Playing Made Easy for Recorder
(Australian Edition)

The newest edition of this is now published
in the USA by Santorella Music

"They are the finest collections I have seen on the subject and I recommend them without hesitation."

Dr Maurice Hinson. Senior Professor of Music, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kentucky USA

The  Playing Made Easy for Recorder Method Book (also released as 'How to Play the Recorder) " is based on Ms Brandman's belief that one can develop a speed-reading approach by focusing on the interval movement rather than the traditional note-naming system. (Those of us that play transposing instruments, such as clarinet, would agree with this, as it is a recognised approach to transposition.) The book starts with care of the recorder, breathing and breath marks (a good idea so early on), and tonguing (using the head joint) before tackling notation and theory. It introduces theoretical concepts with a practical approach, using aural, visual and tactile methods to teach notation. Both American and British naming is used (e.g. quarter-note and crotchet) - I find American terminology very helpful in explaining time signatures and relative note values. Questions are interspersed to reinforce learning. I feel it is a brilliantly thorough and inspired book, very visual and practical, with an excellent index.

Margaret McMurtry - Australian Society for Music Education

FEATURING

• Margaret Brandman's teaching concepts - connecting the aural, visual and tactile aspects of music
• Catherine Weaver's practical instrumental teaching expertise and melodic phrasing concepts.
• accelerated learning techniques including colour, for thorough understanding of rhythm, pitch, keys and chords.
• A variety of songs, duets and rounds
• an easy and fun approach so that students quickly become proficient in playing the recorder, while at the same time building solid musical understanding.