Recorder
Recorders
All 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students will begin learning the recorder in January 2023. There will be a $6 fee added to the accounts of all 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students for a recorder. If your child does not need to order a recorder, please return the form that was sent home and indicate that you do not need a recorder and you will not be charged the $6 fee. If you can't afford a recorder at this time, we have plenty to lend. Everybody gets to participate! Indicate on the form that you would like to borrow a recorder for the school year. You will not be charged the $6 fee. Please pay by Friday, December 16, 2022. I will place the school order the following week. Recorders will be given to students during their music class when we return from vacation in January. We will be using soprano recorders with baroque fingerings (this is the most standard). The model we are offering is the Yamaha YRS-24B. Although they retail for $10, we are able to get them at a discount. It is a great value! Students find recorders to be a highlight of their time in elementary school. I look forward to working with your child and teaching them the language of reading and writing music, and performing through the use of the recorder. In the beginning, recorders will stay at school. During the year, students MAY be permitted to take them home. When this time comes, recorders will "live" in students' backpacks. This way, we ensure that instruments are here on music day. |
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The instrument we are using is the Yamaha YRS-24B (Baroque System). Possibly the world's most popular model, this recorder is easy to play and has a clear soft tone. It is ideal for school use. You do not need to purchase one on your own. We will do one large order each year. Although the retail cost is $10, if you order them through our school's group order, we can get them at a significant discount. |
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The book we will be using is Suzuki Recorder School, Volume 1, Soprano Recorder, Recorder Part. You do not need to buy a book. It is only included here in case you want to own one for home. I'll be giving the kids everything they need in class.
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If you want a better recorder with a more eco-friendly plant-based plastic, consider the Yamaha YRS-402B Ecodear (Baroque system). The Ecodear achieves a mellow, centered tone that is similar to that of wood recorders. These cost about $25. You would have to order this on your own. |
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YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY THIS!!! Seriously, don't buy this. But sometimes, parents want their kids to have a much better instrument, maybe after they've played a plastic recorder for a while and have excelled. Maybe this one stays at home. The Mollenhauer Dream (Baroque) Wood/Plastic hybrid recorder is what I recommend for my beginning private students.They're in the range of $50-$60. I personally play the full wood version of the Mollenhauer Dream. I mean it, I would be SHOCKED to see one of these at school and worried that something might happen to it. This is just here for your information. |
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AVOID CHEAP RECORDERS!
Super-cheap recorders sound bad. They are very frustrating to students who can't make nice music on them. Super-cheap recorders are not capable of rendering pleasant sounds. Your child will not enjoy playing. You will not enjoy hearing them play. They won't blend in with the other recorders at school. They won't be in tune with the other recorders at school. I would rather you borrow one of my recorders here at school, than buy a super-cheap recorder.
NO, NO, NO!
Don't buy a super-cheap recorder at the same place you buy groceries, cat food, underwear, camping supplies, and motor oil. Get what I'm trying to say?
AVOID Recorders with the "GERMAN" Fingering System
At Carleston, we use recorders with the "Baroque" fingering system. There are LOTS of recorders out there that use another system called the "German" system. Unfortunately, most parents who choose to buy a recorder from somewhere other than through the school get the wrong kind. Sometimes Baroque recorders will have a little "B" printed on them and German recorders will have a little "G." But oftentimes, there is no label and you have to look at the size of the holes to tell.
If you're going to buy one other than through school, buy Baroque.
2022-2023 Carleston Elementary School Recorder Letter
December 1, 2022
Dear parents and guardians,
I am grateful to get to teach your child music at Carleston Elementary. This year, all 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students will be learning the recorder. The recorder is one the oldest members of the flute family. All students will need to have their own recorder.
You can buy a recorder, you can borrow a recorder, or you may already own one!
The recorder that we offer is from Yamaha (model YRS-24B). You may purchase this recorder for $6 through the school. This is a real savings from the $10 retail price! If you wish to purchase a recorder through the school, please pay online by Friday, December 16, 2022. Payment is made online via Skyward Fee Management. Do not send money to school.
- If you need to borrow a recorder, please indicate this on the form and return it with your signature.
- If your child already owns a recorder, please indicate this on the form and return it with your signature.
- If you ARE ordering a recorder, you DO NOT need to return the form. Just pay the $6.
More information about our program is available online at https://www.pearlandisd.org/Page/24521. If you have any questions, please email me at berlinb@pearlandisd.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian Berlin, Music Teacher
Detach and return the following if you are NOT buying a recorder.
2022-2023 Recorder Form
Student name: ______________________________________________
Teacher name: ______________________________________________
_____ My child already has a recorder.
_____ My child needs to borrow a recorder.
Parent or Guardian Signature: ______________________________________________