Recorder Express: Recorder CD

With 98 diverse tracks spanning folk, holiday, original, and pop repertoire, this recording gives every student an immediate library of engaging accompaniments. The inclusion of demonstration tracks featuring a professional recorder soloist models tone and musicality standards while the majority of backing tracks let students spotlight themselves without distraction.

The recording captures the joy of playing familiar melodies in multiple contexts. Holiday tunes sparkle with festive arrangements while original compositions offer the satisfaction of tackling fresh material, and pop and folk selections connect recorder students to music they hear in their everyday lives.

Recorder students in general music classes and elementary band programs benefit from the range of styles and difficulty levels, as do teachers looking for engaging play-along materials that hold student interest beyond traditional method book exercises. Private recorder instructors can use these tracks to supplement lessons and encourage home practice.

• Listen to the demonstration tracks first to hear how phrasing and tone quality shape the melody, then use those same accompaniments to practice at your own tempo.
• Start with the slowest versions of pieces to lock in rhythm and intonation before advancing to full tempo.
• Record yourself playing along with a few different tracks to compare your tone production and articulation across varied styles and tempos.

Layer these tracks into unit assessments where students demonstrate mastery of specific songs with professional accompaniment, or use them during rehearsal time so multiple students can practice simultaneously at different tempos. They work equally well as practice-at-home tools that students can access independently throughout the year.

• Playing in rhythm with recorded accompaniment
• Matching tone quality and musicality to a model recording
• Sight-reading across multiple musical styles and tempos
• Adapting articulation and dynamics to varied accompaniment textures
• Sustaining focus and intonation during longer melodic phrases