FREE Online Recorder Classes for Beginners

The American Recorder Society is offering FREE Online Recorder Classes for Beginners! If you have never played recorder before, or if it has been eons since you have played, start here! Each class consists of four sessions offered via Zoom, taught by professional teaching members of the American Recorder Society.
You don't need to be an ARS member to take these classes! Anyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to introduce your friends and family to the recorder.
Some classes offer instruction on soprano (or tenor) recorders, and others start on alto recorder. Check the class description to see which recorder you will need and whether you will need to purchase a method book or whether materials will be provided by the teacher. If the teacher is supplying instructional materials you'll receive a download link for these materials a few days before class. Each class is about 35 minutes in length, including a period for questions and answers.
NEW! Are you ready for the next level? Click HERE!Teachers will typically offer suggestions for materials you can use for further study on your own, or you may choose to arrange for individual lessons with your teacher, or any of our many
teaching professionals who offer online instruction.
Next FREE Online Recorder Classes for Beginners:
Beginner Bass with Jody Miller
This class is made possible in part by a generous donation from Claudia Holmes of the Lakeland and Sarasota ARS chapters.
Prerequisites:
- At least rudimentary knowledge of the following music terms and associated symbols: staff, clef sign, whole note, half note, quarter note
- At least rudimentary experience playing either recorder or another musical instrument
Not too long ago, it was rare to find a bass recorder among a group of recorder players. With the common availability of sizes that are even larger than the bass, it has become almost as commonplace as the other sizes. For smaller hands, the bass is generally easier to play than a tenor recorder. Jody will take class participants through the beginning stages of playing bass recorder, focusing on correct posture and instrument position, tips for improving breath control and tone production, exercises in reading in bass clef, and information about the use of the bass recorder as a solo instrument and as an ensemble instrument. We’ll also learn to properly care for the instrument so you can keep it in tip top shape. Sessions will be presented through Zoom. A computer with good speakers or high quality headphones are suggested.
Dates:
Tuesday, January 6 at 7 PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Thursday, January 8 at 7 PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Tuesday, January 13 at 7 PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Thursday, January 15 at 7 PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Register HERE!
Beginner Soprano/Tenor with Laura Kuhlman
Join us for ARS's next Free Online Beginners' Course for Soprano/Tenor Recorder! Whether you're new to the recorder or it's been years since you last played, this is the perfect opportunity to dive into the basics of this versatile and expressive instrument. Professional performer and teacher Laura Kuhlman will lead you through engaging lessons that will help you develop practical musical skills. The course is open to all ages, though children should be accompanied by an adult during the sessions. All materials will be provided by the instructor.
Dates:
Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, at 7PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Thursday, January 15th, 2026, at 7PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, at 7PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, at 7PM ET (6PM CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Register HERE!
Watch this space for more classes to be offered! COMPLETED CLASSES:FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano/Tenor with Laura Townsend 9/29/25-10/9/25FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Marea Chernoff 9/24/25-10/15/25FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Jennifer Carpenter 6/30-7/9/25FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano/Tenor with Lewis Baratz 6/16/25-7/25/25FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Lisette Kielson 3/5/25-3/15/25FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano/Tenor with Annette Bauer 1/14/25-2/4/25FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Anne Timberlake 1/7/25-1/28/25FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Lawrence (Larry) Zukof 11/10/24-11/20/24FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano/Tenor with Emily O'Brien 10/28/24-11/18/24FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Tish Berlin 10/15/24-10/24/24FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Jody Miller 8/6/24-8/15/24FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano/Tenor with Teresa Deskur 6/11/24-6/20/24FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Susan Richter 4/2/24-4/11/24FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano with Jennifer Carpenter 1/16/24-1/25/24FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Miyo Aoki 10/21/23-11/11/23FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano/Tenor with Lewis Baratz 9/11/23-9/30/23FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto with Lisette Kielson 8/2/23-8/12/23FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano/Tenor with Annette Bauer 5/2/23-5/23/23FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto Recorder with Lawrence (Larry) Zukof 3/23/23-4/2/23FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto Recorder with Jamie Allen 11/29/22-12/20/22FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Soprano/Tenor with Heloise Degrugillier10/18/22-11/8/22FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Alto Recorder with Anne Timberlake 9/20/22-10/11/22FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Marea Chernoff (alto recorder)6/21/22-6/30/22FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Miyo Aoki (soprano/tenor recorder)5/2/22-5/12/22FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners - Learn to Read Music with Lawrence Zukof (alto recorder)3/20/22 - 4/10/22FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Jody Miller (alto recorder)3/1/22 - 3/10/22FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Glen Shannon (soprano/tenor recorder)1/16/22 - 1/26/22FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Lawrence Zukof (alto recorder)10/24/21 - 11/3/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Jennifer Carpenter (soprano or tenor recorder)7/19/21 - 7/29/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Andrew Levy (alto recorder)6/19/21 - 6/27/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Annette Bauer (soprano recorder)5/4/21 - 5/25/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Heloise Degrugillier (alto recorder)4/8/21 - 4/29/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Vicki Boeckman (alto recorder)3/16/21 - 3/26/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Emily O'Brien (soprano/tenor recorder)3/4/21 - 3/25/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Jennifer Streeter (alto recorder) 2/3/21-2/13/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Miyo Aoki (alto recorder)1/12/21-1/23/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Jody Miller (soprano recorder)1/5/21 - 1/14/21FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Patrick O'Malley (alto recorder)12/1/20 - 12/11/20FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Sarah Cantor (soprano or tenor recorder)11/2/20 - 11/12/20FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Jennifer Carpenter (alto recorder)9/29/20 - 10/10/20FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Tish Berlin (soprano or tenor recorder)9/22/20 - 10/1/20FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Anne Timberlake (alto recorder)8/15/20 - 8/25/20FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Lisette Kielson (soprano or tenor recorder)8/8/20-8/29/207/21/2020 - 8/1/2020FREE Online Recorder Class for Beginners with Jennifer Carpenter (alto recorder) 7/12/2020 - 7/22/2020