Recorders: return to playing
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 12 May 2025End Date: 14 Jul 2025Mon (Daytime): 12:00 - 13:30In PersonFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00
- Start Date: 15 Sep 2025End Date: 01 Dec 2025Mon (Daytime): 12:00 - 13:30In PersonFull fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Further develop your skill and confidence in playing solo and ensemble music on descant and/or treble recorder in a friendly setting.
What will we cover?
- Technique of recorder playing: fingering, breathing and articulation
- Playing in unison with others
- Playing in parts in a small ensemble
- A wider range of recorder repertoire in a variety of styles
- Music reading and music theory.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Expand the range of notes you can play
- Scales and pieces in keys including up to 2 sharps and flats
- Play with good control of breath and articulation (tongued and slurred)
- Play with good intonation and understand how to modify your intonation when playing alone or with others
- Play a part in an ensemble piece
- Recognise and perform various styles of recorder music
- Read and interpret music notation.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for those who have been learning recorder for at least a year and who can already play to an approximate Grade 1/2 standard, or who have played before and want to brush up their skills to get back into recorder playing. You need to be able to listen to and follow instructions in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Classes will comprise tutor explanation and demonstration, group playing and individual practice (please bring your own instrument). Sessions will also include class discussion, aural skills and theoretical study.
To make progress you will need to practise regularly outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your instrument(s), as well as a notebook, pencil and eraser.
Have you read our guide to local music shops and choosing instruments? Where to buy music and instruments This blog post lists some of our local music shops and gives specific advice on clarinets, pianos and more.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may repeat return to playing as many times as you like or consider one of oyr recorder ensembles.
You may also be interested in general Musicianship classes and Music Appreciation courses.
Layil trained as an early music specialist, playing recorders and bass viol, and now has a versatile career, touring and recording internationally with early music ensembles and fusion projects. Past collaborations include Les Concert De Nations under the direction of Jordi Savall, Charivari Agreable, Baroccada, Hamza Namira, Addictive TV, Donee, and Women in Music, amongst others. Layil also fell in love with Andalusian music learning to dance flamenco, and started to collaborate with musicians and dancers from different styles and places around the world. Her music celebrates these encounters. Layil's album "Strings Between Us" was recorded in 2020 and is available on Bandcamp. It features original music for bass viola da gamba, recorder, West African kora, double bass, percussion and a Flamenco dancer.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.