The best way to learn any instrument is to have lessons from a good, experienced teacher. Although, happily, the number of such teachers is constantly growing, the recorder is still frequently taught by enthusiastic but inexperienced teachers and many players start by teaching themselves.
This series of books sets out to help learners of all ages in all three situations. Experienced teachers, who may choose to disregard much of the text as personal demonstration is always clearer than the written word, will find exercises and fine tunes a-plenty to support their own method at each stage. The less experienced willbenefit from many valuable teaching hints culled from long experience and may rely on the books to lead to a sound playing technique and a mastery of simple notation.
Those learning by themseves - and I started in this way - are urged to work carefully and systematically through the books, taking plenty of time to assimilate each point before moving on. For them, without the personal model provided by a live teacher, it is vitally important to listen as often as possible to fine players, in person or on record, so that they have in their mind's ear a clear notion of the kind of sound they would like to produce.
But however they start, I can only wish that all who use these books will derive as much pleasure and musical satisfaction and gain as many lasting and valued friendships as I have through this most subtle, delightful and sociable of instruments. (Brian Bonsor)

&ldquo....this work is likely to become a standart work very quickly and is to be recommended to all schools where recorder studies are undertaken&ldquo. (Oliver James, Contact Magazine)

These two tutors, with accompanying teacher's books, are for newcomers to the instrument who are beginning on the treble and so assume no previous knowledge either of the instrument or of musical notation.

The best way to learn any instrument is to have lessons from a good, experienced teacher. Although, happily, the number of such teachers is constantly growing, the recorder is still frequently taught by enthusiastic but inexperienced teachers and many players start by teaching themselves.
This series of books sets out to help learners of all ages in all three situations. Experienced teachers, who may choose to disregard much of the text as personal demonstration is always clearer than the written word, will find exercises and fine tunes a-plenty to support their own mathod at each stage. The less experienced willbenefit from many valuable teaching hints culled from long experience and may rely on the books to lead to a sound playing technique and a mastery of simple notation.
Those learning by themseves - and I started in this way - are urged to work carefully and systematically through the books, taking plenty of time to assimilate each point before moving on. For them, without the personal model provided by a live teacher, it is vitally important to listen as often as possible to fine players, in person or on record, so that they have in their mind's ear a clear notion of the kind of sound they would like to produce.
But however they start, I can only wish that all who use these books will derive as much pleasure and musical satisfaction and gain as many lasting and valued friendships as I have through this most subtle, delightful
and sociable of instruments. (Brian Bonsor)

"...this work is likely to become a standart work very quickly and is to be recommended to all schools where recorder studies are undertaken" (Oliver James, Contact Magazine)

Descant Tutors provide a sound-playing technique, a mastery of simple notation and contain 570 tunes including concert pieces by Bonsor, carols, attractive rounds, and melodies by 'early music' composers. Clear line drawings greatly assist the pupil, making them especially suitable for self-instruction.

English.

A special method for beginners. First published by Schott in German in 1990. The translation and adaption into English has been made by Peter Bowman.

three Volumes for the descant recorder which advance in small steps and include many playful elements suitable for both group and individual lessons.
* Discover the adventure of learning the recorder
* Make real progress through games: breathing
* A mixture of lively new and traditional tunes
* Three supplementery tune books each with a sheet of stickers
* Teacher's commentary
* Join Dotty-do-a-lot and her friends in the exciting world of music

Fun and Games with the Recorder is a comprehensive recorder tutor covering all stages from the first notes of the beginner up to the point of preofessional instruction for budding performers. Although the recorder is often the instrument with wich children will make their first musical discoveries, it is also an instrument of the highest artistic merit. This series of books tries to link these two extremes, providing a carefully planned pathway between first, playful contact with the instrument and professional recorder playing.

The three Tutor Books are suitable for use both with small groups and for individual tuition. Progress is methodical and is made in small steps placing great value on consistent work with breathing, sound production and the development of rhythmic security.

In the Tutor books we speak directly to the child and provide carefully planned, precisely formulated exercises. We recognise that some children learning the recorder will not yet be able to read, but hope that this will provide an opportunity for a parent or teacher to become involved in the learning process. Each step in this process should be fun and accessable to both the parent/teacher and the child.

Tutor Book 1 is intended for children from about six years of age. Previous musical experience is not essential but undoubtedly would prove useful. It concentrates on the notes B, A, g, E1, C2 and D2, leaving sufficient time and space for the development of articulation, rhythmic security and breathing techniques. Tutor Book 2 adds the notes C1, D2, F2, E2, F2 and B flat, whilst Tutor Book 3 completes the range up to C3 - at which point the treble recorder can be introduced.

Tutor Books 1, 2 and 3 are complemented by Tune Books 1, 2 and 3. The tune Books are matched to the stages of learning process of the Tutor Books and provide additional practice pieces and exercises, sometimes with accompainment.

In the Teacher's Commentary we explain the teaching methodology behind the tutor and provide stimulation for ideas for lessons.

It will be helpful if the child has a manuscript book of her or his own, or some manuscript book. Dotty's Note Book (ED 12641) is specially designed for the purpose, with large staves suitable for children as well as plain pages for words and pictures.

We wish users of this tutor every success and happiness with their recorder playing.

English.

A special method for beginners. First published by Schott in German in 1990. The translation and adaption into English has been made by Peter Bowman.

three Volumes for the descant recorder which advance in small steps and include many playful elements suitable for both group and individual lessons.
* Discover the adventure of learning the recorder
* Make real progress through games: breathing
* A mixture of lively new and traditional tunes
* Three supplementery tune books each with a sheet of stickers
* Teacher's commentary
* Join Dotty-do-a-lot and her friends in the exciting orld of music

Fun and Games with the Recorder is a comprehensive recorder tutor covering all stages from the first notes of the beginner up to the point of preofessional instruction for budding performers. Although the recorder is often the instrument with wich children will make their first musical discoveries, it is also an instrument of the highest artistic merit. This series of books tries to link these two extremes, providing a carefully planned pathway between first, playful contact with the instrument and professional recorder playing.

The three Tutor Books are suitable for use both with small groups and for individual tuition. Progress is methodical and is made in small steps placing great value on consistent work with breathing, sound production and the development of rhythmic security.

In the Tutor books we speak directly to the child and provide carefully planned, precisely formulated exercises. We recognise that some children learning the recorder will not yet be able to read, but hope that this will provide an opportunity for a parent or teacher to become involved in the learning process. Each step in this process should be fun and accessable to both the parent/teacher and the child.

Tutor Book 1 is intended for children from about six years of age. Previous musical experience is not essential but undoubtedly would prove useful. It concentrates on the notes B, A, g, E1, C2 and D2, leaving sufficient time and space for the development of articulation, rhythmic security and breathing techniques. Tutor Book 2 adds the notes C1, D2, F2, E2, F2 and B flat, whilst Tutor Book 3 completes the range up to C3 - at which point the treble recorder can be introduced.

Tutor Books 1, 2 and 3 are complemented by Tune Books 1, 2 and 3. The tune Books are matched to the stages of learning process of the Tutor Books and provide additional practice pieces and exercises, sometimes with accompainment.

In the Teacher's Commentary we explain the teaching methodology behind the tutor and provide stimulation for ideas for lessons.

It will be helpful if the child has a manuscript book of her or his own, or some manuscript book. Dotty's Note Book (ED 12641) is specially designed for the purpose, with large staves suitable for children as well as plain pages for words and pictures.

We wish users of this tutor every success and happiness with their recorder playing.

English.

A special method for beginners. First published by Schott in German in 1990. The translation and adaption into English has been made by Peter Bowman.

Three volumes for the descant recorder which advance in small steps and include many playful elements suitable for both group and individual lessons.
&bull. Discover the adventure of learning the recorder
&bull. Make real progress through games: breathing
&bull. A mixture of lively new and traditional tunes
&bull. Three supplementary tune books each with a sheet of stickers
&bull. Teacher's commentary
&bull. Join Dotty-do-a-lot and her friends in the exciting world of music

".Fun and Games with the Recorder". is a comprehensive recorder tutor covering all stages from the first notes of the beginner up to the point of professional instruction for budding performers. Although the recorder is often the instrument with which children will make their first musical discoveries, it is also an instrument of the highest artistic merit. This series of books tries to link these two extremes, providing a carefully planned pathway between first, playful contact with the instrument and professional recorder playing.

The three Tutor Books are suitable for use both with small groups and for individual tuition. Progress is methodical and is made in small steps placing great value on consistent work with breathing, sound production and the development of rhythmic security.

In the Tutor books we speak directly to the child and provide carefully planned, precisely formulated exercises. We recognise that some children learning the recorder will not yet be able to read, but hope that this will provide an opportunity for a parent or teacher to become involved in the learning process. Each step in this process should be fun and accessible to both the parent/teacher and the child.

Tutor Book 1 is intended for children from about six years of age. Previous musical experience is not essential but undoubtedly would prove useful. It concentrates on the notes B, A, G, E1, C2 and D2, leaving sufficient time and space for the development of articulation, rhythmic security and breathing techniques. Tutor Book 2 adds the notes C1, D2, E2, F2 and B flat, whilst Tutor Book 3 completes the range up to C3 - at which point the treble recorder can be introduced.

Tutor Books 1, 2 and 3 are complemented by Tune Books 1, 2 and 3. The Tune Books are matched to the stages of learning process of the Tutor Books and provide additional practice pieces and exercises, sometimes with accompaniment.

In the Teacher's Commentary we explain the teaching methodology behind the tutor and provide stimulation for ideas for lessons.

It will be helpful if the child has a manuscript book of her or his own, or some manuscript book. ".Dotty's Note Book". (ED 12641) is specially designed for the purpose, with large staves suitable for children as well as plain pages for words and pictures.

We wish users of this tutor book every success and happiness with their recorder playing.

English - French - German.

Irish Folk Tunes for Descant Recorder is a collection of 63 arrangements for descant recorder, of traditional tunes including a range of styles such as Reels, Hornpipes, Jigs and more.
Experienced recorder player and co-author of English Folk Tunes for Descant Recorder, the Baroque Recorder Anthology series, and Fun and Games with the Recorder series amongst others, Peter Bowman provides notes on all of the styles covered, as well as individual pieces. German and French translations of all texts are available as pdf downloads from the Schott Music website. Suitable for players of grades 3-8.
The volume contains recordings for download in order to get a sound impression of the stylistic and technical features of the pieces.