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How to Play Slow Ride on a Recorder

Recorders have eight holes: seven on the front of the instrument, which are played with the first, middle and ring fingers on each hand, plus the right pinkie finger, and a hole on the back meant for the left thumb. The most common tuning for a recorder is in C, or "concert key," meaning there are no sharps or flats in the key signature. This makes playing "Slow Ride" by Foghat pretty straightforward, because the song is in a major key and has no accidentals, meaning added sharps or flats. In the key of C, the chorus for "Slow Ride" is made up of three notes: B, G and F.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the numbers associated with each finger position and note. Holes are numbered 0 through 7. 0 is the thumb hole, 1 is your left index finger, which should be covering the front hole closest to your mouth. 2 is your left middle finger; 3 your left ring finger; 4 your right index finger; 5 your right middle finger; 6 your right ring finger, and 7 is your right pinkie finger.

    • 2

      Learn the notes for the chorus to "Slow Ride." Play a B by holding down holes 0 and 1 and blowing through the recorder's mouthpiece. Play an F by holding down holes 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. Play a G by holding down holes 0, 1, 2 and 3.

    • 3

      Play the "Slow Ride" chorus in the right order of notes: B, G, F (Slow ride), G, F, B, G, F (Take it easy).

    • 4

      Learn the notes for the stanzas. Foghat sings this part in five sections "I'm in the mood," then "The rhythm is right," then "Move to the music," followed by "We can roll all night," and "Slow ride." The notes for the first section is: B, B, G, B. The second section is: B, B, G, E (second octave). The third section is E, D, C, D, G. The fourth section is: D, C, F, F, F. The final section is holding an F note.

    • 5

      Learn how to play higher notes on the recorder. For the stanzas, you will have to learn to play a second octave, which are higher-pitched notes. The higher notes you'll have to play are: C, D, E and F. To play a high C, hold down the 0 and 2 hole. For a high D, hold down the 2 hole. To play a high E, hold down holes 1 through 5, and cover the 0 hole halfway with your thumb. To play a high F, hold down holes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, and cover the 0 hole halfway with your thumb.

    • 6

      Learn how to play the notes for the stanza on the recorder. The note order for the stanza is: B, B, G, B, B, B, G, high E, high E, high D, high C, high D, G, high D, high C, high F, high F, high F.

    • 7

      Play the chorus, as explained in Step 3, followed by the stanzas, as explained in Step 6. Repeat to play the whole song.

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