Why is the recorder a good instrument to start with?

Question

I don't know if it's the same all over the world, but in central Europe it seems to be a tradition that every slightly music-interested child has to play the recorder to start.

Parents seem to find the recorder the most awesome instrument in the world and that their child will be a big musician because he/she learned the recorder!

I don't see the big deal with the recorder, I was forced to play it myself and I really can't see why it was important that I learn it. I play the guitar now (since almost 8 years) and I didn't see a connection to the recorder during my whole learning-process...

So why do parents adore this instrument so much? Does it really help to improve something?

Answer 1

For starters, the recorder is a great instrument that is played by everyone from the absolute beginner up to conservatory-trained professionals. There are some differences in how it is used in European compared to American culture--for starters, almost all professional-level players hail from outside of the US, whereas in the United States it is seen primarily as a pedagogical tool.

The reasons for this, then, are many:

• Recorders are cheap
• They are not easily breakable
• They are light and don't require a specialized embouchure, making them usable as a starter instrument for other wind instruments
• They come in a few different sizes, so ensemble/choir music can be played without teaching new instruments.
• Tons of pedagogical materials exist for recorder as a result of the above reasons¹

Besides the physical considerations, I wouldn't necessarily say the recorder is easier to play than other wind instruments; as with many "easy" instruments, they are only easy to play badly.

To further explain the third point, we need to consider the typical ages where different instruments are introduced into the music curriculum (there are always variations; I will reference what is typically practiced in much of the US). The reasoning behind this progression actually has to do with the muscle coordination development of young students:

• Prior to 3rd grade, students will mostly be playing Orff instruments, which are percussion instruments that don't require fine muscle control in order to play.
• By 3rd grade, most students have developed fine motor control to the point where the recorder is a viable option, so it is typically introduced into general music curricula at this time.
• Band programs start either in 4th or 5th grade. These instruments are necessarily more difficult to play than the recorder, as they are larger and heavier, and require specialized embouchures.

So to recap, the recorder is used to teach instrumental note reading to all general music students, and also as an introductory instrument in the year or two before the band instruments become physically viable for students.

So, I don't know why "parents" like the recorder, as in my experience American parents don't have much of an opinion, and it really isn't a matter of choosing between the recorder and a different instrument; rather, the recorder is being used in general music classrooms with all students to teach relevant skills at that time. I imagine in Europe the reason for the different perspective is the greater prevalence of classical recorder players, and a different curricular use of recorder as an introduction to other wind instruments.

¹ see also: "Recorder Karate"

Answer 2

Child-proof instruments are a rarity. Recorders are pretty well bombproof. They can easily be twisted to accomodate left-handers.It's quite easy to play each note in tune and the tone , whilst not over-pleasing, is acceptable, unlike, say, the violin in the hands of a beginner. The fingering is similar to flute, sax etc.So paving the way forward for some.Carrying one to school is not onerous.Comparably they are inexpensive.In the hands of a seasoned player, they actually sound very musical.

Most musicians would possibly agree that the keyboard (piano) is the best instrument to learn, as it's laid out graphically, and is far easier to understand - even if not to play - but it doesn't fit into many kids' shoulder bags.

Answer 3

The reasons (in addition to those of DrMayhem), which I think of are:

• easy to find a teacher
• affordable even in decent quality
• no tuning efforts for solo play
• as all other woodwinds: ear and breathing technique trained
• traditional instrument for an orchestra
• many small ensemble formations and musical styles open to choose
• neighbour-friendly (closing the door is mostly sufficient)
• just one tone at a time (reduces stress for sight-reading, at least up to many ledger lines)

Answer 4

I teach recorder. People who loathe the sound should try the larger instruments. They sound gorgeous, even the plastic models. They don't weigh anything like as much as other wind instruments and are easily cleaned: plastic ones can be separated and put in the dishwasher. They have a very interesting history because their development was stopped for centuries and only resumed in the twentieth century. Kids are fascinated by all the different sizes. There are two sizes smaller than the descant and if you listen to the smallest you will really start to appreciate the sound of the descant size after all!

Recorders can do all kinds of fascinating tricks and techniques. You can get it to play a fifth lower if you close off the bottom hole so the air has to double back on itself. There is a long tradition of playing two recorders at once, one in each hand; also setting up strange resonances by singing into the recorder in a special way so that you produce three notes.

The lack of keys enables all kinds of unusual contemporary techniques. Look up on YouTube the recorder players who have recently beaten all the other woodwind players to reach the grand final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in the last few years before you write the instrument off. And visit Sarah on Team Recorder YouTube channel for more amazing facts about the instrument.

Please note that I am in the U.K. and what we here refer to as descant is also referred to as soprano in other countries.

Answer 5

This is the same in the UK - they are very easy to carry, and relatively easy to learn the basics.

My childhood instrument was strathspey and reel violin, and it certainly did help my understanding of music in general, and my competence in playing guitar. I think any instrument will aid in your learning of musical concepts,rhythm, harmony etc., so a recorder may well be a straightforward option.

Also there may be a subsidised or supported learning plan in Central Europe for it, which would make it a more compelling choice for schools.

Answer 6

In addition to all of the fine answers, some children are asked to start with the recorder to see if they do have musical ability and whether they will have to be nagged to practice all of the time. For parents of average means, an inexpensive recorder doesn't break the bank, whereas a guitar or even renting a piano is a lot more expensive.

Answer 7

The instrument is simple to learn which causes the player to more focus on all other stuff necessary to become a good musician. Learning to read sheet music, writing it and ear training. The faster and younger you learn these skills the more advantage you will have when you later switch to another instrument as you will then 'only' learn the instrument. The benefit of this is that learning is very focussed.

Answer 8

Every kid wants to play guitar, drums, or even keyboard, when your in second and third grade you don't even know what the musical notes sound like. Thus the recorder is the best way to teach children the sound of notes and to read sheet music.It is why most children learn to play it first.

Answer 9

Any instrument that helps to develop fine motor brain parts is ace from my point of view. As a teacher of several instruments, I find that often children play poorly because they have poor models or ones that they can't relate to. Every child I have ever worked with, no matter what their age, makes pleasant music and seems to have a great time mastering the tricky finger combinations. Very good for the brain. And pianos are pretty big to haul around. It's kind of equal opportunity and capable of beautiful sound, even the cheapie.

Answer 10

I like introducing recorder at the end of second grade with only the notes B-A-G. Then, at the beginning of third grade, they can play the first dozen or so pieces in the book and get on to right hand notes. I offer incentives similar to recorder 'karate' belts based on if they can play three songs with a specific note in it. When they finish book 1, they move on to other recorders with the same tuning in book 2 (using the transposed fingering), which is a huge deal, and at the end of that book they start to use altos and similarly tuned recorders. They LOVE it. I use The Big B-A-G book for second grade, and The Complete Recorder Resource 1 and 2 for 3rd and 4th grade.

As for handedness..., I tell the kids and the parents that if they can play the recorder with left hand on top, they can play at least 27 other instruments with similar fingering and hand placements, but if they learn with right hand on top, they can play the recorder.