Recorder Boppers
Multiboppers:

My brief from Coventry PAS was to write pieces, using the RecorderBopper formula, which would instantly engage, inspire and continue to hold the attention of 200 players in one large hall throughout a warm summers day. I was told that most could just about manage the left hand notes ( I taught them E on the day), while others, hoping to join the National Youth Recorder Orchestra were getting to grips with Telemann and Handel. Obviously there needed to be more than one recorder part, and the parts needed to be differentiated.

This situation was extreme, but the problem of coping with even quite small mixed ability groups is all too common. The pieces are composed so that the simplest part can be performed without the other part(s), but the more technically demanding part(s) become prominent in places once they are added, and provide an alternative melody if the simple part is missing.

Each piece can be purchased in two formats :-

Option a) a score booklet containing all recorder parts and a piano reduction of the recorded accompaniment. – one (photocopiable) copy of each recorder part (low descant 3 parts are also written out for treble recorder) – a CD with recordings of all parts played together, each part played separately, the entire accompaniment at performance and slow practice speeds, short sections (at both speeds) so the piece can be learned a section at a time (perhaps over several lessons) then joined together a bit at a time.

Option b) the booklet and parts can be downloaded as pdf files together with recordings (in mp3 format) of the accompaniment at both performance and slow practice speeds.

THE KUKE

A jokey mix of Hip Hop and Techno to which the first performers responded instantly. The melodies are catchy and memorable. The piece has a swung quaver jazzy feel and contains syncopated rhythms that any young person will quickly and easily learn by ear.

Part 1 notes d c B A G

Part 2 notes c B A G F E (D C) this part splits into 2 occasionally, so not all players need low D & C

Option a) £7.20 inc. U.K. p+p
CD - recorder / piano score – desc.1 part – desc.2 part – desc.3 part – treble part
Option b) £2.75
Download :-
PDF files of recorder / piano score – desc.1 part – desc.2 part – desc.3 part – treble part
MP3 files of accompaniment at both performance and (slower) rehearsal speeds.
Chamber of Delights

Simple, conventional recorder melodies with straightforward rhythms accompanied by a chamber orchestra. This piece would not have sounded out of place in Queen Victoria’s drawing room .

Part 1 notes d c B A G E

Part 2 notes B A G F# E D

Option a) £6.30 inc. U.K. p+p
CD - recorder / piano score – desc.1 part – desc.2 part – desc.3 part – treble part
Option b) £2.10
Download :-
PDF files of recorder / piano score – desc.1 part – desc.2 part
MP3 files of accompaniment at both performance and (slower) rehearsal speeds.
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Bells at High Altitude

The sound of Tibetan bells features in the gentle, rippling accompaniment which gradually builds and intensifies to evoke vast, empty vistas of high sierras and distant mountain peaks. The range of notes may look challenging, but there is no fast movement or complicated fingering.

Part 1 notes d c B A G F#

Part 2 notes e d c# c B A G# G F# E

Part 3 notes e d# c# c B Bb A G# G F# E D C# C

Option a) £7.20 inc. U.K. p+p
CD - recorder / piano score – desc.1 part – desc.2 part – desc.3 part – treble part
Option b) £2.75
Download :-
PDF files of recorder / piano score – desc.1 part – desc.2 part – desc.3 part – treble part
MP3 files of accompaniment at both performance and (slower) rehearsal speeds.
Tricycle Trix – duet or small group

The rhythmic feel is that of a jazz waltz, so the 1st quaver of every pair is played longer than the 2nd. All the syncopated rhythms are commonplace in contemporary popular music, so I strongly recommend learning from the CD and using the printed music as a support to aural learning. The accompaniment employs the standard jazz rhythm section line up of piano, bass and drums.

Part 1 notes e d c# c B A G F# F E

Part 2 notes e d c# c B Bb A G# G F# F E D C

Option a) £6.80 inc. U.K. p+p
CD - recorder / piano score – desc.1 part – desc.2 part – desc.3 part – treble part
Option b) £2.50
Download :-
PDF files of recorder / piano score – desc.1 part – desc.2 part – desc.3 part – treble part
MP3 files of accompaniment at both performance and (slower) rehearsal speeds.