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