My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Extra-curricular activities

recorder agonies - teeth?

3 replies

antimony · 03/12/2012 10:19

Ds (7) has just started playing the recorder but is having terrible trouble preventing it squeaking. I expect he is blowing too hard but he also has huge tooth gaps (one of which looks permanent - he has one tooth too few near the front) - does anyone know if this might be the problem? Poor thing, he is getting so frustrated!

OP posts:
Report
purpleroses · 03/12/2012 10:37

Would say it is his blowing technique. You make a tight seal with the mouth againt a recorder (unlike flute or brass) so teeth and shape of mouth shouldn't matter. Try exercises like saying 'Sssssss' for as long as possible to help him develop breath control.

Report
Theas18 · 03/12/2012 15:00

Gentle relaxed lip seal on a recorder and breathe into it. Not a tight " blowing birthday candles" and really, teeth shouldn't come into contact with it at all so gappy teeth , buck teeth, braces make no difference (OK braces might affect lip closure.

Cover the holes carefully with relaxed finger pads too. A half open hole will squeak (esp thumb)

Report
antimony · 03/12/2012 16:39

That sounds really helpful - I will pass it all on to him. Maybe it is a tiny-thumb problem. Thank you!

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.