I count. I use the “one and..” system of counting, where the ‘and’ marks an 8th note. then count “one-e-and-a-Two-e-and-a..” etc. for marking 16th notes.
I’m just learning the recorder; worse, both alto and soprano. so the fingerings are still coming to me. That makes counting while playing difficult! On the guitar I resort to counting out loud through a difficult passage; not possible with a recorder! But this will soon pass…