When you play a scale with German fingering, you remove each finger in succession. If you are using English/Baroque fingering, you would play Low F by holding the middle finger of the right hand up, and all others down. Soprano and sopranino recorders are available in both fingerings, but alto, tenor and bass are only available in English/Baroque.

When you look at a German fingering recorder, the fourth hole from the top of the instrument is larger than the fifth hole. On an English/Baroque recorder, the fifth hole from the top is larger than the fourth hole.