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 will benefit from many valuable teaching hints culled fromlong experience and may rely on the books to lead to a sound playing technique and a mastery of simple notation. Those learning by themselves - 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 standard 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.

Beginning in 1651 John Playford released a series of dance instructions with corresponding melodies. After their initial success he named them ?The Dancing Master?. Editions continued to be published up until 1728. They incorporated traditional as well as new song themes of the day with powerful and memorable Baroque melodies.The most beautiful of these songs have been arranged here for descant or treble recorder and piano accompaniment. Included among others are ?Newcastle? ?Black and Gray? and ?Nobody?s Jigg?.The arrangements include an optional part for a second flute. The editorNikolaus Newerkla is a cembalist arranger and ensembledirector. He founded and directs the internationally-renowned early music ensemble ?Quadriga Consort?.