Playing It Safe: Social Distancing Resources

 

Playing It Safe: Social Distancing for Recorder Players

A Guide to ARS Resources

Click here to see More Social Distancing Resources!

Playing Alone

Play along with recorded accompaniments, available in the ARS Music Libraries. Click HERE for a link to the ARS Music Libraries Search page. In the "Style" search box, select "Recorded Accompaniment."
As a special ARS response to social distancing, click HERE to play a canonic duet with composer Jamie Allen (requires member login). 

Do you have play-along recordings that are too fast? Click HERE for suggestions for apps that can slow down recorded music.

Find music for a single recorder player in the ARS Music Libraries. Click HERE for a link to the ARS Music Libraries Search page. In the "Number of Recorder Parts" search boxes, enter "1" for both Minimum and Maximum.

For a short list of pieces for one recorder that you can play while safe at home, curated by American Recorder reviewer Beverly Lomer, Click HERE.

The ARS Nova article for May gives an overview of ways that recorder players can play multi-part music by themselves. From simple smart phone recordings to more complex multi-tracking apps to professionally recorded backing tracks, the article explores consort and continuo strategies for the socially distant recorder player. Click HERE for a link to the May 2020 issue of ARS NOVA.

The American Recorder Practice Project has many ideas and tips for solo practicing. Click HERE to see the Practice Project page.


Playing With Others

ARS Chapters and Consorts find new ways to stay in touch. Click HERE for a list of ideas, including Zoom meetings, recorded play-alongs, and other outreach methods. To see how to run an online chapter meeting, click HERE

New, and Fun! Composer Bradford Wright has written two duets designed to be played over Zoom (or Skype, etc.), which take internet latency into account!  Neither player needs to mute their mic.  Instead, each player will hear a different version of the duet.  Give it a try!
Zoom Duet for Tenor Recorders
Zoom Duet for Alto Recorders

Play duets with a partner on Zoom, Facetime, Skype, or other video apps.  Click HERE for a link to the ARS Music Libraries Search page. In the "Number of Recorder Parts" search boxes, enter "2" for both Minimum and Maximum.  Due to internet latency (the time it takes the signal to travel), one of you will have to play with your sound muted (you'll only hear yourself) but your partner will play along with you and hear both parts, so take turns!  Also, Click HERE for instructions to optimize your audio settings in Zoom for musical sounds.

Record yourself playing one voice of a recorder duet or trio, and play along with your recording, or invite friends to play along. Click HERE for a copy of our May 2020 ARS NOVA, "The Socially Distanced Recorder Player."
 

Learning

Take on-line lessons with recorder teachers who are experienced with this method of teaching. Click HERE for a list of teachers who offer online lessons.

Prepare for your first online recorder lesson. Click HERE to see our April 2020 issue of the ARS NOVA e-mag, entitled “How to prepare for your first online recorder lesson.”

Sign up for online classes offered by many workshops, in lieu of live meetings this summer. Click to see the recorder-friendly Workshops & Festivals page for 2021, including Mountain Collegium, which will have a special track for beginners.   If you're not already an ARS member, click HERE to sign up for our twice-a-month newsletter listing offerings by our teaching and professional members.

Guidelines for participating in a Zoom class or meeting.  Click HERE for instructions to optimize your audio settings in Zoom for musical sounds.

 

More Resources

Click HERE for a list of other organizations, teachers, and performers who are offering Online Classes, Performances, and more.