Posture & Fingers
Recorder Technique Essentials
Adapted from my article in American Recorder, Vol. LXII, No. 2 (Summer 2021)
Posture is one of the foundations of good recorder playing. A well-aligned body not only prevents tension and injury but also makes breathing and sound production easier. In this article, we’ll look at body alignment, holding the recorder, finger position, and the role of the thumbs and embouchure.
General Body Alignment
Make sure your body is aligned in order to avoid unnecessary tension:
Head over heart, heart over pelvis. Keep the head balanced directly over the shoulders. Did you know your head weighs about 5 kg (11 pounds)? If it tilts forward or back, the neck and shoulder muscles must work extra hard, creating unnecessary tension.
Shoulders relaxed. Let them hang naturally—avoid lifting them, especially when nervous.
Knees loose. Don’t lock your knees; keep them soft.
Feet grounded. Stand with feet hip-width apart, weight evenly distributed.
Common problems to avoid:
A bent neck forward: the head pulls the spine out of alignment, the recorder drops almost parallel to the body, and the elbows shift behind you → tension in neck and shoulders.
A head tilted back: less common, but it also creates strain in the neck and cervical vertebrae.
Arms and elbows:
Hold the recorder at about a 45° angle in front of the body (not too far to the side).
Keep elbows hanging down, not pressed into the torso. Leave a little space between arms and body, but don’t lift the elbows—this only adds weight to the shoulders.
Awareness of space:
Focus on the space around you. Feel the circle your arms create while holding the recorder. Notice the space at your back, above your head, and even beneath your feet. Imagine the Earth supporting you. This awareness helps release tension, improves breathing, and calms nerves in performance.
Holding the Recorder
Technically, you can balance the recorder on two points of support, but using three points is far more stable and prevents stiffness in the left thumb:
Lower lip – always carries the instrument’s weight, even when you open the mouth to inhale.
Right thumb – placed between holes 4 and 5, perpendicular to the instrument.
Right little finger – rests just below the ridge above the last hole (not underneath the hole itself).
Without the third support, the left thumb tends to grip too tightly, creating pressure and limiting movement.
Exercise:
Play 012345 (E on soprano, A on alto).
Then play 0123 (G on soprano, C on alto), placing the little finger under the ridge.
Alternate between the two fingerings until the coordination is smooth.
Try the same with the left hand in the air—this forces the right hand to carry the weight and ensures stable balance.
Finger Position
Healthy finger posture is essential for comfort and long-term playing.
Avoid locked joints. Pressing with stiff fingers can wear out joints, leading to arthritis or tendonitis. The left thumb is especially vulnerable because the nerve channel there is very narrow.
Round fingers. Unlike straight-finger instruments (like the tin whistle or ney), recorders are designed for rounded fingers on the fleshy tips. Round fingers are more efficient, healthy, and natural.
Small, rounded movements. When lifting fingers, avoid raising them straight and too high—think of small, curved motions.
A practical tip:
Focus on three key fingers—the two middle fingers and the left thumb. Place the middle fingers slightly diagonally on their tips (on the fleshy part, not the very tip). This naturally positions the rest of the hand in a healthy way.
Thumb Position
Left Thumb
Cover the thumb hole with the area near the nail, usually slightly to the side.
Keep the nail clipped so it doesn’t dig into the wood when half-covering for higher notes.
To half-cover, bend the thumb joint like a folding door—it lowers the tip automatically.
Avoid pressing too hard or moving wrist/elbow—the motion should be a relaxed slide.
The joint should remain loose, not locked.
Right Thumb
Carries much of the recorder’s weight.
On larger instruments (tenor, voice flute), experiment with placing it at or slightly below hole 5 to reduce tension in the arm.
Remember: every hand is different—find the position that feels natural and free.
Embouchure
Keep the jaw loose and neutral, as if watching a film with your mouth slightly open.
The tip of the tongue is active for articulation; the rest stays relaxed.
The lips form a light U-shape (“kissy mouth”), with cheeks and area around the nose relaxed to serve as resonance chambers.
Inhale silently with an “ah” or “oh” shape, letting the recorder’s weight remain on the lower lip.
Semitones in the Right Hand
To half-cover holes 6 and 7 (for notes like G♯ on soprano or C♯ on alto), slide the whole hand slightly instead of moving just one finger. Use a small twisting + sideways motion of the wrist, like checking a watch while moving the hand outward. The fingers follow naturally, creating a clean half-hole without strain.
Final Thoughts
Posture is about freedom and balance. With an aligned body, relaxed arms, healthy finger shape, and stable support, playing becomes effortless. Combine this with the breathing and tone exercises from earlier articles, and your recorder sound will be both beautiful and sustainable.
