📖

Tonguing Techniques

Advanced Recorder Techniques

Day 101of 180
Week 21of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand three different recorder tonguing techniques: legato, staccato, and marcato

2

Demonstrate proper tongue placement for clear articulation

3

Develop listening skills to distinguish between articulation styles

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 15:1

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”

— Proverbs 15:1 (WEB)

Just as different ways of speaking can change the meaning and impact of words, different tonguing techniques change the expression of music

📦 Materials Needed

  • Recorder
  • BibleMouse Advanced Recorder Method Book
  • Music stand
  • Articulation practice sheet
  • Water bottle
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Welcome to today's BibleMouse music lesson! Let's review our previous recorder skills and get ready to explore how our tongue can create different sounds.

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about tempo in our last lesson?
2Teaching (8 min)

Today we'll learn how your tongue can create different musical 'voices' on the recorder. Just like how we use different tones when we speak, musicians use different tonguing techniques to express music.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Legato: Smooth, connected notes (like singing a long sentence)
  • Staccato: Short, crisp notes (like quick, separate words)
  • Marcato: Emphasized, slightly separated notes (like speaking with intention)
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How might these different techniques change how a song feels?
  • Can you think of ways different speaking styles change a message?
3Activity: Tonguing Technique Explorer (10 min)
instrument practice

Practice each articulation style on simple recorder notes, listening carefully to the sound differences

📝 Instructions:
  1. Start with a simple scale using legato technique
  2. Repeat the scale using staccato technique
  3. Experiment with marcato articulation
  4. Record yourself to hear the differences
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Focus on two articulation styles instead of three

Challenge: Create a short musical phrase using all three techniques

4Closing (3 min)

Recap the three tonguing techniques and how they change musical expression

📝 Review Questions:
  • What are the three tonguing techniques we learned?
  • Which technique was most challenging for you?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore breath control and how it connects to our articulation skills

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Articulation is a nuanced skill that develops with patient practice

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use a mirror to help child observe tongue placement
  • Be encouraging - precise articulation takes time to develop
  • Listen together and discuss the sound differences
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children often find staccato and marcato techniques challenging due to precise tongue movement

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Consistent tongue placement and intentional sound production

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a musical story using different articulation techniques
  • Listen to professional recorder performances and identify articulation styles
  • Use BibleMouse Printables Library for articulation practice worksheets

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 102 →Back to Music