Descant Recorder
13 Grade 9 Creative Arts & Sports questions on Descant Recorder, with worked marking schemes. 13 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
4 marksA music teacher introduces the Grade 9 class to playing the descant recorder.
(a) State TWO ways a learner should care for and maintain a descant recorder. (2 marks)
(b) Explain how the pitch is changed from a low note to a higher note. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any TWO (1 each): swab/clean the inside to remove moisture after playing; store it in its case away from dust and damage; do not bite/knock the mouthpiece; wash occasionally with warm (not hot) water and mild soap; do not share without cleaning (hygiene). (b) The pitch is raised by uncovering more finger holes (covering fewer holes) and blowing steadily; more holes covered gives lower notes. (2)
Question 2
1 markA learner is taught to produce a clear note on the descant recorder by gently saying 'too' as they blow, rather than blowing hard. This technique of starting each note with the tongue is known as:
A. Fingering
B. Tonguing
C. Slurring
D. Overblowing
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 3
1 markA learner blows far too hard on a low note and it suddenly squeaks up into a much higher, uncontrolled note. This accidental jump to a higher pitch caused by blowing too strongly is called:
A. Tonguing
B. Overblowing
C. Slurring
D. Tuning
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 4
1 markA learner is taught to start each note by gently whispering the syllable 'too' as they blow rather than blowing hard. This technique of beginning a note with the tongue is known as:
A. Slurring
B. Tonguing
C. Overblowing
D. Fingering
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 5
1 markAfter playing, a learner swabs the inside of the recorder to remove moisture and stores it in its case. The main reason for swabbing out the moisture is to:
A. Change the fingering
B. Raise the pitch permanently
C. Make it play louder
D. Keep it clean and prevent damage or bad tone
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 6
1 markThe part of the descant recorder that the player places between the lips and blows into is called the:
A. Bridge
B. Mouthpiece
C. Foot joint hole
D. Bell
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 7
1 markThe descant recorder is played by blowing air into it and belongs to which family of musical instruments?
A. Wind instruments
B. Keyboard instruments
C. Percussion instruments
D. String instruments
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 8
4 marksA learner produces a clear, well-articulated note on the descant recorder.
(a) Explain the technique of 'tonguing'. (2 marks)
(b) State what happens if a learner blows too hard on the recorder. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Tonguing is starting/articulating each note by gently using the tongue as if whispering the syllable 'too'/'doo', which gives a clear, controlled beginning to the note. (2) (b) Blowing too hard causes overblowing - the note jumps up to a higher, squeaky, uncontrolled pitch and the tone becomes harsh/unpleasant. (2)
Question 9
1 markThe small round openings along the body of the descant recorder that a player covers and uncovers with the fingers to change pitch are called:
A. Keys
B. Finger holes
C. Frets
D. Strings
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 10
1 markA learner is taught to play the descant recorder. To produce a clear, separated start to each note rather than a slurred sound, the player should use the tongue against the roof of the mouth. This technique is known as:
A. Fingering
B. Tonguing
C. Breathing
D. Slurring
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 11
4 marksYour music teacher introduces the Grade 9 class to playing the descant recorder.
(a) State TWO ways a learner should care for and maintain a descant recorder. (2 marks)
(b) Explain how the pitch of the sound produced on the descant recorder is changed from a low note to a higher note. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any two: clean/swab the inside to remove moisture after playing and dry it well; store it in its case/cover to protect it from dust and damage; do not bite or knock the mouthpiece; wash it occasionally with warm (not hot) water and mild soap; do not share it without cleaning to maintain hygiene. (2 marks) (b) The pitch is changed by altering the fingering, that is, by uncovering (opening) holes: covering more holes lengthens the air column and produces lower notes, while uncovering holes shortens the air column and produces higher notes. Controlling/increasing the breath pressure slightly also helps produce the higher notes. (2 marks)
Question 12
1 markTo play a higher note on the descant recorder, a learner covers fewer holes and blows a little more gently and steadily. To produce a lower note instead, the learner should:
A. Blow much harder
B. Cover fewer of the holes
C. Remove the mouthpiece
D. Cover more of the holes
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 13
4 marksDuring a recorder lesson, the teacher names the parts of the instrument.
(a) Identify the part of the recorder that the player blows into. (1 mark)
(b) Explain the function of the finger holes on the descant recorder. (3 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see it10 more marking schemes are on this page. A free account opens all of them, and lets you build your own paper on the topics you have actually taught, laid out in KNEC format with its full marking scheme.
Create a free account