Recorder Tips for Beginners

Some things never change: For a good reason the recorder is still the number one tuition instrument. It is a small and relatively easy to learn instrument, especially for children. Whilst many people concider the recorder to be a toy, its amusing to see how many professional musicians started their career by playing the recorder. Many advanced level instruments, such as the German flute, clarinet and saxophone are based on the recorder and its fingering system.

The recorder can be used by children from as early as four to six years in early music education. At this age education is often started with a 5 toned recorder. In general practice is started with a normal recorder. The most suitable are the soprano recorders in C-major. These recorders are available in many different versions. To start with the “school- recorder” is ideal, it’s available in wood, ABS or a combination of both.


Wood or ABS?

Recorders made of ABS have the advantage of being very resistant to the large amounts children’s saliva and they can be cleaned very easily. These recorders are very cheap and can be used by other pupils after they have been cleaned. But please be careful and purchase the recorder in specialized shops. Recorders are on offer from time to time in supermarkets and coffee shops, but these instruments are of low quality and are often not tuned cleanly. Your child will suffer, especially when playing with others, as this problem cannot be solved via playing techniques. So it’s not advisable to save a little money at the wrong end, resulting in trouble and frustration from the beginning of classes.

Wooden recorders often sound warmer and fuller as there counterparts made of synthetics. With wooden recorders the block inside the headpiece is extremely endangered to becoming too damp and then macerate, in the worst case the block will have to be exchanged. The costly overhaul will normally surpass the price of a new recorder.

The best solution for children is a recorder made of a combination of a wooden body with an ABS head. These are more expensive as a regular ABS recorder, but you get the best of both worlds: the ABS head is robust and very forgiving, the wooden body ensures for a nice, warm and rich sound.


German or Baroque Finger System?

This decision will normally be made by your music teacher, which is why it’s important to test and decide before you buy. It is wrong to believe that the double hole recorders are equal to the baroque finger system, just as the single hole recorders are not automatically German finger system recorders. The baroque finger system is - as the name states - from the baroque era. The German finger system was invented in the 20th century to make play of the F-key easier, but this also led to a slight disorder in the intonation. For a first instrument or a school instrument this is not very important. All instruments for further use and higher grade are made in the baroque system. If you are involved in the decision about which system your child will use, you should decide for the baroque system.


Care

A recorder is a very forgiving instrument. The most important thing is to dry the recorder after every use with the included wiper or cloth. Even if it’s a synthetic recorder you should advise your child to always dry the instrument. Wooden recorders are normally made of 2 parts; more exclusive versions are made of 3 parts. The parts are joined with cork covered taps, these needs to be greased a little from time to time. Please don’t exaggerate with the grease, as to much will dissolve the glue and the cork will become brittle. If you don’t use enough grease the cork will become dry and the assembly difficult. In the worst case, you will not be able to dismantle the recorder.


Does a recorder have to be tuned?

No! This is practically immpoible! Even trying to tune a recorder by stretching it apart will not work!
In general all players in one group should use instruments by the same manufacturer.