Let’s Play Recorder!: It will blow your mind!
- Let's Play Music
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
Why is our ‘Let’s Play Recorder” curriculum so mind-blowing?
Because it will completely change your mind about what you think you know about recorder playing. Think it’s nothing but squeaks and squawks? We take care of all of that with our careful ear-training and feedback system built right into every lesson plan. Students become active participants in listening to their own sound, discerning what they hear, and learning how to adjust — from the very first class.
If you’re looking for an easy way to give your child a joyful, skill-building introduction to the recorder, this is it. Ask your Let’s Play Music teacher if they’re teaching this curriculum. If not, you can always purchase the Student Book from our webstore and sing, play, and learn right along at home!
And when you begin teaching or experiencing Let’s Play Recorder, you’ll see how each lesson blends discovery, teamwork, and playful music-making — setting the stage for a lifetime of musical success.
What is the Let’s Play Recorder Curriculum?
The Let’s Play Recorder program is made for group lessons and is a solfège-based, step-by-step curriculum that teaches one new note at a time, uses simple rhythms, and incorporates playful songs. Kids feel successful right away—and that success keeps them excited to learn more! With a little guidance and the right resources, your child will be learning and making music with a discerning ear.
The curriculum is rich with tools and activities that focus on discovery, problem solving, teamwork, and individual challenges. We also emphasize and experience the joyful, expressive, human art of music-making globally and historically, with emphasis on the wood flute.
Expectations:
Some students will learn to play recorder—those who love it and practice at home. But even if your child does not, he or she will still have a rich musical experience with classical music, composition, improvisation, ensemble playing, rhythm reading, harmony, note reading, ear training, and music making.
This curriculum contains content from the Let's Play Music and Presto programs. Those students who have taken LPM or Presto classes will know some songs already. Those who haven’t will learn them.
Lessons focus on note reading, rhythm reading, chords & harmony—which will be review for some students, and will function as an introduction to others.
Curriculum Highlights
"The Squeaky Symphony" is a silly song whose lyrics teach proper recorder technique and include a section where students are free to play all the horrible sounds that happen when playing incorrectly, all in the spirit of playfulness.
"Banuwa" is a Liberian folk song chanted, sung, and played on percussion and 3-part recorder. A full accompaniment track makes this a robust, immersive, rousing musical experience.
"The Star People" is a Lakota Nations story telling of children losing their way and using the stars and their ancestors to come back home. It is accompanied by a beautiful Lakota wood flute song which also acts as the puppet show for the program.
Typical tonguing and fingering exercises that are usually boring are made fun, easy, and musically rewarding using fantastic accompaniment tracks. You won't believe how fun it is to play an A over and over again!
Fun Learning Videos
Kids learn best when lessons feel playful. That’s why we love adding a bit of fun to every activity!
This silly and fun exercise helps children learn how to blow gently and steadily—making their recorder sound beautiful instead of squeaky.
Echo games are always a favorite! Kids copy short musical patterns, which strengthens listening skills and memory while keeping things fun.
How the Recorder Curriculum Helps Your Child Grow
Breathing Made Easy: Games like Blow, Blow, Blow teach steady air support without kids even realizing they’re learning technique.
Listening Skills on Point: Echo songs sharpen the ear for pitch and rhythm.
Step-by-Step Success: With one new note at a time, kids always feel successful and motivated.
Skills That Transfer: Recorder skills like finger dexterity, rhythm, and reading music carry over beautifully to piano, guitar, and more.
Helpful Tools for Parents & Kids
We’ve designed products that make learning recorder at home smooth, fun, and rewarding!
Recorder: A beginner-friendly instrument that’s durable and easy to play.
Recorder Adaptation Sheet: A reference chart that is great for helping kids with different learning needs feel confident.
Let’s Play Recorder Songbook: A colorful collection of songs that your child will love playing again and again.
Let’s Play Recorder Digital Album: Fun play-along tracks that turn practice time into jam sessions.
Shop our complete collection of recorder resources to give your child or students a strong start! Explore lesson materials, songbooks, and digital tools designed to make learning the recorder easy and fun. Use our directory to find a qualified teacher near you who is actively teaching Let's Play Recorder, or reach out directly to us to purchase the full curriculum and confidently teach it yourself.
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