The Recorder
Listen to the sound of a Recorder!
The recorder is a musical instrument from the woodwind family. It is end blown and its mouth is constricted by a wooden plug known as a block or fipple.

It has seven finger holes and a single thumb hole, which is known as an octave vent. It is not a very loud instrument and therefore not used in orchestras or bands, but is well suited to solo playing, small groups and chamber music.
The Recorder is most children's starter instrument as it is simple to play, cheap to buy, easy to carry and maintain. It is also very popular in schools because of its ease to blow.

Generally, there are eight different sizes of recorders, there are however four regular sized and played, these include the descant or soprano, alto or treble, tenor and bass.
1

Block & windway

A player's breath is compressed into the linear air stream by the channel cut into the wooden "block", in the mouthpiece of the recorder so as to travel along this channelled duct called the "windway". The air exiting from the windway produces a pitched sound
2

Mouthpiece

A player's breath is compressed into the linear air stream by the channel cut into the wooden "block", in the mouthpiece of the recorder so as to travel along this channelled duct called the "windway". The air exiting from the windway produces a pitched sound
3

Ledge window

It is the device that causes the air to split when one blows into the mouthpiece and creates the sound.
4

Head joint

The end of the recorder into which a players breath is blown.
5

Left hand finger keys

These are the top 3 keys closer to the head joint. Larger recorders have levers/keys if the tone hole are out of reach of the fingers.
6

Right hand finger keys

These are the lower 3 keys closer to the foot joint. Larger recorders have levers/keys if the tone hole are out of reach of the fingers.
7

4th finger pinky

The little finger key played with the little right finger. Larger recorders have levers/keys if the tone holes are out of reach for the fingers
7

4th finger pinky

The little finger key played with the little left finger. Larger recorders have levers/keys if the tone holes are out of reach for the fingers
8

Foot joint

The foot joint has one tone hole for the little finger of the right hand to play the low notes.
  • the  ​A recorder normally comes in three parts, known as joints, and has an upper hand thumb hole on the back and seven finger holes on the front.
  • The top part is the head joint and is the part that you blow into. The main body of the recorder with most of the finger holes is called the body joint. The bottom part is called the foot joint containing a single finger hole.
  • The Recorder is played when you blow into a slot in the mouthpiece called the 'windway'. The air is directed against a hard edge called the 'labium' to produce a note. The opening from the end of the windway to the other end of the labium is known as the window. The note is varied by covering or uncovering the finger holes along the length of the pipe.
  • Recorders were typically handmade using a variety of beautiful hardwoods such as maple, rosewood, or ebony. During historical times, recorders were most often made of boxwood and decorated with ivory, or even made completely from ivory. Today, many recorders are made of plastic.

​Unlike the specific names given to other music instrument players, a person who plays the recorder is simply referred to as a Recorder player.
History​
Learn more about the history of the Recorder through various time periods.
Buying a recorder​
As a beginner picking the recorder up for the first time,
Accessories​
Take a look at the different accessories a Recorder has and what they are used for.
Faults & repairs​
Guidance on the some common faults and repairs for Recorder owners. 

Types of Recorders

There are eight different sizes/types of recorder. Each recorder has a full chromatic range over two octaves. They are most often tuned in C and F but historically, instruments tuned in D, G and E flat were not uncommon and can still be found today. Most are named corresponding to the varied vocal ranges and the most commonly used recorders are the soprano (often referred to as descant), alto (often referred to as treble), tenor, and bass.

  • The Garklein-Flötlein is the smallest Recorder in the family but is rarely used. Being only 6 inches (16cm) long with only 3 inches covering all 7 holes, small fingers are essential. The Garklein is classed as a very rare instrument
 
  • The Sopranino is the highest pitched instrument included in the Recorder orchestra. It produces a sweet clear tone that carries over all the other instruments. The Sopranino is 10inches (25cm) long and is classed as a very rare instrument
 
  • The Descant or Soprano Recorder is an ideal first musical instrument for children. The Descant is 13 inches (32cm) long and is seen as the ‘normal’ Recorder for children
 
  • The Treble or Alto Recorder is widely regarded as the standard Recorder size; it has by far the most music written for it of all the Recorder family. It is the most ideal member of the Recorder family for solo playing having a soft, slightly mellow tone. Treble Recorders are 19 inches (48cm) long and are seen as the ‘normal’ Recorder for adults.   
 
  • The Tenor Recorder is known for its rich soft tones It is an instrument which is equally good at playing solos as it is playing with other instruments within an ensemble. It is 25inches (65cm) long and usually uses metal keys to reach the lowest hole.
 
  • The Bass Recorder also known as the F-Bass is the largest of the Recorder family and the highest pitched Recorder which plays from the bass clef. The tone of the bass recorder is lower than any of the other recorders. It is 3 feet in length and a rare Recorder.
 
  • The Great Bass either comes with a pipe or it is of the folded box section variety and often has 5 or 6 keys. Due to its size, there is a noticeable delay between blowing and the Recorder sounding with players having to allow for this by playing slightly ahead of the beat. The Bass Recorder is 4 feet long and is a very rare Recorder
 
  • The Contrabass is the largest Recorder normally played in a Recorder orchestra. Due to its size, players usually stand to play the contrabass and just like the Great Bass, the Contrabass has a noticeable delay between blowing and the Recorder sounding. Players need to allow for this by playing slightly ahead of the beat, along with a definite requirement for more air. The Contra Bass Recorder is 6 feet long and is an extremely rare Recorder.

Learn

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The best way to learn to play the recorder is to find an experienced and patient teacher in your local area. Sometimes, lessons can also be arranged via your child’s school where they may have a visiting teacher.
 
If you cannot find a local teacher, another option is to use online tutorials. There are many such resources available on the internet. 

Below are just a few examples of what is available : - 

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