Recorder31 Day 10 | Beginners' Competition

Recorder31 aims to cater for recorder players of all ages and abilities, from amateurs to professionals. This week, we have a loose theme angled towards beginner players, and the wonderful people who teach recorder players of all levels. We'll have plenty of tips and tricks during the week, but first, we have a competition dedicated to those at the start of their recorder-playing journey.

Beginners' Competition

This week, our Recorder31 competition is open to beginner recorder players. We've selected two pieces from our soprano recorder tutor book, 'Recorder for Beginners: The Tudor Way' by Paul Harris, and we invite entrants to choose whichever of the levels below is the best fit for them.

Level 1 – (notes G, A, B & C) – 'At The Market' by Paul Harris

Click here to download the PDF score

Level 2 – (notes, D, E, F, F#, G, A, Bb, C, D) – 'The Queen's Alman' by William Byrd, arranged by Paul Harris

Click here to download the PDF score

We're not setting exact parameters on what constitutes a 'beginner' – but as a rough guide, we'd suggest people who have been playing for 18 months or less, or can play 1-2 sharps or flats. However, whether you fit these criteria or not, if you consider yourself to be a beginner, you are eligible! 

The Prize

We have a special prize for the winner of this week's competition – a fabulous J. Wood Alto Recorder in Maple. This prize would allow the winner to expand from the soprano recorder and start to learn F recorder fingerings and technique. The enclosed fingering chart will help you to get started, and we'll throw in a copy of our Recorder Yearbook & Maintenance Guide 2026 so you can find out how to look after it.

Made in Germany, the J. Wood alto recorder in maple is an affordable, high quality instrument which delivers a rich body of sound, with an easy response and excellent intonation. The recorder is supplied in an attractive fabric case.

This is one of the most inexpensive wooden recorders on the market, yet it produces a remarkably strong sound with rich overtones and a pleasing breathiness. It makes the perfect instrument for beginner players, those progressing from plastic to wooden instruments, or even advanced/professional players looking for an entry-level instrument for their practice or rehearsals.

Click here to explore J. Wood recorders at The Early Music Shop.

How to Enter

Simply send us your video before entries close on Sunday 16 August. Send your entry via email to recorder31@earlymusicshop.com or upload it to social media using the hashtag #Recorder31. (If entering on social media, we recommend sending us an email with a link, to make sure we don’t miss it!)

Please see the bottom of this blog page for full terms and conditions.

Recorder31 Playlists | Week Two: New Releases

In the second of our weekly Recorder31 playlists, we have pulled together some of the most recent recorder tracks which have been released in the last 12 months. We love all the music here – and we think it shows just how broad today's recorder scene really is. Check it out and follow our account on Spotify to make sure you don't miss out on future playlists!

And come back tomorrow to discover some of these new releases in more detail, as we feature the latest additions to The Early Music Shop's CD catalogue.

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Today's fantastic competition prize is the J. Wood Alto in Maple. This inexpensive wooden recorder is a strong option for those new to wooden instruments, with a strong, airy sound and reliable intonation – the perfect first alto recorder. Listen to the clips below or follow this link to find out more about this instrument, exclusive to The Early Music Shop.

Bach Sarabande:

Vivaldi La Notte:

Scale:

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Competition Terms & Conditions

• Entries must be submitted by midnight (BST) on Sunday 16 August 2026
• Judging for all Recorder31 competitions will take place in early September 2026 after which winners will be notified and announced on The Early Music Shop’s website and social media.
• Videos may be submitted by email to recorder31@earlymusicshop.com, or uploaded to social media. If entering via social media, please make sure the account/post is set up for public viewing, and that you tag The Early Music Shop @earlymusicshop using the hashtag #Recorder31 – we recommend sending us the link via email to make sure we don't miss your entry.
• Winning entries may be shared by The Early Music Shop on social media and online at www.earlymusicshop.com
• The prize recorder is available to one winner only, and it is not able to be exchanged for any cash alternative or replacement prize. The judges decide upon the winner, and their decision is final.

Good luck, and thank you for sharing your talents for this year's Recorder31!