RECORDER INFO

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1.     The Recorder consists of a FAMILY of instruments. Essentially, if you can play one of them (and know the fingering for the different pitches), you can play all of them. The Flute family of instruments is similar to this.​

The types of recorders are (In order from smallest to largest):

 

Garklein/Sopranissimo Recorder (Smallest)

Sopranino

Soprano

Alto

Tenor

Bass

Contrabass

Subcontrabass (Largest)​

The Recorders in Green writing are the ones most often used.

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2.     The first Recorder-like instruments are dated back to 40,000 years ago and were made of bone. The recorder can be found in every period of history.

​3.     The recorder is very flexible and can be used in a wide range of musical situations because it has no keys, reed, or embouchure. It is easy to learn, can bend pitches and is easy when playing articulations. This flexibility also makes it great for teaching in schools.

​4.     Though the recorder looks simple, its design is complex. It is shaped in different widths all the way down the instrument. Each hole in the recorder is also angled differently to get the right tuning.

​5.     The recorder is often used in Baroque orchestras. There are many Concertos for the instrument, music for an instrumental soloist accompanied by an orchestra, written for the recorder.

​6.     Many composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Handel and Mozart have written music for the recorder. Modern artists that have used the recorder in their music include The Beatles, David Bowie and Gotye.

​7. The recorder is an excellent instrument for producing Special FX such as multiphonics (playing multiple pitches/notes at the same time), Slap Tongue (used in beat boxing),  Flutter Tongue (Rolling your tongue while playing) singing while playing, playing two recorders at the same time, and circular breathing.

​8.     Because the recorder makes a very pure sound, it can create difference tones (extra tones/pitches) when multiple recorders are played. A third note can be heard/created when two recorders play different pitches at the same time.

​9.    The Recorder, though thought to be a children’s instrument, has a high historical status. Many monarchs (Kings and Queens) had recorders played in their Royal Courts.

​10.     The Recorder, though simple and easy to learn, is played at an extremely high standard.