1. Breath Control:
Ensure that you have a good breath control.
- For the first phrase ("Row, row, row your boat"), you will need one long breath.
- For the second phrase ("Gently down the stream"), you will need two short breaths at the beginning, and then one long breath for the rest of the phrase.
2. Notes Required
The notes you will need to play are:
- G
- A
- B
- C (high)
- D
*Note: This song is often played in the key of C, but I've written it in the key of G to make it easier for beginners.*
3. Rhythm
The rhythm for "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" is as follows:
- Each quarter note gets one count.
- Each eighth note gets half a count.
- Each dotted half note gets three counts.
4. Playing the Song:
"Row, row, row your boat,"
- Start with G note
- Play G for 1 count.
- Play A for 1 count
- Play B for 1 count
- Play C high for 1 count
- Play C high for 1 count
- Play B for 1 count
- Play A for 1 count
- Play G for 1 count
- Hold the G note for 3 counts.
"Gently down the stream,"
- Play C high for half a count
- Play B for half a count
- Play C high for half a count
- Play B for half a count
- Play A for 2 counts
- Play G for 1 count
- Play F sharp for 1 count
- Play G for 1 count
- Hold the G note for 3 counts
"Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,"
- Play G for half a count
- Play A for half a count
- Play G for half a count
- Play A for half a count
- Play G for half a count
- Play F sharp for half a count
- Play G for 2 counts
- Play A for 2 counts
- Play B for 2 counts
"Life is but a dream."
- Play C high for half a count
- Play B for half a count
- Play C high for half a count
- Play B for half a count
- Play A for 2 counts
- Play D for 2 counts
- Play A for 1 count
- Hold the A note for 3 counts
Practice until you are comfortable with the notes, rhythm, and breath control.
Remember, it's okay to play slowly at first and gradually increase the speed as you get more comfortable.
With practice, you'll be able to play "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" beautifully on the recorder.