Second Level Beginner Recorder Classes

The American Recorder Society is offering "Second Level" classes via Zoom on a variety of topics. Classes are designed for students who are relatively new to recorder, but are familiar with most fingerings on their instrument and can read music.
There is no cost to register for these classes, but they are
available to ARS members, only. If you have taken one of our "FREE Online Classes for Beginners," this may be your next step!
These classes are limited in size to allow for interaction between the teacher and students.
ARS members are asked to please sign up for no more than two "Second Level" classes, in order to allow a larger number of people to take advantage of these opportunities.Some classes offer instruction on soprano (or tenor) recorders, and others 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 45 minutes in length, including a period for questions and answers.
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 Upcoming Class:
Second Level Bass with Jody Miller Prerequisites: Either participation in the Beginning Bass class or the ability to play recorder at least one octave while reading bass clef.
Many think that the bass lines are the easiest to play. After all, the bass line can often be less technically demanding and might even have more rests than the other lines. Experienced ensemble players know that a weak bass player can really hold back the progress of an ensemble. The bass line is truly the foundation upon which a piece is written, defining the chord structure, the rhythmic backbone, and even the core sound of the group. In this class, participants will learn to analyze and play idiomatic bass lines that set up an ensemble for success. We’ll also learn a bit about the inconsistencies of publishers and how to play music written in treble clef and how the bass recorder might sometimes function as the alto or tenor voice within the ensemble. Sessions will be presented through Zoom. A computer with good speakers or high quality headphones are suggested.
Dates:
Tuesday, January 20 at 7 PM ET (6 PM CT; 5 PM MT, 4 PM PT)
Thursday, January 22 at 7 PM ET (6 PM CT; 5 PM MT, 4 PM PT)
Tuesday, January 27 at 7 PM ET (6 PM CT; 5 PM MT, 4 PM PT)
Thursday, January 29 at 7 PM ET (6 PM CT; 5 PM MT, 4 PM PT)
Register HERE!
Second Level Soprano/Tenor with Laura Kuhlman
Prerequisites: Attendees are expected to be able to play low C to high G (octave and a 5th including F#s and Bbs) and read those notes and general rhythmic patterns on the music staff. All music will be provided. You don't need to be confident, just familiar with these skills - we'll work on improving them further. All materials will be provided by the instructor.â¨â
The soprano (and tenor) recorder gets a bad reputation for sounding shrill and squeaky! But it is capable of being a beautiful solo instrument as well as an ensemble companion. Join professional performer/teacher Laura Kuhlman for this class focused on sound/tone production, all while continuing to better understand the fundamentals of recorder technique. Conquer your fears and learn how expressive the recorder can be!
Dates:
Tuesday, February 10th, 7PM ET (6PM CT CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Thursday, February 12th, 7PM ET (6PM CT CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Tuesday, February 17th, 7PM ET (6PM CT CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Thursday, February 19th, 7PM ET (6PM CT CT, 5PM MT, 4PM PT)
Register HERE!
Check back to see when more classes are scheduled! Completed:Continuing Technique (alto recorder) with a focus on low and high notes âwith Marea Chernoff 11/5/25-11/26/25Tone & Phrasing: Second Level Soprano/Tenor with Laura Townsend 11/3/25-11/13/25Second Level Soprano/Tenor with Lewis Baratz 8/4/25-8/25/25Tone & Phrasing: Second Level Alto with Jennifer Carpenter 7/28/25-8/6/25Second Level Soprano/Tenor Class with Cornell Kinderknecht 5/12/25-5/21/25Second Level Soprano/Tenor Class with Annette Bauer 3/18/25-3/27/25Continuing Alto Technique with Anne Timberlake 2/4/25-2/24/25Learn to Play Bass Recorder with Tish Berlin 12/3/24-12/12/24Tone and Phrasing with Jennifer Carpenter (Soprano/Tenor) 9/23/24-10/3/24Second Level Beginners' Class with Lewis Baratz: Continuing Technique (Alto)6/3/24 - 6/22/24Second Level Beginners' Class with Greta Haug-Hryciw: "Lost & Found," Finding Your Way in the Music (any recorder)3/19/24 - 3/30/24Second Level Beginners' Class with Jody Miller: Continuing Technique (Soprano/Tenor)1/30/24-2/10/24Second Level Beginners' Class with Lisette Kielson: Continuing Technique (Alto)1/3/24-1/13/24Second Level Beginners' Class with Marea Chernoff: Continuing Technique (alto recorder)6/19/23-6/29/23Second Level Beginners' Class For New Bass Players with Tish Berlin3/13/23-3/23/23Second Level Beginners' Class with Jennifer Carpenter: Tone and Phrasing (Soprano/Tenor)12/4/22-12/14/22Second Level Beginners' Class with Tish Berlin: Continuing Technique (alto recorder)10/10/22-10/20/22Second Level Beginners' Class with Vicki Boeckman: Continuing Technique (soprano/tenor recorder)4/5/22 - 4/15/22Second Level Beginners' Class with Larry Lipnik: A Renaissance Consort Primer (any recorder)3/1/22 - 3/10/22Second Level Beginner's Class with Annette Bauer: Continuing Technique (soprano/tenor recorder)11/2/21 - 11/23/21Second Level Beginner's Class with Heloise Degrugillier: Continuing Technique (alto recorder)9/7/21 - 9/28/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Larry Lipnik: A Renaissance Consort Primer (any recorder)5/11/21 - 5/20/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Greta Haug-Hryciw: Focus on Expressivity (soprano/tenor recorder)5/8/21 - 5/29/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Tish Berlin: Learning Bass Recorder3/31/21 - 4/21/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Miyo Aoki: Continuing Technique (alto recorder)3/23/21 - 4/13/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Sarah Cantor: Playing Duets on Alto Recorder3/15/21 - 3/25/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Lisette Kielson: Continuing Technique (soprano/tenor recorder)2/27/21 - 3/20/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Jody Miller: Helping Soprano Players Transition to Alto2/9/21 - 2/18/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Anne Timberlake: Build Your Tone (alto recorder)2/2/21 - 2/23/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Daphna Mor: Approaching Folk Music on Recorder (soprano/tenor recorder)2/1/21 - 2/11/21Second Level Beginners' Class with Jennifer Carpenter: Approaching the Baroque (alto recorder)1/24/21 - 2/3/21