The Nine-Note Recorder Method and
Easy Duets for Christians
by Penny Gardner
Reviewed by Carly Robinson
Purchase details: The Nine-Note Recorder Method ($10.95) and Easy Duets for Christians ($19.95) by Penny Gardner. Please support HomeschoolChristian.com by buying these books using the Amazon links in this review.
The Nine-Note Recorder Method
Penny Gardner's The Nine-Note Recorder Method offers an excellent beginning for students at least eight years of age. First, Mrs. Gardner teaches the young musicians all about notes, time signatures, duets and trios. She also has several helpful tips on the recorder. As students learn the nine notes that are used, they play traditional tunes such as "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Hot Cross Buns." Once the students successfully memorize the notes and their places on the musical staff, they start to play more complicated pieces, such as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and "Down by the Station."
This book comes with a Play-along CD. There is also a page of blank sheet music on which the musician may write his/her own music, and a sheet of blank recorders to help with learning the notes.
Easy Duets for Christians
Easy Duets for Christians offers one hundred fifty Christian-based duets for the recorder. Mrs. Penny Gardner remarks, "Easy Duets for Christians continues in the tradition of my original book. It assumes that you either went through the Nine Note Recorder Method or that you have the basics of reading music and playing the recorder."
There are many well-known songs included, such as "Amazing Grace," and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," as well as some less-known tunes like "Room for Thee" and "Scatter Seeds of Kindness." Easy Duets for Christians is a great way to practice and improve with the recorder.
Recommendation: While this program does not teach musical theory, it would be especially suitable for an elementary grade student or a family that is not very musical, because it is very straight-forward and easy-to-use. Most young musicians will not be frustrated by this program. It teaches the notes and their usage very gently with plenty of songs for practice.
HomeschoolChristian.com resources related to this review:
HomeschoolChristian.com's Music Resources Section for help teaching and appreciating music!
Review of Hymns for a Kid's Heart
Review of The Hidden Choir
Review of Bible Songs by Kathy Troxel
About the Review
Carly Robinson, at the time of this review, is a homeschooled eleven-year-old girl who enjoys to be with horses, write stories and poems, and, in the summer, go to the neighborhood swimming pool. She loves to read, and as her mother has many books, is constantly buried in one of them.
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