Video transcript
The Arts Unit @home Art Bites – Playing the recorder – 4. Bransle

[music playing]

SUSAN SUKKAR: Hello, everybody. Time for recorder again today. And, we are going to learn a tune that is over 500 years old. That's very old, isn't it? And, it was a popular tune back 500 years ago, and we're still playing it today.

It uses the 4 notes that we've already learned. So, let's go back over those now. Left hand on the top of the recorder, and your thumb at the back, and show me the note G, A, B, and C.

We learned C earlier. But, if you don't remember it, it is swapping from B to C. We will need that note in this tune.

The tune is called 'Bransle.' And, it's spelled very strangely, B-R-A-N-S-L-E. And, it's pronounced 'brawl.' And, it starts on a low G.

I'm going to play it all the way through, for you, so you can hear it. And, then we'll learn it, break it down, and learn it together. Sounds like this.

[playing recorder]

A little bit trickier than the other tunes that we've learned, but, I'm sure you're ready for it now. So, it started down on G, and you might notice it finished on G as well. So, let's break that down and learn to play it.

Starting on G. I will play the first phrase. And, then I want you to join in with me. And ...

[playing recorder]

Let's do that together.

[playing recorder]

And, once more.

[playing recorder]

How did you go swapping from B to C? Did you manage that? Next phrase goes ...

[playing recorder]

That's tricky, isn't it? It's jumping all over the place. Let's try that slowly.

[playing recorder]

And, do it again, starting on B.

[playing recorder]

Now, the third phrase, you'll be pleased to know, is exactly the same as the first phrase. So, we've already learned that, so let's just play that again, starting from G.

[playing recorder]

Do that again.

[playing recorder]

Well done. The last phrase starts on B and jumps again.

[playing recorder]

Starting on B, going down to G, leaping down to G. And, then A, and then G. Let's play that last phrase.

[playing recorder]

Let's try one more time, starting on B.

[playing recorder]

How did you go? Do you think we could put it all together now? Start on G. Let's try it very slowly, even slower than we did it just then, so that we can get it all together.

Starting on G. And, we're going to play - (SINGING) G, A, B, B, C. OK? Ready? After 2. 1 and 2 and ...

[playing recorder]

You might have got tricked at the end, when it jumps from B to G, A, A, G, G. It's trickier than the other tunes that we've learned, but, I think you're up for the challenge. So, let's do it once more very slowly, starting on G.

We're only using G, A, B, and C only. But, we're leaping around a little bit this time, not going by steps all the time. Ready? Starting on G. 1 and 2 and ...

[playing recorder]

Are you getting the hang of it yet? Let's try one last time, but this time we'll go a little bit faster. Let's give it a go. So, we'll play at this speed, 1 and 2 and ...

[playing recorder]

And, again.

[playing recorder]

Well done. Now, if you can master that tune, the whole world of music will open up to you. Because you're ready now for some much, much more complicated tunes. So, well done, everybody.

Remember that you need to practise and practise to get these things right. They don't just pop into your head. You need to play them over and over, and it's a short amount every day.

You'll be terrific before you know it. Well done. See you next time.