Online
Recorder
Classes

Course overview

The online recorder course is suitable for children aged 7 and over and adults of all ages. A preparatory level is available for children aged 5 and over. In lessons, you will develop your playing technique, learn to read music and study classical pieces and contemporary melodies. The programme includes preparatory, beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. No musical experience is needed to start, and if you already play, your teacher will help you choose a programme suited to your experience.

Lessons are individual and last 45 minutes. You can study in Russian, Ukrainian or English. We agree on the schedule and teaching language before lessons begin.

Lessons take place in real time via Google Meet or Zoom. Your teacher demonstrates techniques on their own instrument, listens to your playing and helps you correct mistakes. Our teachers have higher education qualifications in music and teaching experience, and many also perform in concerts.

We recommend two lessons a week with your teacher and practising your assignments at home between lessons. You can perform the pieces you have prepared at the school’s online concerts and competitions. Students receive certificates upon completing each module and level.

Teaching approach

At the start of the course, the teacher gets to know the student and asks about their experience and musical interests. They then select exercises and pieces. Beginners learn to hold the recorder, play notes correctly and control their breathing. Students with experience work on tone quality, technique and expressive playing.

We work through a new melody in short sections, checking the notes, rhythm, fingering and articulation. Difficult transitions are practised slowly before being combined into a musical phrase. Gradually, we move on to playing the whole piece, paying attention to intonation, breathing points and the character of the music.

The teacher reviews progress in each lesson and explains what to practise at home. A prepared piece can be performed at an online concert or competition, followed by a discussion of the performance and the next learning goals.

Benefits of our approach

1. Clear tasks: the teacher explains what to work on in an exercise or piece and demonstrates how to improve tone, rhythm or the playing of a particular phrase.

2. Individual pace: new techniques and more challenging pieces are introduced as students master the material. More time can be devoted to difficult passages.

3. Performance practice: preparing for online concerts and competitions helps students learn to play a complete piece for an audience and manage performance nerves.

4. For children and adults: tasks, explanations and repertoire are selected according to the student’s age, experience and musical preferences.

5. Continued learning: after completing the programme, students can expand their repertoire, learn more challenging pieces and refine their playing technique.

Preparatory level

The preparatory level is designed for children aged 5 and over. In lessons, children get to know the recorder and learn to hold it and produce sounds. The first exercises help them develop a gentle, steady airflow and play individual notes.

Children gradually become familiar with notes and simple rhythms, repeat short musical phrases and learn their first melodies. The teacher advises parents on how to help their child review the material at home.

Beginner level

At beginner level, students learn hand positioning, breathing and fingering. They work on an even tone and correct tone production. They are introduced to basic articulation, learning to play notes smoothly connected or separately.

Alongside this, they study the basics of music notation: notes, note values, rests and rhythmic patterns. They learn simple exercises, short melodies and easy pieces. A chosen piece can be prepared for their first online performance.

Intermediate level

At intermediate level, students learn more challenging pieces and refine their technique. They work on finger dexterity, precise tone production, articulation and accurate intonation. They learn to manage their breath throughout a musical phrase and maintain an even tone.

More attention is given to phrasing, musical character and playing with accompaniment. Students gradually learn to work through a score independently and prepare pieces for online concerts and competitions.

Advanced level

At advanced level, students work on challenging pieces in different styles. They improve finger fluency, master combinations of articulations and develop accuracy at different tempos. Particular attention is paid to transitions between registers, accurate intonation and expressive tone.

Together with their teacher, students analyse the structure of a piece and make interpretative choices: where to breathe, how to shape a phrase and how to highlight the climax. Knowledge of music theory helps them better understand the score and the features of their chosen repertoire.

The programme includes preparation for online concerts and competitions: rehearsing complete pieces, building confidence in performance and discussing performance outcomes.

Course goals

Playing technique: learn to hold the recorder correctly, master fingering and basic articulation, and work on an even tone and precise finger movements.

Breathing: learn to control your airflow, manage your breath throughout a musical phrase and choose comfortable breathing points.

Music reading: read notes and rhythmic patterns, understand musical markings and work through simple pieces independently.

Repertoire: learn favourite melodies, classical and contemporary pieces, and explore music in different styles.

Expression: work on accurate intonation, articulation and phrasing, and learn to convey the character of the music.

Playing with accompaniment: come in at the right moment, maintain the tempo and listen to how the recorder part blends with the accompaniment.

Performance experience: prepare pieces for online concerts and competitions, learn to play for an audience and manage performance nerves.

Benefits of recorder lessons

Coordination: playing the recorder teaches you to coordinate finger movements with breathing and musical rhythm. This skill develops gradually, from simple exercises to playing complete melodies.

Musical ear: in lessons, you learn to listen to your own playing, notice inaccuracies in intonation and adjust your tone. Your teacher’s demonstrations help you understand the result you are aiming for.

Sense of rhythm: working with note values, rests and accents helps you play melodies more accurately. Playing with a metronome and accompaniment teaches you to maintain a steady tempo.

Breath control while playing: you learn to maintain an even tone, make your breath last throughout a phrase and breathe at the right moments.

Independent practice: practising at home teaches you to identify difficult passages, choose a suitable tempo and assess the result. Gradually, you gain a clearer understanding of how to learn a new piece without constant guidance.

Confidence in performance: a piece you have learned allows you to hear your own progress. Rehearsals and online concerts help you become comfortable playing for an audience and continuing after a small mistake.

Creative practice: in lessons, you can explore different articulations and phrasing, compare interpretations and choose the one that best conveys the character of the piece.

Discovering music: new repertoire gives you the opportunity to discover composers and performers, listen to different interpretations of pieces and find melodies you would like to play.

In your first lesson, you will meet your teacher and discuss your musical interests. For beginners, the teacher will demonstrate how to hold the recorder and introduce the first exercises. If you already play, a trial lesson will help identify which skills to develop and which pieces to start with.