--- title: From Squeaks to Success - Recorder Accommodations That Work! description: Discover effective recorder accommodations for students facing fine motor challenges, squeaks, and overblowing to ensure every learner achieves musical success. image: https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Virtual%20Recorder.png --- [![musicplay-logo](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/musicplay-logo-2.png?width=2701&height=877&name=musicplay-logo-2.png "musicplay-logo")](http://musicplay.ca) Open main menu Close main menu # From Squeaks to Success - Recorder Accommodations That Work! ![Stacy Werner](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/529321003_10171907439470332_5222755718152529359_n.jpg?width=45&name=529321003_10171907439470332_5222755718152529359_n.jpg) [Stacy Werner](https://blog.musicplay.ca/author/stacy-werner) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.musicplay.ca/tootally-inclusive-recorder-accommodations-that-work) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.musicplay.ca/tootally-inclusive-recorder-accommodations-that-work) ![](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Virtual%20Recorder.png) [Note: This newsletter is best viewed in your browser for full access to all content.](https://blog.musicplay.ca/tootally-inclusive-recorder-accommodations-that-work) ## Recorder Success for All! January is recorder season in my classroom, and the excitement of students having an instrument of their very own in their hands can’t be beat! As we dive into learning the recorder, students face many challenges on the path to a successful sound—from squeaks and overblowing to note reading and fine motor skills. That’s why it’s so important to have *many* strategies in our teacher toolbox to meet the needs of all learners. This week, I’m excited to share some tried-and-true approaches I use in my classroom to support students struggling with fine motor challenges, squeaks, or overblowing. --- ## Fine motor challenges, squeaks, or overblowing: One saying I learned from Denise Gagne is, *“If you squeak, you have a leak!”* When we listen to our students, it’s important to check whether they’re having trouble fully covering the holes. We often talk about making a “circle stamp” with their fingerprint to seal the holes, but some students with fine motor challenges still struggle. Here are a few strategies to help them succeed. ### Painters Tape Over the Back Thumb Hole: Some students have trouble covering the back thumb hole. When we start B–A–G, every note needs that hole closed, which can be tricky! One tip that works really well is to put a small piece of painter’s tape over the hole and gives students instant success and less frustration for little fingers. ![Recorder Painters Tape](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Recorder%20Painters%20Tape.png?width=244&height=449&name=Recorder%20Painters%20Tape.png) ### 3D Gel Paint: This strategy takes a bit more prep, but gives students a tactile way to “feel” the holes on the recorder. I keep a few of these recorders ready for students to borrow until they’re comfortable using their own instrument again.  I haven't been able to find the exact paint I used on this recorder, but this link has something similar: [https://a.co/d/dGb0Qhr](https://a.co/d/dGb0Qhr) ![Recorder 3D Paint copy](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Recorder%203D%20Paint%20copy.png?width=376&height=501&name=Recorder%203D%20Paint%20copy.png)   ### Mute Flutes: Sometimes I have students who are eager to participate, love holding a recorder, and can play a few notes, but are still working on breath control, which can make the sound a bit challenging for the class. Mute flutes have been a great solution. These plastic pieces fit into the mouthpiece of the recorder and can be rotated to reduce the sound by up to 80 percent, allowing students to keep playing and everyone’s ears to stay happy.  These are unfortunately expensive. I purchased mine off Amazon Canada: [https://a.co/d/hsCQaiD](https://a.co/d/hsCQaiD) ## ![Mute Flute](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Mute%20Flute.png?width=254&height=339&name=Mute%20Flute.png) ### Nuvo Recorders: Nuvo recorders are a great alternative to traditional recorders, as they feel more like pushing buttons than covering holes with fingerprints. The buttons do the work! I’ve purchased a few of these recorders and keep them available for students to borrow when needed. Nuvo Recorders: [https://www.nuvoinstrumental.com/products/recorder/](https://www.nuvoinstrumental.com/products/recorder/) ![Nuvo Recorders](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Nuvo%20Recorders.png?width=206&height=274&name=Nuvo%20Recorders.png) --- ## Unique Situations: You may encounter students who can not physically hold, place fingers, or blow into the recorder. In these situations, consult with a learning specialist in your building first. Brainstorm some solutions, then discuss with the student what they are comfortable with. Below are some virtual options available on [MusicplayOnline](https://musicplayonline.com/). ### [Virtual Recorder:](https://musicplayonline.com/instruments/?tax%5Binstruments%5D%5Brecorder%5D=on&tax%5Binstruments%5D%5Brecorder-kit-1%5D=on&is_archive=1&archive_type=post&modal=Interactive-https-musicplayonline-com-activities-library-virtual-recorder-tool-1) [Watch the Video to Learn More! (Click on image below)](https://youtu.be/ZBK-Z4li0qQ) [![Virtual Recorder](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Virtual%20Recorder.png?width=530&height=298&name=Virtual%20Recorder.png)](https://youtu.be/ZBK-Z4li0qQ) **Virtual Recorder Features:** - Choose between Baroque or German fingering systems - Play using your keyboard or by clicking/tapping notes on the screen - Select specific notes for students to focus on - Customize the note set by removing accidentals or adding sharps and flats ### [Glockenspiel Playalong:](https://musicplayonline.com/instruments/?tax%5Binstruments%5D%5Brecorder%5D=on&tax%5Binstruments%5D%5Brecorder-kit-1%5D=on&is_archive=1&archive_type=post&modal=Interactive-https-musicplayonline-com-activities-library-recorder-glockenspiel-play-along-1) ## [![Recorder Glockenspiel](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Recorder%20Glockenspiel.png?width=1433&height=549&name=Recorder%20Glockenspiel.png)](https://musicplayonline.com/instruments/?tax%5Binstruments%5D%5Brecorder%5D=on&tax%5Binstruments%5D%5Brecorder-kit-1%5D=on&is_archive=1&archive_type=post&modal=Interactive-https-musicplayonline-com-activities-library-recorder-glockenspiel-play-along-1) **Glockenspiel Playalong Features:** - Use with [Recorder Kit 1](https://musicplayonline.com/instruments/?tax%5Binstruments%5D%5Brecorder%5D=on&tax%5Binstruments%5D%5Brecorder-kit-1%5D=on&is_archive=1&archive_type=post) - Select song and students can play along with the glockenspiel on the screen or keyboard controls. - Add accompaniment track --- ## Awesome Ostinato – Do I Need This Book? Let’s Explore This Themes & Variations Publication with Ruth McCartney ## [![Awesome Ostinato - Do I Need This Book Lets Explore This Themes & Variations Publication Webinar with Ruth McCartney](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Awesome%20Ostinato%20-%20Do%20I%20Need%20This%20Book%20Lets%20Explore%20This%20Themes%20%26%20Variations%20Publication%20Webinar%20with%20Ruth%20McCartney.png?width=1000&height=500&name=Awesome%20Ostinato%20-%20Do%20I%20Need%20This%20Book%20Lets%20Explore%20This%20Themes%20%26%20Variations%20Publication%20Webinar%20with%20Ruth%20McCartney.png)](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/awesome-ostinato-do-i-need-this-book-lets-explore-this-themes-variations-publication-webinar-with-ruth-mccartney/) Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 @ 10:30-11:30 MST (60 Minutes) A recorded version will be available if you are unable to watch live.  ## About the Webinar: Join Ruth McCartney for a review of Awesome Ostinato, a Themes & Variations publication. - Introduce and the Awesome Ostinato digital resource - Explore Awesome Ostinato’s musicianship activities - How to use the material in an adult workshop with York Kodaly Choir [Webinar Registration Link](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/awesome-ostinato-do-i-need-this-book-lets-explore-this-themes-variations-publication-webinar-with-ruth-mccartney/)                 --- ## Musicplay Team Updates: We wanted to take the opportunity to share some updates from the team: #### Content Updates: - Check next week for more updates! #### Development Updates: - New Drum Machine interactive - New Staff Lesson bass resources - Support for 2 beat rhythms in Word Rhythm Composition tool - Added the ability to disable student codes  - Navigation now remembers the last open state. - Notifications can now be dismissed more easily ![Stacy Werner](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/529321003_10171907439470332_5222755718152529359_n.jpg?width=150&name=529321003_10171907439470332_5222755718152529359_n.jpg) #### Stacy Werner Stacy Werner is a music specialist with 15 years of experience teaching elementary music in Alberta, Canada. She is the author of the “Super Simple Music Centers” series and the Education Director for Musicplay Online. Trained in Orff and Kodály, she’s committed to ongoing growth as an educator, guided by her mentor, Denise Gagne. ### Leave a Comment ## Related Articles [![](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Stories%20That%20Sing%20TOO!%20Cover-1.png)](https://blog.musicplay.ca/stories-that-sing-too) [Blog Posts](https://blog.musicplay.ca/tag/blog-posts) ### [Stories that Sing TOO!](https://blog.musicplay.ca/stories-that-sing-too) | **Jeanette Shorey***Stories that Sing TOO!**Stories That Sing TOO!* is a collection of music and literacy lessons based on 11 storybooks, featuring songs and activities... | | --- | [Carey-Lyn Gould](https://blog.musicplay.ca/author/carey-lyn-gould) [Read More](https://blog.musicplay.ca/stories-that-sing-too) [![](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Spooky%20Fun%2c%20Treats%2c%20and%20Leaves%20Cover.png)](https://blog.musicplay.ca/spooky-fun-and-treats) [Blog Posts](https://blog.musicplay.ca/tag/blog-posts) ### [Spooky Fun and Treats!](https://blog.musicplay.ca/spooky-fun-and-treats) MusicplayOnline has many FUN activities for October. If you celebrate Halloween - or if you don't - there are fun activities for your students.   [Denise Gagne](https://blog.musicplay.ca/author/denise-gagne) [Read More](https://blog.musicplay.ca/spooky-fun-and-treats) #### Our Products - [MusicplayOnline](https://musicplayonline.com) - [Musicplay Store](https://store.musicplay.ca) - [Musicplay Downloads](https://downloads.musicplay.ca) - [Musicplay Workshops](https://workshops.musicplay.ca) - [Musicplay Help](https://help.musicplay.ca) Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Stacy Werner", "url" : "https://blog.musicplay.ca/author/stacy-werner" }, "dateModified" : "2026-01-07T22:39:57.510Z", "datePublished" : "2026-01-07T22:39:57.000Z", "headline" : "From Squeaks to Success - Recorder Accommodations That Work!", "image" : [ "https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Virtual%20Recorder.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.musicplay.ca/tootally-inclusive-recorder-accommodations-that-work", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/musicplay-logo-2.png" }, "name" : "Themes & Variations Musicplay" } } ```