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!
Playlist
| I want to play it on the recorder! Carefully selected classic pieces and popular songs recommended | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | PythagoraSwitch Opening ThemeKurihara Masami |  play_arrow | PythagoraSwitch theme song, full of playfulness |
| 2 | My Neighbor TotoroHisaishi Joe |  play_arrow | Let's gently play Joe Hisaishi's famous song on the recorder |
| 3 | A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko |  play_arrow | The appeal and emotion of the Evangelion opening theme |
| 4 | Darth Vader’s ThemeJohn Williams |  play_arrow | The majestic musical allure of the Imperial March |
| 5 | Theme of Lupin the ThirdŌno Yūji |  play_arrow | Anime masterpiece songs: memorable melodies and grand allure |
| 6 | I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu |  play_arrow | Sakamoto Kyu’s “Ue o Muite Arukō,” a worldwide hit song |
| 7 | Lovers’ ConcertoSandy Linzer and Denny Randell |  play_arrow | Elevating classical music into pop |
| 8 | Song of SeedsSutoroberī Furawā |  play_arrow | Pikmin commercial jingle: vivid descriptions of each color’s traits |
| 9 | A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joe |  play_arrow | The captivating opening music of Ghibli films |
| 10 | paprikaFoorin |  play_arrow | NHK’s cheer song: Foorin is hugely popular |
| 11 | Hedwig’s ThemeJohn Williams |  play_arrow | The Harry Potter theme song is the magical world. |
| 12 | Thank youikimonogakari |  play_arrow | A heartwarming classic filled with gratitude |
| 13 | Princess MononokeMera Yoshikazu |  play_arrow | Be captivated by Yoshikazu Mera’s ethereal singing voice |
| 14 | MiracleGReeeeN |  play_arrow | A moving song that depicts the miracle and journey of love. |
| 15 | A Whole New WorldAran Menken |  play_arrow | Play a song from Aladdin on the recorder |
| 16 | Hi-hoFrank Churchill |  play_arrow | The marching melody of Snow White’s dwarfs |
| 17 | SenbonzakuraKurousa-P |  play_arrow | Wafū rock: a contrast between tradition and modernity |
| 18 | The way homeAntonín Dvořák |  play_arrow | Dvořák: From the New World, Second Movement |
| 19 | puffPeter, Paul & Mary |  play_arrow | A Friendship Story of a Magical Dragon and a Boy |
| 20 | dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo |  play_arrow | Prayers for peace, gemlike songs that soothe the heart |
| 21 | Marigoldaimyon |  play_arrow | Aimer's signature song, Marigold |
| 22 | strong wind slicked-back hairyukopi |  play_arrow | An explosively popular song on YouTube |
| 23 | strollHisaishi Joe |  play_arrow | 'Sanpo' from Totoro, a song popular with children |
| 24 | Bridge of Gloryyuzu |  play_arrow | A moving song with an appealing recorder tone |
| 25 | 100% CourageNYC |  play_arrow | Nintama Rantarō theme, Song of Courage |
| 26 | Mickey Mouse MarchJimmie Dodd |  play_arrow | Disney classic songs, bright and cheerful magic |
| 27 | Always With MeKimura Yumi |  play_arrow | Ghibli’s “Chihiro” song, performed on the recorder |
| 28 | idolYOASOBI |  play_arrow | YOASOBI’s song for the anime “Oshi no Ko” |
| 29 | swallowYOASOBI with Midorīzu |  play_arrow | A song of small kindness and hope |
| 30 | Sakura, sakura |  play_arrow | A beautiful traditional Japanese song that resonates with the heart |
| 31 | My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion |  play_arrow | Celine Dion’s classic, singing of undying love |
| 32 | majestic and dignifiedEdowādo Erugā |  play_arrow | Tips for Performing Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” |
| 33 | The Pigeon and the BoyHisaishi Joe |  play_arrow | A simple and beautiful classic from Castle in the Sky (Laputa) |
| 34 | Please give me wingsMurai Kunihiko |  play_arrow | The allure of a masterpiece that sings of the wish for freedom |
| 35 | hometownOkanoteiichi |  play_arrow | The charm and emotion of nostalgic Ministry of Education shōka (school songs) |
| 36 | Message of RougeArai Yumi |  play_arrow | A famous song by Yumi Arai, known from Ghibli films |
| 37 | CanonJohann Pachelbel |  play_arrow | Pachelbel’s Canon is a song that heals the heart. |
| 38 | Return to SorrentoNapori min’yō |  play_arrow | Beautiful Coasts and Love Songs of Italian Folk Music |
| 39 | Country RoadTaffī Naibāto, Jon Denbā |  play_arrow | The gentle tones of “Whisper of the Heart,” playable on a recorder |
| 40 | Grandfather’s ClockHenrī Kurei Wāku |  play_arrow | The history of how foreign songs became beloved in Japan |
| 41 | Triumphal MarchGiuseppe Verdi |  play_arrow | Triumphal March from the opera Aida |
| 42 | Over the RainbowHarold Arlen |  play_arrow | Song of hope, a dream played on the recorder |
| 43 | The sound of musicRichard Rodgers |  play_arrow | Expressing the joy of nature and music in the Alps |
| 44 | GreensleevesInguranndo min’yō |  play_arrow | The melancholy of a broken heart, medieval melodies played on a recorder |
| 45 | Carrying YouInoue Azumi |  play_arrow | The moving song from Castle in the Sky (Laputa) |
| 46 | We Look Up to You with Respect |  play_arrow | Graduation songs: the charm of timeless classics |
| 47 | MinuetJ.S.Bach |  play_arrow | The Minuet is a masterpiece that Bach bestowed. |
| 48 | Spring StreamOkanoteiichi |  play_arrow | Spring Brook, a classic song rooted in Japan |
| 49 | EdelweissJohn Williams |  play_arrow | 'Edelweiss' is a famous song expressing love for one's homeland. |
| 50 | Donguri KorokoroYariya Tei |  play_arrow | The Taisho-era classic “Song of Spring” |
| 51 | Little Brown Jug |  play_arrow | The recorder classic 'Little Brown Jug' |
| 52 | Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu |  play_arrow | Kyu Sakamoto’s classic: a song of hope and bonds |
| 53 | Small WorldRobāto Shāman, Richādo Shāman |  play_arrow | Performing Disney classic songs on the recorder |
| 54 | contrailMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | Let's sing Yumi Matsutoya's heart-touching masterpieces. |
| 55 | soap bubbleNakayama Shimpei |  play_arrow | The deep meaning of children’s songs played on the recorder |
| 56 | Being human is niceKobayashi Asei |  play_arrow | The ending theme song of “Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi” |
| 57 | When the Saints Go Marching In |  play_arrow | New Orleans jazz funeral parade |
| 58 | threadNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Let's cover Miyuki Nakajima's classic song on the recorder |
| 59 | Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | Motohiro Hata’s warm singing voice, a theme song of friendship and hope |
| 60 | Kitearashi |  play_arrow | A song of hope and challenge by Kenshi Yonezu and Arashi |
| 61 | Flowers will bloom.Kanno Yōko |  play_arrow | A heartfelt song imbued with hope and longing for one’s hometown |
| 62 | School of MedakaNakata Yoshinao |  play_arrow | Introducing the history and charm of the children’s song “Usagi” |
| 63 | Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi |  play_arrow | Expressing deep feelings for an older brother in an Okinawan song |
| 64 | Wish Upon a StarLeigh Harline |  play_arrow | Disney classics, captivating on the recorder |
| 65 | Aura LeeGeorge Poulton |  play_arrow | A famous song of the Civil War, a song of love and farewell |
| 66 | Song of TeruTeshima Aoi |  play_arrow | A moving song that depicts silence and solitude |
| 67 | March 9Remioromen |  play_arrow | Remioromen's moving spring song |