I thought of another thing in support of using the little finger of the
right hand:-) It helps keep the rest of the fingers in a more natural,
"ready" hand position. The little finger acts as a sort of "anchor".
With the bell situation, I find out that the kids then have tense fingers
when they add the right hand. If they keep their little finger on the foot
joint, they learn to keep those right hand fingers curved in a "ready"
position without them tensing those fingers. Then, adding the thumb to the
back is additional support.
Lastly, I have kids who "move" their fingers up and down to change notes (so
frustrating when they won't keep their fingers on the "home' position).
Encouraging them to keep their right hand in ready position means there is
something "in the way" of them trying to slip their left hand fingers on the
fourth hole of the recorder.
I'd say go for the two thumbs.

Karen Stafford
-----Original Message-----
From: list@recorderclassroom.com [mailto:list@recorderclassroom.com] On
Behalf Of M Stanley
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 2:26 PM
To: Recorder_Classroom
Subject: Re: [RECL]BAG or more?

What I've discovered is that if I ask them to hold the bell in 3rd grade,
they can't easily break that habit in fourth.
It's a no-winner for me.
I solicit suggestions.
Should I ask the third graders to use two thumbs?

On Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 10:45 PM, Jennifer S. wrote:

> At 06:58 PM 9/14/2008, you wrote:
>
>> Since I'm a flute player, by habit, I keep my little finger
>> on the foot joint holes of the recorder and balance my right hand that
>> way.
>> My students do the same so they're used to that position by fourth grade.
>>
>
> I don't like to let them do this because it is a hard habit to break.
When
> they start playing the lower notes, you don't want your finger covering
> those holes, and you also want the pinky to be up and ready for that low
C,
> not resting on the instrument.
>
> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
> Jennifer Schroeder Music/Choir K-12
> Fall River, WI Momo3@Centurytel.net
>
>
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--
Martha Stanley, NBCT
www.marthabeesmusic.com
The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas first!
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