Treble Clef.

6. Play all 7 "It's in the BAG" exercises, using notes B, A, and G in the Treble Clef.

7.     Play all 8 songs from the series "Easy 8", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," and "Rainy Day Blues."
        These songs and the series include an accompaniment CD.
        Students will be asked to play in groups of 2 or 3 along with the CD accompaniment during class.

8. Play at least 3 of the chosen duets/trios from the back of the student book.

9. Learn steps to at least 1 folk dance from the Pacific Rim countries studied.

10. Learn the melody and words to at least one folk song from the history of Washington
State.

11. Participate in the final concert on April 22nd, 2009.

**In cases of illness or parental excuse due to travel, students will be able to opt out of #11. Performance for class will be required, however, and students may ask other students in class
to play along with them.

This seems like an amazing amount of information to master in only a few months! Usually, as of March, 85% of our 4th graders will already have mastered all 8 of the "Easy 8" series. Everyone will be able to play the D Major and C Major scales, and we will have started our work on several of the the duets from
the student books. 4th Grade Music is fast paced an challenging, but well within the abilities of all students. PLEASE assist your child's success by creating and enforcing a 10 minute quiet time each day for Recorder practice.