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How to play high E on the recorder
The fingering for high E on a soprano (descant) recorder, with baroque fingering: Left thumb half covering the back hole ("pinched"), and the left pointer and middle fingers on holes 1 and 2.
high E
Thumb hole half covered (pinched), holes 1 2 covered
How to play it
- High E uses a pinched thumb: bend your left thumb so its nail rests in the hole, leaving a small gap at the top.
- Blow a little more firmly than for the low notes. The pinch is what lets the note jump up to the high octave.
Why it squeaks or sounds wrong
- If you hear A, the thumb is covering the hole completely: open a small gap at the top.
- If it squeaks wildly, the gap is too big: roll the thumb back a little.
Free, in your browser: it listens as you play and shows which finger to fix.