
Bass Recorder Solos
Introduction
To play a little early music amongst a friendly group is always a pleasure. Notwithstanding, there is always a need for solitary practice as well... and also pleasures to be found in this discipline. Over the years, like many players, I have accumulated a good number of unaccompanied solo pieces which have provided useful and enjoyable practice material. The two principal sources for these solos are folksongs and dances of the British Isles, and melodies of the Baroque and Rococo periods. Most of the songs and dances I have extended with the addition of variations-cum-divisions while many of the Baroque/Rococo melodies are arrangements of pieces written for instruments other than the recorder. Although collected for playing on a Bass Recorder, some of the solos are available in treble clef for recorders in C and F (as well of course, bass clef). Few articulation marks and ornaments are shown in the scores as individual tastes, technique and instruments are so various... so, for the most part, I leave these choices to the player. The sets of variations can be played as coherent pieces or each variation treated as an individual exercise: As often an increasing degree of dexterity is required by succeeding variations. The initial solos are grouped into units of approximately ten pages (No.1 to 9) within which there is a range of material from moderately easy to moderately difficult. Later pieces are somewhat more varied in character and range, often with keyboard accompaniment (ideally spinet) and many with computer generated MIDI file characterizations which might also serve as auto-accompaniments.
I wish you well and hope you find something both useful and enjoyable in the archive below.
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No. 1 - Solos Melodies by J.S.Bach, arranged from pieces written for Anna Magdelena and Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, and other pupils.
- Five Minuets, a March and Musette
- Six Preludes
- Three Inventions
- No. 1 for Treble/Alto Recorder rs1a1_pdf
- No. 1 for Tenor/Descant/Soprano Recorder rs1t1_pdf
No. 2 - Traditional Melodies of the British Isles, with Variations
- Bowman's Country Dance
- The Ash Grove
- All in the Garden Green
- Portsmouth
- Early One Morning
- The Curly Headed Ploughboy
- Blow Away the Morning Dew
- The Pleasures of the Town
- No. 2 for Treble/Alto Recorder rs1a2_pdf
- No. 2 for Tenor/Descant/Soprano Recorder rs1t2_pdf
No. 3 - Unaccompanied Dance Movements from the Solo Cello Suites by J.S.Bach
- Allemande (Suite No.4)
- Courante (Suite No.3)
- Courante (Suite No.5)
- Bourrée 1 & 2 (Suite No.3)
- Gavotte 1 & 2 (Suite No.5)
- Gigue (Suite No.5)
- Gigue (Suite No.4)
No. 4 - Unaccompanied Dance Movements from the Solo Cello Suites by J.S.Bach
- Courante (Suite No.6)
- Courante (Suite No.1)
- Courante (Suite No.2)
- Sarabande (Suite No.5)
- Courante (Suite No.4)
- Sarabande (Suite No.3)
- Minuet 1 & 2 (Suite No.1)
- Gavotte 1 & 2 (Suite No.4)
- Gigue (Suite No.1)
No. 5 - Traditional Melodies of the British Isles, with Variations
- The Miller of the Dee
- Fred Pigeon's Polka
- The Farmer's Boy
- Father O'Flynn
- Ward's Brae
- A Melody by Henry Carey
- The Lass of Richmond Hill
- Linnen Hall
- No.5 for Treble/Alto Recorder
No. 6 - Traditional Melodies of the British Isles, with Variations
- A Starry Night for a Ramble
- The Pilgrim
- Parson's Farewell
- Astley's Ride
- The Angler's Song
- The Broken Panel
- Lulu's Polka
- St.Paul's Wharf
- No.6 for Treble/Alto Recorder
No. 7 - Traditional Melodies of the British Isles, with Variations
- La Boulanger
- Bobbing Around
- The Dusky Night
- Foot's Minuet
- The Morning Star
- Buttered Peas
- Heel and Toe Polka
- Black Nag
- No.7 for Treble/Alto Recorder
No. 8 - Traditional Melodies of the British Isles, with Variations
- Blue Eyed Stranger
- Young Collins
- Lovely Nancy
- La Nouvelle Provence
- Miss Elenora Robertson
- Petronella
- The Steamboat Hornpipe
- The Lochmabem Hornpipe
- No.8 for Treble/Alto Recorder
No. 9 - Melodies from the Piano Sonatas of Josef Haydn
- Finale - Rondo (Sonata No.38, Hob.XVI/23)
- Finale - Theme and Variations (Sonata No.42, Hob.XVI/27)
- Finale - Rondo (Sonata No.50, Hob.XVI/37)
- Rondo (Sonata No.35, Hob.XVI/43)
No. 10 - Solo for Bass Recorder by William Boyce (with Piano Accompaniment)
arrangement of 'Softly Rise, O Southern Breeze' from the Serenata of 1745
As well as a written score two MIDI files provide an 'auto-accompaniment' via computer or other MIDI device. The piano part is routed to one speaker and the recorder to the other so that the latter may be muted leaving only the accompaniment sounding. This is a useful piece for high note practice - in the privacy of your own home!
No. 11 - Elizabethan Duets - Sop & Alto Voices/Tenor & Bass Recorders
- The Lowest Trees Have Tops - John Dowland
- Sweet was the Song the Virgin Sung - William Ballet
- What is Beauty but a Breath - Thomas Ford
- To His Sweet Lute - Thomas Campian
- Jacke and Jone - Thomas Campian
- Leave Now Mine Eyes Lamenting - THomas Morley
- In Nets of Golden Wyers - Thomas Morley
- There is a Ladie Sweet and Kind - Thomas Ford
- O Thou That Art So Cruell - Thomas Morley
- I Should for Griefe - Thomas Morley
- Bass Recorder Part
No. 12A - Lady Hammond's Alman
- English Traditional Dance and Variations for bass recorder.
- PDF 3 pages.
- No. 12A in MIDI format
No. 12B - Lady Hammond's Alman
- English Traditional Dance and Variations for bass recorder.
- PDF 6 pages.
- No. 12B in MIDI format
No. 13 - Ladies Pleasure (Score)
- English Traditional Dance and Eight Variations for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment.
- Score, 21 pages, PDF 228Kb
- Bass Recorder Part, 7 pages, PDF 77Kb.
- No. 13 in MIDI format (complete piece)
- Section One in MIDI format
- Section Two in MIDI format
- Section Three in MIDI format
- Section Four in MIDI format
No. 14 - The Way to Norwich (Score)
- English Traditional Dance and Variations for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment.
- Score, 12 pages, PDF 144Kb
- Bass Recorder Part, 4 pages, PDF 50Kb.
- No. 14 in MIDI format
No. 15 - St. George's, Windsor by G.J. Elvey (Score)
- English hymn tune and variations for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment.
- Score, 12 pages, PDF 132Kb
- Bass Recorder Part, 5 pages, PDF 58Kb.
- No. 15 in MIDI format
No. 16 - Miss Thompson's Hornpipe (Score)
- English dance tune and symmetries for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment.
- Score, 11 pages, PDF 117Kb
- Bass Recorder Part, 4 pages, PDF 45Kb.
- No. 16 in MIDI format
No. 17 - The West End (Score)
- English dance tune and symmetries for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment.
- Score, 9 pages, PDF 90Kb
- Bass Recorder Part.
- Theme in MIDI format
- Var.1 in MIDI format
- Var.2 in MIDI format
No. 18 - Three Bass Recorder Duets (Score)
- Variations on three English dance tunes for bass recorder with second bass part added by J.G.Brothwell. Score 8 pages, PDF 83Kb
- Bowman's Country Dance
- All in the Garden Green
- Portsmouth
- Duet No. 1 in MIDI format
- Duet No. 2 in MIDI format
- Duet No. 3 in MIDI format
No. 19 - Irby by J.H. Gauntlett (Score)
- English hymn tune and variations (Once in Royal David's City) for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment.
- Score, 13 pages, PDF Kb
- Bass Recorder Part.
- Section 1 in MIDI format
- Section 2 in MIDI format
- Section 3 in MIDI format
No. 20 - The Shepherd's Wife (Score)
- English melody arranged for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment (or Alto Saxophone and Piano).
- Score, 16 pages, PDF 143Kb
- Bass Recorder Part, 6 pages, PDF 54Kb.
- Alto Saxophone Part, 6 pages, PDF 54Kb.
- No.20 in MIDI format
No. 21 - All Round My Hat (Score)
- English West Country dance tune and variations for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment.
- Score, 7 pages, PDF 85Kb
- Bass Recorder Part, 3 pages, PDF 24Kb.
- No.21 in MIDI format
- Alto Saxophone Part, 3 pages, PDF 24Kb.
- No.21 Electric Piano and Saxophone in MIDI format
No. 22 - Surrey by Henry Carey (Score)
- English 18th Century melody arranged for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment.
- Score, 11 pages, PDF 105Kb
- Bass Recorder Part, 4 pages, PDF 48Kb.
- No.22 in MIDI format
No. 23 - The Dark Girl Dressed in Blue (Score)
- English dance tune and symmetries (variations) for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment, 14 pages, PDF 185Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 6 pages, PDF 75Kb.
No. 24 - Mr Cosgill's Delight (Score)
- English dance tune and symmetries (variations) for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment, 16 pages, PDF 170Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 6 pages, PDF 71Kb.
- No.24 in MIDI format, 31Kb.
No. 25 - Trio Sonata in F Major by C.P.E. Bach (Score)
- Transcribed for two bass recorders with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment, 21 pages, PDF 240Kb.
- Bass Recorder I, 5 pages, PDF 84Kb.
- Bass Recorder II, 5 pages, PDF 74Kb.
- Available on request by email, subject to conditions.
No. 26 - Shrewsbury Lasses (Score)
- English dance tune and symmetries (variations) for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment, 14 pages, PDF 123Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 5 pages, PDF 54Kb.
- No.26 in MIDI format, 21Kb.
No. 27 - Twin Sisters (Score)
- English dance tune and symmetries (variations) for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment, 19 pages, PDF 175Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 7 pages, PDF 65Kb.
- Alto Saxophone Part, 7 pages, PDF 65Kb.
- No.27 in MIDI format, 36Kb.
No. 28 - Mallow Flowers and Horse Tails (Score)
- Melody and symmetries (variations) for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment, 9 pages, PDF 84Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 4 pages, PDF 38Kb.
- Alto Saxophone Part, 4 pages, PDF 42Kb.
- No.28 in MIDI format, 20Kb.
No. 29 - Colchester by S.S.Wesley (Score)
- English hymn tune and symmetries (variations) for bass recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment, 14 pages, PDF 152Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 6 pages, PDF 73Kb.
- No.29 in MIDI format, 30Kb.
No. 30 - The Divisors of Seventy-Two (Score)
- Trio for treble/glarken and two bass recorders with F# keys, 7 pages, PDF 62Kb.
- No.30 in MIDI format, 11Kb.
No. 32 - The Poplar-field (Words by William Cowper) (Score)
- Song for Bass Recorder/Alto Saxophone, Keyboard and Voice (alto/baritone), 7 pages, PDF 86Kb.
- This piece and some others below traverse the key cycle and so may provide useful practice in some of the more remote keys.
- Bass Recorder Part, 2 pages, PDF 30Kb.
- Alto Saxophone Part, 2 pages, PDF 30Kb.
- Voice Part (treble clef), 2 pages, PDF 30Kb.
- No.32 in MIDI format, 16Kb.
- No.32 Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo arrangement, 3 pages, PDF 34Kb.
No. 33 - The Garden of Sleep (Words by Clement Scott) (Score)
- Song for Bass Recorder/Alto Saxophone, Keyboard and Voice (alto/baritone), 9 pages, PDF 90Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 3 pages, PDF 38Kb.
- No.33 Alto Saxophone Part, 3 pages, PDF 38Kb.
- No.33 Voice Part (treble clef), 3 pages, PDF 38Kb.
- No.33 in MIDI format, 17Kb.
- No.33 Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo arrangement, 4 pages, PDF 40Kb.
- Piano & Voice(s) version
No. 35 - Clock-O'-Clay (Poem by John Clare) (Score)
- Song for Bass Recorder/Alto Saxophone/Alto Voice and Keyboard, 5 pages, PDF 59Kb.
- No.35 in MIDI format, 10Kb.
No. 37 - Mrs. Jane Barbier (Poem by John Hughes) (Score)
- Song for Bass Recorder/Alto Saxophone/Alto Voice and Keyboard, 4 pages, PDF 41Kb.
- The 18th century English singer Jane Barbier performed for Handel and Arne, frequently appearing on the London stage in the twenty-five years from 1710. The librettist John Hughes outlined her character in this poem.
- Vocal Score (treble clef), 4 pages, PDF 41Kb.
- No.37 in MIDI format, 7Kb.
- Piano & Voice(s) version
No. 40 - The Duke of Kent's Waltz (Score)
- Melody from W.M. Cuhusac's Annual Collection of Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1802, for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Harpsichord/Keyboard accompaniment, 4 pages, PDF 47Kb.
- No.40 in MIDI format, 15Kb.
No. 41 - Miss Spicer (Score)
- Melody from W.M. Cuhusac's Annual Collection of Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1809, for Bass Recorder/Alto Saxophone with Spinet/Piano/Keyboard accompaniment, 4 pages, PDF 73Kb.
- No.41 Alto Saxophone Part, 3 pages, PDF 29Kb.
- No.41 in MIDI format, 22Kb.
No. 42 - Lady Susan Hamilton (Score)
- Melody from Preston's Collection of Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1804, for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 10 pages, PDF 100Kb.
- No.42 in MIDI format, 21Kb.
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Part, 4 pages, PDF 46Kb.
No. 43 - The Labyrinth (Score)
- Melody from W.M. Cuhusac's Annual Collection of Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1809, for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 4 pages, PDF 44Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 1 page, PDF 20Kb.
- No.43 in MIDI format, 12Kb.
No. 44 - Michael Turner's Waltz (Score)
- Melody from Six German Dances by W.A. Mozart, KV 536 No.2, for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 3 pages, PDF 38Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 1 page, PDF 15Kb.
- No.44 in MIDI format, 8Kb.
No. 45 - Rosamond's Bower (Score)
- Melody from W.M. Cuhusac's Annual Collection of Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1802, for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 7 pages, PDF 94Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 3 pages, PDF 34Kb.
- No.45 in MIDI format, 18Kb.
No. 46 - Mansfield Park (Duet version)
- Regency dance tune or a melody written in that style, arranged for Bass Recorder Solo or Duet, 2 pages, PDF 27Kb.
- No.46 Duet in MIDI format, 10Kb.
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo arrangement, 3 page, PDF 39Kb.
No. 47 - Hope (Score)
- A setting of a poem by Emily Dickinson for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 2 pages, PDF 24Kb.
- No.47 in MIDI format, 4Kb.
No. 48 - Non lo dirò col labbro - G.F. Handel (Score)
- An arrangement for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, based on Arthur Somervell’s transcription ‘Silent Worship - Did you not hear my lady’. 6 pages, PDF 69Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 2 pages, PDF 25Kb.
- No.48 in MIDI format, 14Kb.
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo arrangement, 2 page, PDF 28Kb.
No. 49 - Lullaby - Stephen Storace (Score)
- Arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment. 2 pages, PDF 24Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 1 page, PDF 11Kb.
- No.49 in MIDI format, 14Kb.
No. 50 - Verdi Prati - G.F. Handel (Score)
- Air from the opera Alcina, 1735. Arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 3 pages, PDF 82Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 1 page, PDF 16Kb.
- Alto Voice Part, 1 page, PDF 16Kb.
- No.50 in MIDI format, 28Kb.
No. 51 - Christina - Naomi Alexander (Score)
- Spodefolk dance tune, 7 pages, PDF 70Kb.
- No.51 in MIDI format, 15Kb.
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo arrangement, 2 pages, PDF 26Kb.
- Solo exercise/study based on the Christina melody.
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Exercise 2 pages, PDF 28Kb.
- Unaccompanied Treble Recorder Exercise 2 pages, PDF 28Kb.
- Unaccompanied Descant Recorder Exercise 2 pages, PDF 28Kb.
- Four Part Accompaniment for Descant Exercise 10 pages, PDF 87Kb.
- Four Part Accompaniment for Descant Exercise in MIDI format, 20Kb.
No. 52 - Northdown Waltz (Score)
- Late Regency Dance Tune from a Collection of Favourite Country Dances, Reels and Waltzes by Goulding & Co. arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 10 pages, PDF 89Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 4 pages, PDF 38Kb.
- No.52 in MIDI format, 20Kb.
No. 54 - Madame Buonaparte's Waltz (Score)
- from Thomas Preston's Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1803 arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 4 pages, PDF 48Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 1 page, PDF 21Kb.
- No.54 in MIDI format, 13Kb.
No. 55 - Lady Harriet Cavendish's fancy (Score)
- from Thomas Preston's Twenty four Country Dances for the Year 1804 arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 3 pages, PDF 34Kb.
- Bass Recorder Part, 1 page, PDF 16Kb.
- No.55 in MIDI format, 6Kb.
No. 56 - Dances - F. Schubert, Op.9 (BRS)
- Original keyboard dances by Franz Schubert arranged for unaccompanied Bass Recorder solo, 12 pages, PDF 67Kb.
No. 57 - The Ash Grove (BRS)
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo variations, 3 pages, PDF 33Kb.
No. 58 - The Crystal Spring (BRS)
- Somerset ballad collected by Cecil Sharp, 1905.
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo, 1 page, PDF 12Kb.
No. 59 - The Man in the Moon (Score)
- from Everybody's Song Book or, The Saloon Visitor's Companion, arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 4 pages, PDF 42Kb.
- No.59 in MIDI format, 13Kb.
No. 60 - Bedlam (Score)
- A Somerset ballad collected and set by Cecil Sharp, 1905. Arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 3 pages, PDF 33Kb.
- No.60 in MIDI format, 10Kb.
No. 61 - The Lark in the Morn (Score)
- A Somerset ballad collected and set by Cecil Sharp. Arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment, 3 pages, PDF 28Kb.
- No.61 in MIDI format, 5Kb.
No. 62 - Cold Blows the Wind (Score)
- A Somerset ballad collected and set by Cecil Sharp. Arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment (or Alto Voice & Piano) 8 pages, PDF 88Kb.
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo, 3 page, PDF 34Kb.
- No.62 in MIDI format, 16Kb.
No. 63 - The Seeds of Love (Score)
- The first Somerset ballad collected and set by Cecil Sharp. Arranged for Bass Recorder with Spinet/Keyboard accompaniment (or Alto Voice & Piano) 7 pages, PDF 68Kb.
- Unaccompanied Bass Recorder Solo, 2 page, PDF 26Kb.
- No.63 in MIDI format, 12Kb.
No. 64 - If I were a Cassowary (BRS)
- Bass Recorder Solo (optional voice) 3 pages, PDF 30Kb.
- John Colenso a biblical scholar and the first Bishop of Natal in South Africa wrote advocating tolerance for polygamy and against biblical infallibility. Tried for hersey under Archbishop Longley of Canterbury, the Privy Council ruled the charge ultra vires. William Macrorie was installed as Bishop of Marizburg and the church in Natal divided into rival factions.
- A humorous reflection on the controversy by Bishop Samuel Wilberforce, et al.
- Piano & Voice(s) version
No. 66 - Poor Beasts! (BRS)
- Bass Recorder Solo (optional voice) 2 pages, PDF 23Kb.
- A humorous lyric concerning the lives of men and animals.
- Text: Anon.
- An accompaniment for No.66
- Piano & Voice(s) version
No. 67 - Hymn & Lamentation (Piano & Voice/s)
No. 68 - Earl Richard (Recorders & Voice)
No. 69 - Goldberg Air with Melody (Score)
- Arranged for Bass Recorder/Saxophone and Keyboard, 2 pages, PDF 31Kb.
- An un-ornamented arrangement of the air is provided -- though the original should work equally well.
- Melody as bass recorder solo.
- Melody as saxophone solo.
- No.69 in MIDI format.