Woodwind instrument
The Recorder
The recorder is an ideal first route into music — and at the same time a serious instrument of early music, with a whole family of sizes.
At a glance
The recorder is an end-blown flute with a windway that channels the air. It is regarded as the classic beginner’s instrument, yet it is equally a serious concert instrument of early music. It comes in a whole family of sizes — from the small sopranino through soprano, alto and tenor to the bass.
History & origins
In the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the baroque the recorder was held in high regard; composers such as Telemann, Vivaldi and Bach wrote for it. During the nineteenth century it receded in favour of the flute, and in the twentieth it was revived along with the rediscovery of early music. At the same time it became a widespread instrument in schools and for beginners.
Construction & how it works
When you blow, the air travels through a narrow channel (the windway) and strikes a sharp edge called the labium — and there the tone is formed. Pitch is determined by the finger holes you cover; a thumb hole at the back helps with overblowing into the upper register. Recorders are made of wood or of easy-to-maintain plastic.
Sound & tuning
The sound is soft and sweet. Pitch comes from the holes covered and from overblowing; fine tuning is done by easing the head joint out a little. Because the recorder needs only very gentle breath pressure, it is well suited to training the breath and a feeling for tone.
Playing & technique
Both hands cover the finger holes, the upper hand taking the upper holes and the thumb used for overblowing. An even, calm breath and clean articulation with the tongue are the most important foundations. From here, much can be carried over to other wind instruments.
Role & repertoire
The recorder shines in early music and in ensembles, where several sizes together produce a full, well-balanced sound. It is excellent as a first instrument and for group teaching, but it also has its place in contemporary music.
Getting started at our music school
The recorder is an excellent first instrument — from around five or six years old. It is light, inexpensive and brings quick success without demanding much physical strength. For many children it is the gateway to other wind instruments and beyond.
The recorder family
Recorders are made in many sizes — from the small sopranino through soprano, alto and tenor to the large bass recorder. Together they form a harmonically complete ensemble. One further point is the fingering system: alongside baroque (English) fingering there is German fingering; for continued study, baroque fingering is the more widely used choice.
Care & practicalities
After playing, the recorder is swabbed out and dried so that no moisture builds up. A new wooden instrument should at first be played only briefly and broken in gradually; the joint corks are greased lightly now and then so that the parts fit together smoothly. Plastic recorders need very little care and are therefore popular as a first instrument.
For beginners: what makes the recorder special?
The recorder is light, inexpensive and needs hardly any strength — so the first note comes almost at once, which is especially motivating for younger children. It trains the breath, finger control and music reading, and so lays a good foundation for many other instruments. In an ensemble of different sizes children experience playing together and the full sound of the recorder family early on. Short, regular practice sessions are quite enough to hear progress week by week.