Etudes for Alto Recorder

This collection of studies for the alto recorder was created in response to the need for more educational material by Slovak composers. At present, Slovakia lacks a comprehensive Slovak method for both soprano and alto recorder. Most teachers therefore rely on well-established older methods, such as those by L. Daniel and M. Klement, as well as on foreign collections of studies. Slovak educational material for recorder remains very limited.

Currently, there are only two Slovak collections of recorder studies: those by D. Martinček, written primarily for the soprano recorder and adaptable in some respects for the alto recorder, and the studies for alto recorder by P. Cón. However, capable students are usually able to master these studies within one and a half to two years. Drawing on practical teaching experience, this new collection was therefore created to expand the available educational repertoire.

The studies are intended for pupils in the first and second years of lower secondary music education (formerly the fifth and sixth grades of elementary schools of the arts), depending on when the student transitions from the soprano to the alto recorder. They have been composed specifically for the instrument, taking into account the most commonly used keys and ranges of the alto recorder while avoiding keys and passages that are technically harder or require unnatural fingerings. All studies are designed to develop technical proficiency and rhythmic accuracy.