Squeak Busters Slides
Squeak Busters Academy
Recorder Training: Level 1
Mission: B • A • G
Case File: 001
SQUEAK BUSTERS!
Eliminate high-pitched squeaks, master fingerings for B, A, & G, and complete your first mission: "Hot Cross Buns".
Are you ready to investigate the squeaks?
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The Squeak Culprits
Identify the Saboteurs
Suspect #1
The Finger Leak
If your finger does not completely seal the hole, air escapes! Even a tiny leak causes a giant, ear-piercing squeak.
The Solution:
"Fleshy pads, not tips!" Press firmly enough to leave round ring-marks on your fingers.
Suspect #2
Super Breath
Blowing like you are blowing out birthday candles! High speed air forces the recorder's air column into overdrive.
The Solution:
Whisper the syllable "Doo" with warm, gentle fog air. Keep your breath slow and steady.
Rule of Thumb: Low notes need slow air!
Slide 2 of 8
Squeak Busters Warm-Up
Officer Training Protocol
1
The Laser Posture
Sit tall or stand straight! Pull your shoulders back and hold the recorder at a 45-degree angle down from your body.
No slouching permitted!
2
Left Hand Rule
Your Left Hand is the boss at the top! Left thumb covers the back hole. Left fingers cover holes 1, 2, and 3. Right hand rests at the bottom.
Left is always top!
3
The Silent Whisper
Without blowing into the instrument, blow on your palm. Whisper "Doo... Doo... Doo..." with warm, slow fog breath.
Tongue starts each note!
Ready your hands. Next up: Note B!
Slide 3 of 8
Note 1
Investigating Note B
Left Hand: Thumb + Hole 1
How to Play "B"
Thumb
T
Hole 1
1
Hole 2
2
Hole 3
3
Press firmly on the Thumb Hole and Hole 1 with your Left Hand.
Radar Rhythm Practice
Tempo: 75 BPM
Listen to the steady beat, then play this rhythm on your B Note. Whisper "Doo" for each note.
B Quarter Note Beat 1
B Quarter Note Beat 2
Rest Silent Beat Beat 3
B Quarter Note Beat 4
Keep your thumb tight on the back hole! Leaking is prohibited.
Sound check: Does your "B" sound clear and steady? Let's add Note A!
Slide 4 of 8
Note 2
Investigating Note A
Left Hand: Thumb + Holes 1 and 2
How to Play "A"
Thumb
T
Hole 1
1
Hole 2
2
Hole 3
3
Add your Middle Finger to cover Hole 2. Keep the thumb and first hole down!
Detective Echo Practice
Tempo: 75 BPM
Practice transitioning from B to A. Play this alternating radar pattern with slow, steady breath.
B Note 1 Beat 1
A Note 2 Beat 2
B Note 1 Beat 3
A Note 2 Beat 4
Are both holes covered flat? Use the fleshy pads of your fingers!
Ready for the lowest note? Let's reveal Note G!
Slide 5 of 8
Note 3
Investigating Note G
Left Hand: Thumb + Holes 1, 2, and 3
How to Play "G"
Thumb
T
Hole 1
1
Hole 2
2
Hole 3
3
Add your Ring Finger to cover Hole 3. Three fingers down, plus your thumb!
G-Force Breath Control
Tempo: 75 BPM
Note G is the lowest note and the absolute easiest to squeak! Use very slow, warm breath to play this pattern.
G Quarter Note Beat 1
G Quarter Note Beat 2
G Quarter Note Beat 3
Rest Silent Beat Beat 4
Squeaking on G? Your air is too fast, or your third finger is leaking! Cover tight.
All notes mastered! You are officially ready to attempt "Hot Cross Buns".
Slide 6 of 8
The Mission
Case File: "Hot Cross Buns"
3-Note Beginner Classic
Note Map Guide
Note B Note A Note G
M1
B Doo
A Doo
G — Doo-oo
Quarter • Quarter • Half Note
M2
B Doo
A Doo
G — Doo-oo
Quarter • Quarter • Half Note
M3
G G G G Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo
Four Eighth Notes (Fast Beats)
M4
A A A A Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo
Four Eighth Notes (Fast Beats)
Measure 5 (Echoing Measure 1)
B (Doo) A (Doo) G — (Doo-oo)
Mission Accomplished!
Let's play it with a live backing drum track! Get ready to perform!
Slide 7 of 8
Final Stage
The Live Performance Track
Let's Jam!
Select Your Pacing
Choose the speed that fits your squad's level of training.
Snail Training
60 BPM
Standard Agent
75 BPM
Squeak-Proof Pro
95 BPM
Officer Checklist Before Play
Verify all systems are clear before starting the backing track:
Left Hand High
Left hand controls top holes. Right hand on bottom body.
Flesh Cover
Holes fully sealed with flat pads. Leak check complete.
Warm Air Ready
Steady "Doo" tongue strikes only. No candle-blowing!
Focus Up Front
Keep eyes on the notes and ears tuned to the ensemble beat.
Mission complete! You have defeated the squeaks and played Hot Cross Buns!
Slide 8 of 8
Squeak Busters Worksheet
Squeak Busters HQ • Case File #001
Note Detective Case File
Target Notes B • A • G
Agent: _____________________________________
Date: ___ / ___ / 2026
Squad: Grade 5 - Squad ____
1 Decode Note Fingerprints
Identify the notes shown. Write the correct letter name (B, A, or G) inside each detective badge.
Exhibit A
Thumb
Exhibit B
Thumb
Exhibit C
Thumb
2 Rhythm Value Decoding
Fill in the missing beats and match the rhythm symbol to its correct performance whisper sound.
Quarter Note
Beats:
Sound: "Doo"
Half Note
Beats:
Sound: "Doo-oo"
Eighth Note Pair
Beats:
Sound: "Doo-Doo"
3 "Hot Cross Buns" Codebreaker
Write the letter names (B, A, or G) in the boxes below each note to decode the melody.
𝄞
𝄞
4 Notes (G)
4 Notes (A)
Field Debrief: Squeak-Free Assessment
Verify your squeak-busting technique during performance:
Holes are covered flat and tight using finger pads
Blowing warm, gentle air with a whispered "Doo"
Agent Authorization
Your signature authorizes that you played all 3 notes with no squeaks.
Signature: ______________________________
Squeak Busters Teacher Guide
Teacher Instruction Manual • Level 1
Squeak Busters Facilitation Guide
Class Focus Grade 5 Recorder
Mission Objective
Students will master proper left-hand posture, breath control, and fingerings for B, A, and G while eliminating performance "squeaks". They will synthesize these skills to play their first 3-note melody, "Hot Cross Buns".
Gear Needed
- Soprano Recorders
- Squeak Busters Slide Deck
- Student Case Files
- Metronome/Track Player
1 Mission Pacing Protocol
00 - 05 min
Mission Briefing (Intro)
Introduce the "Squeak Busters" theme. Present the two main targets: "Finger Leaks" and "Super Breath". Frame squeaking as physical clues rather than failures.
05 - 15 min
Gear Set-Up & Warm-Up
Instruct posture (sit tall, 45-degree angle). Teach Left Hand on Top (right hand handles bottom). Practice whispering "Doo" against hands to demonstrate slow, warm fog breath.
15 - 30 min
Note Investigation (B, A, G)
Model B, A, and G. Have students "Check for Rings" by pressing flat finger pads. Conduct echo games: play 4-beat patterns on slides, having students echo immediately.
30 - 40 min
Melody Codebreaker & Play
Distribute the Case Files. Walk students through decoding the "Hot Cross Buns" melody. Play the song together slowly (60 BPM) before escalating to standard speed (75 BPM).
2 Squeak Investigation Hotline
The High-Pitch "Screech"
The note immediately spikes in pitch or screams, especially on Note G.
Investigation Check:
Check Note G's third hole or thumb hole. Have student blow into the palm of their hand to reset breath speed. Say: "Slower, warm fog air."
The Fuzzy, Airy Sound
The note is quiet and lacks clarity, sounding like wind blowing.
Investigation Check:
A finger is completely off-center or missing its hole. Look for the "circle ring-marks" on their left hand pads to prove complete seal.
Questioning Framework
- • Prompt: "If you squeak, what did that clue tell you? Is it air speed or a leak?"
- • Prompt: "Why does the G note require slower air than the B note?"
- • Prompt: "How does tonguing with 'Doo' make our performance clearer?"