These are books for teachers who are musical, creative, and busy
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The site has resources for teachers and students.
Click on the Downloads tab above to find audio files for songs and pieces.
If you’d like to find out more about the books, click on their tabs above. You can also see a few sample pages (PDF) from Introducing. Download a corrected Page 68 of Exploring here.
“After three months, my 66 seventh graders were prepared to give an excellent performance of polyphonic and multipart harmonized pieces…. I found my students so well-prepared that [they] … demonstrated a sound understanding of the principles of music theory and the way the composer-as-artist creates meaning in his music.” Lenore Wilkison, music educator
The Approach
Play – Analyze – Play some more
Students use their experiences playing the recorder to deepen their understanding of music. They then apply those understandings to learn to play better.
“IRMT delivers music theory without the terror that anything called “theory” ordinarily provokes…. students need not fear this book. At the same time, IRMT delivers solid theory using the standard terms and phrases of serious musicianship…. Students who successfully complete a study of the entire book will command a knowledge of sight reading, song writing and improvisation, time signatures, major and minor keys, chords, scales, harmonies, and (with the teacher’s and other students’ help) ensemble performance. No small feat for a 150-page book!” Rick Stevens, attorney and music aficionado
What is a recorder?
It’s a real musical instrument, it’s ancient (dating from the 15th century or before), it’s inexpensive (some stores sell them for about $10), and it’s not too hard to learn. My books have pictures of recorders on the covers.
Do I have to learn music theory?
Knowing some music theory is just a way to be musically literate. Students find that they can learn to play music more quickly and better when they understand music theory.
What kind of music can recorders play?
Lots of different kinds! Listen to the audio files of repertoire for Book 1and repertoire for Book 2 to get an idea of the music that is in the books. Look at the side panel to the right to see which are the most popular songs. Each book includes over 50 pieces and songs to play on the recorder.
Introducing the Recorder and Music Theory is for beginners. It covers all the basics including notes, phrasing, and fingerings.
Exploring the Recorder and Music Theory is for students with some music background.
Both books include repertoire students enjoy performing. Students learn to play by ear and improvise, too.
See also: