Your Recorder Community

I wrote this piece in the middle of the pandemic in 2020. During the lockdown, I went for a walk every morning and saw bees buzzing happily which made me feel happy too. I wanted to spread happiness so wrote this piece. 

This piece should be played with a smile on your face.

This Members’ Library Edition is made possible by a generous donation from Morgan MacBain of St. Paul, Minnesota, who has been messing about with recorders since first hearing them at age twelve. She recently reconnected with the recorder after a long hiatus, and joined the ARS. She wanted to sponsor this piece in gratitude for the way that the benefits of ARS membership — especially the Members’ Library Editions and connections forged with other local players — have contributed to supporting her progress and continued engagement as a recorder player.

Performance notes: Flutter-tonguing features prominently in all four parts, serving as the perfect articulation tool to simulate the buzzing of the bees. The effect is produced by “rolling” r’s as in Spanish; the tongue rests on the ridge behind the upper teeth, and the tip flaps rapidly on a cushion of passing air. Note that more air pressure is needed  because the flutter happens during the note rather than between the notes like T and D articulations. A similar effect is produced by rolling the back of the throat as in French. Native speakers of English may have difficulty with this sound, so British recorder professional Sarah Jeffery has a video tutorial on both techniques.

“(G.P.)” in measures 12 and 34 means “grand pause”, where the whole ensemble has a full measure of rest together, often used for dramatic effect.