Descant recorder books and repertoire

Choose music for descant or soprano recorder, then check your level and exam requirements. Our Syllabus Finder helps you match your pieces to the correct publications. Recorder Mix and Time Pieces are repertoire collections, rather than combined exam packs.

Recorder Mix contains 16 pieces and arrangements for descant recorder and piano, aligned to Grades 1 to 3. Every piece appears on our Descant Recorder syllabus from 2026. Check the syllabus list for your grade when selecting your programme.

Time Pieces for Descant/Soprano Recorder is a two-volume anthology for lessons, further study and recitals. Volume 1 is labelled Grades 1 to 3 and Volume 2 is labelled Grades 4 and 5. These ranges guide the level of the books; they do not mean every piece is on the current exam syllabus. Choose with your teacher and check the listed pieces for your grade before buying for an exam.

Practical Grades include three pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests. Our separate scales and arpeggios and sight-reading tests books support Grades 1 to 5. They are not included in Recorder Mix or Time Pieces. Prepare aural skills separately, and check which books you already own.

Descant Recorder Performance Grades 1 to 5 assess a four-piece programme, without separate scales, sight-reading or aural tests. Choose one piece from each of Lists A, B and C, plus a fourth piece that meets the programme requirements. Check Syllabus Finder and our official descant recorder guidance before choosing your books.

Descant and soprano are names for the same recorder. Treble or alto recorder is a different instrument, with its own repertoire and technical books. Descant Recorder Practical and Performance Grades run from 1 to 5; Treble Recorder has Grades 1 to 8. Use the treble recorder collection if that is the instrument you play.

Recorder Prep Test supports a first assessment after a few terms of learning. The five Music Medals Recorder Ensemble Pieces volumes offer duets, trios and quartets from Copper to Platinum. The Options Practice Book supports musicianship practice across those levels. Ask your teacher which level suits you; Music Medals assessments are available in the UK.

The from 2026 woodwind syllabus is current. The from 2022 syllabus remains valid until 31 December 2026; during the overlap, choose all three set pieces from the same syllabus. Use our official descant recorder guidance to check the repertoire lists and publication details before buying.