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

The sound of musicRichard Rodgers

The Sound of Music [Recorder 1] with Sheet Music

This famous song that opens the musical is a heartwarming piece that straightforwardly depicts the joy of the Alps’ nature and of music.

Following its 1959 Broadway premiere, it was sung in the 1965 film alongside sweeping Alpine scenery, etching itself into the memories of people around the world.

The movie soundtrack has sold over 20 million copies and was ranked 10th on the AFI’s “100 Years…100 Songs.” Its soaring melody is perfect for the recorder! Try expressing this hopeful song with your own flute.

majestic and dignifiedEdowādo Erugā

Recorder practice – Elgar “Pomp and Circumstance” with scale subtitles

Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar, familiar from award ceremonies and graduations.

The part we often hear in various settings comes from the middle of Pomp and Circumstance March No.

1.

Although it’s a march, the tempo is relaxed, so you can play it calmly without rushing.

If you play it in C major, you’ll only encounter a few sharps in a couple of spots, making it easy.

The latter half has sustained high notes, but if you play slowly, you can produce a solid sound—so keep practicing.

Be careful not to blow so forcefully that the notes crack or flip.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu

Look Up at the Stars at Night [Recorder] Kyu Sakamoto / With Do-Re-Mi Sheet Music

This is a signature song by Kyu Sakamoto, a singer representative of the Showa era, created with lyrics by Rokusu Eii (Eisuke “Rokusuke” Eno) and music by Tak Izumi as a number in a musical.

Set under the watchful stars of the night sky, it carries the theme of encouraging people to hold on to hope even in difficult times.

The lyrics convey the strength to overcome challenges through mutual support and the resolve to keep moving forward no matter how harsh the reality, and their heartfelt resonance is part of the song’s appeal.

Released in May 1963, the piece won the Composer’s Award at the 5th Japan Record Awards.

With a relaxed tempo, sparse notes, and a simple melody, it’s easy to play on the recorder.

However, playing it too flat will change the atmosphere, so try to be mindful of dynamics and phrasing.

It’s a song known across generations, making it perfect for group performances.

Mickey Mouse MarchJimmie Dodd

Mickey Mouse March recorder with Do-Re-Mi fingerings

A beloved Disney classic cherished by people of all ages, from children to adults.

Composed by Jimmy Dodd in 1955, it became instantly famous as the opening theme for the TV show The Mickey Mouse Club.

With its bright, bouncy rhythm and lyrics that celebrate friendship and participation, it’s a song that lifts your spirits just by listening.

Its narrow vocal range and easy-to-remember melody make it perfect for those trying the recorder for the first time.

Give it a try when you want to get in the mood before a trip to Disneyland, or when you want to have fun playing music with family and friends.

Over the RainbowHarold Arlen

Over the Rainbow Alto Recorder with Do-Re-Mi Fingerings Educational Art Company Instrumental Music for Junior High School Students

Why not try playing, on the recorder, a song sung by a girl who dreams of a hopeful world beyond the rainbow? Composed by Harold Arlen and known as a featured song in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, this classic captivates with its gentle tempo and profoundly moving, beautiful melody.

The tune begins with a striking octave leap, which, when played on the recorder’s clear tone, enhances its nostalgic atmosphere even more.

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Song, it carries a universal message that quietly celebrates the strength to hold onto hope even in difficult times.

It’s a perfect next challenge for those who’ve grown comfortable with fingerings!

GreensleevesInguranndo min’yō

Greensleeves Alto Recorder with Do-Re-Mi Fingering

This work, originating in 16th-century England, is marked by its hauntingly melancholic melody.

The lyrics, centered on heartbreak, tell a poignant tale of a male narrator who, despite lavish gifts and devoted service, is coldly rejected by a capricious woman.

Its subtly wistful mood pairs beautifully with the recorder’s simple timbre.

The piece is widely known in orchestral arrangements and as a Christmas carol, and is frequently used in films and television to evoke a medieval atmosphere.

Though simple, it offers rich expressive possibilities, making it a perfect next step for players who are becoming comfortable with fingerings.

Please give me wingsMurai Kunihiko

Give Me Wings (Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance) [Tried Playing on Recorder] with Sheet Music

Composed by Kunihiko Murai, this song is beloved by many as a classic that sings of a powerful longing for freedom.

Its simple yet touching melody and lyrics expressing the wish to soar across the sky like a bird captivate listeners and won’t let go.

Since its release in 1971, it has continued to be sung at school graduation ceremonies and various events, and in 2007 it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Brimming with the charm of folk music, this piece is also perfect for recorder performance.

Played with a gentle tone, it’s sure to become a wonderful rendition that resonates with listeners’ hearts.