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I want to play it on the recorder! Carefully selected classic pieces and popular songs recommended

The recorder you learn in elementary school.

It’s one of those instruments that just about everyone has played, right?

At first, your fingerings might not go smoothly and the notes might crack, making it hard to play well.

But as you gradually learn to produce more notes, the range of songs you can play expands, and it becomes a lot more fun.

In this article, we’ll introduce recommended songs you’ll want to play on the recorder.

We’ve selected a variety of pieces across genres—from classic, relatively simple tunes that are easy to play to the latest popular hits—so pick up your recorder and read along!

I want to play it on the recorder! Carefully selected classic and popular songs (1–10)

Song of SeedsSutoroberī Furawā

Pikmin Species Song Soprano Recorder With Do-Re-Mi Fingering
Song of SeedsSutoroberī Furawā

Beloved as the commercial song for the game Pikmin 2, this piece sets the personalities and abilities of the colorful Pikmin—red, blue, yellow, and more—to a catchy melody.

The lyrics portray small beings with different traits—some strong, some resistant to fire—working together to survive, gently conveying the theme of diversity.

Arranged in a modern style from composer Shimpei Nakayama’s children’s song melody, it was released as a single in May 2004.

Its relaxed tempo and easy-to-hum melodic line make it perfect for recorder performance.

Even those unfamiliar with the game can enjoy its nostalgic tone!

A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joe

Seaside Town [Recorder] from the film “Kiki’s Delivery Service” • with Do-Re-Mi sheet music
A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joe

A refreshing song that graces the opening of a Studio Ghibli masterpiece.

It gently wraps the protagonist’s mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety about a new life in a bright, lighthearted melody.

Composed by Joe Hisaishi, this piece blends classical and pop elements beautifully, creating a distinctive atmosphere that musically evokes Europe’s charming old towns and seascapes.

When playing it on the recorder, start by carefully practicing the main melody, and then gradually broaden your expressive range—you’re sure to create a lovely performance.

paprikaFoorin

Easy/Paprika [Recorder] <NHK> 2020 Cheer Song – with Do-Re-Mi Sheet Music
paprikaFoorin

Here is the song that Kenshi Yonezu produced for the elementary and junior high school unit Foorin.

It serves as the theme song for the “NHK 2020 Support Song Project,” and it’s hugely popular among elementary school students—many kids can sing and dance to it perfectly.

Precisely because it’s such a popular song, there are probably many people who want to practice it on the recorder and be able to play it.

If you have an alto recorder, splitting into accompaniment and melody parts could make for a highly polished performance.

I want to play it on the recorder! Carefully selected classic and popular songs (11–20)

Hedwig’s ThemeJohn Williams

Hedwig's Theme [Recorder] from the movie Harry Potter • With Do-Re-Mi Sheet Music
Hedwig's ThemeJohn Williams

Released in 2001 as the main theme of the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, this piece has become beloved worldwide as the musical emblem of the entire series.

The mysterious melody composed by John Williams, paired with the timbre of the celesta, creates an enchanting atmosphere that feels like opening a door to the magical world, instantly evoking the world of Hogwarts.

The piece is characterized by a gentle melody in triple meter.

The minor-tinged melodic line can easily cause notes to flip, so caution is needed; however, once you get used to the fingering, the recorder’s simple tone will produce a magic-like resonance.

If you and your friends divide into melody and accompaniment parts, you can express an even grander magical world!

Thank youikimonogakari

“Everyone’s Recorder” Thank You (M8 Recorder Ensemble)
Thank youikimonogakari

This is a famous song by Ikimono-gakari that wraps feelings and gratitude for someone special in warm vocals and melody.

The lyrics, which straightforwardly convey a simple “thank you” to the person right in front of you, are filled with a heartwarming charm.

Released in May 2010, the song was used as the theme for the NHK morning drama Gegege no Nyobo and won the Excellence Award at the 52nd Japan Record Awards.

It has since been beloved in many settings, including being selected as the entrance march for high school baseball.

It’s a recommended piece when you want to express gratitude to someone dear or play a heartwarming tune on the recorder.

Princess MononokeMera Yoshikazu

"From Princess Mononoke" with recorder sheet music
Princess MononokeMera Yoshikazu

Many listeners were surely captivated by Yoshikazu Mera’s translucent voice and the music’s dreamlike soundscape! With its strikingly beautiful melody, this song is perfectly suited as the theme for a film with a grand, expansive worldview.

Released in July 1997 as the main theme, it drew significant attention alongside the film’s premiere.

Its relaxed tempo and uncomplicated rhythm also make it easy to play on the recorder.

To recreate the original’s wistful atmosphere, keep the lower-range phrases quiet and gradually increase the volume as the pitch rises to build intensity.

By focusing on expression, you can achieve a highly polished performance even with relatively few notes.

MiracleGReeeeN

“Everyone’s Recorder” Kiseki / GReeeeN
MiracleGReeeeN

A GReeeeN song that sings straight from the heart about love and gratitude.

Layering the “miracle” of two people meeting with the “track” they have walked together, its melody beautifully expresses a love that transcends time and has left a deep mark on many hearts.

Released in May 2008, the song was used as the theme for the TBS drama ROOKIES and was also selected as the entrance march for the opening ceremony of the 81st National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.

In 2017, it was further featured in a film based on the true stories of GReeeeN’s members, starring Tori Matsuzaka and Masaki Suda.

It is also cherished as a song that colors life’s important moments, such as weddings and graduations.