Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Rubric for Recorder Performance

Advanced Proficient Proficient Developing Proficiency Novice
Posture/Hand
Position
Demonstrates superior posture,
sitting or standing. Automatically
uses the left hand on top.
Demonstrates excellent
posture, sitting or standing.
Usually uses the left hand on
the top.
Hesitates and thinks about
which hand to use on top;
sometimes holds the recorder
correctly.
Holds the instrument
incorrectly with right hand
on top.
Fingering Confidently and correctly fingers the
holes. Left hand thumb placement
is correct. All fingers are curved
and hover over the holes.
Covers holes correctly with the
occasional error. Left hand
thumb sometimes is placed on
instrument just below the hole.
Most fingers are curved and
hover over the holes.
Hesitantly places fingers on
holes. Has to check finger
placement. Fingers are straight
and close to the holes. Left
hand thumb always rests
below the hole.
Has difficulty with fine
motor skills with placing
fingers over holes correctly.
Left hand thumb placement
is at Fingers lack shape to
hold the instrument correctly.
Tonguing and
Breath Control
Demonstrates masterful control of
breathing and tonguing techniques.
Uses gentle, warm air creating a
superior tone. Consistently breathes
in a musically appropriate place as
indicated in the music leading to a
superior performance.
Demonstrates proper breathing
and tonguing techniques. Uses
gentle, warm air to create an
excellent tone. Demonstrates
good phrasing for a
performance.
Demonstrates some control of
breathing and sometimes uses
tonguing. Uses gentle warm
air but sometimes squeaks.
Occasionally breaths in the
middle of the phrase but does
not detract from the
performance.
Has difficulty controlling
breath and placement of
tongue on mouthpiece.
Does not use gentle, warm
air as indicated by squeaks
throughout. Breaths in the
middle of phrases, detracting
from the performance.
Melody and
Pitch Accuracy
Reads and fingers pitches correctly
with confidence. All pitches
consistently correct. Demonstrates a
musical approach to the instrument.
Reads pitches correctly with an
occasional wrong note during
performance, needs little or no
assistance. Pitches are mostly
correct. Meets the musical
demands required
Reads some pitches incorrectly
or hesitantly; requires time to
decipher. Needs some
assistance with pitch names
and correct fingerings.
Begins to recognize musical
symbols; needs a great deal
of assistance. Wrong pitches
detract from the
performance.
Rhythm Can ready and play rhythms with
success and consistency. Note
durations are precise leading to a
superior performance.
Can read and play the correct
rhythms with success. Very few
mistakes in note duration,
excellent performance
Can read and play some
rhythms with some success.
Many or repeated not duration
mistakes. Rhythms problems
lead to and inconsistent
performance.
Can read and play a pitches
and rhythms with limited
success. Rhythmic accuracy
significantly impacts the
overall performance.

Music Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools
Grade 4
4.3 The student will play a variety of pitched and non-pitched instruments alone and with others,
including
1. playing music of increasing difficulty in two-part ensembles;
2. playing melodies of increasing difficulty written on the treble staff;
3. playing a given melody on a recorder or other similar instrument;
4. playing with expression, using dynamics and phrasing;
5. accompanying songs and chants with I, IV, and V(V
7
) chords; and
6. demonstrating proper playing techniques.
4.4 The student will perform rhythmic patterns that include dotted quarter note followed by an eighth
note.


Grade 5
5.3 The student will play a variety of pitched and non-pitched instruments alone and with others,
including
1. playing music of increasing difficulty in a variety of ensembles;
2. playing melodies and accompaniments of increasing difficulty written on the treble
staff;
3. playing with expression; and
4. demonstrating proper playing techniques.
5.4 The student will perform rhythms of increased complexity, including syncopations.