SP2318 - The Sweet Pipes Recorder Book - Alto - Book 1 Sheet music – January 1, 1982

I got this book and another one, both highly reviewed, to help me learn the alto after playing soprano for a few years (self-taught). This book was the one that worked best for me. (The other book switched back and forth between playing the soprano and the alto which was just confusing and annoying.) The melodies in this book are beautiful, and the fingering exercises are short and fun while still effective. The other reviews here are spot on. Get this book!

nice and simple

Just the thing for teaching yourself to play alto recorder. You still have to read music first, hoeever.

I learned how to play a soprano recorder as a child, like so many other people. Many years later, I decided to take up recorder again, but I liked the slightly lower range of the alto, so I bought that, as well as The Sweet Pipes Recorder Book to learn how to play it.If you've never read music at all before, you'll need another source to walk you through the very basics. Even with some musical training throughout grade school, I had to look up a couple of notations that I couldn't remember. Still I think this is a good introduction to the alto recorder and solid book for learning how to play it.

Great addition to our music book collection.

Very satisfying! As others have pointed out, this is not a book for the very beginning musician; it presumes ability to read music. Thus, it was perfect for me. Within a few lessons, you feel like you are transported back in time, perhaps to the royal courts of England. No ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ or “Hot Cross Buns’ (thank Heaven!), but rather, tunes from old English and French Christmas carols and melodies composed by Praetorius, Susato, and others.The exercises are short, which is appropriate for a ‘Book One.’ Each lesson presents a new note (with a new fingering combination to get used to) and a couple of pages of exercises carefully chosen to practice the new skill. I hope ‘Book Two’ becomes available; I was sad to reach the end of this delightful and inexpensive little volume. The last several pages are devoted to ensemble pieces.Highly recommended.

This is an excellent book for learning alto recorder. It's highly recommended by recorder experts.

It's wonderful for people like me who are refreshing what they once knew. Or if you have prior music experience. Right away you are playing tunes, mostly early Rennaissance or folk tunes. Buy the second book to continue up to the higher registers. If you get confused on what the song is supposed to sound like, you can find most of the tunes on Youtube performed by early music or dance performers.