How to Play Mary Had a Little Lamb on a Recorder

"Mary Had a Little Lamb" is a song we all have known since we were young children, but you might not know how to play it on the recorder. This musical instrument was popular in the Middle Ages, during which time it could be heard at most parties and festivals. The recorder provides an extremely easy and fun way to learn to play music. "Mary had a Little Lamb" is easy to play, and will help you learn to play other songs on the recorder as well.

Things You'll Need

• Recorder
• Chair
• Sheet music to "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

Instructions

1. Learn to play each of the notes on the recorder. The fingerings are:
   B is thumb and first finger on the top hand.
   A is thumb and both first and second fingers on the top hand.
   G is thumb and first, second and third fingers on the top hand.
   D is NO thumb, and second finger of the bottom hand.

2. Get your sheet music out and start playing this rhythm: Play B for a quarter note, A for a quarter note and G for a quarter note. Play A for a quarter note, followed by two quarter notes of B followed by a half note of B. Play two A quarter notes followed by an A half note, then a breath. Play a B quarter note followed by a D quarter note and a D half note. Repeat the B-A-G-A-B sequence, and end with A-A-B-A and a half note of G.

3. Clean your recorder when you are finished practicing for the day. Cleaning it helps the recorder stay nice, and enables you to keep it for a long time.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to sit up straight to open up your diaphragm, which is the key to playing well.

References

• Learn "Mary had a Little Lamb" and the note fingerings here

Resources

• Video on playing "Mary had a Little Lamb" on the recorder