Know your recorder; for dummies

What is a recorder?

vThe recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family

vKnown as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes

vIt is a whistle like instrument

vThe recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple.

The recorder was popular in medieval times through the baroque era, but the popularity declined in the 18th century in favour of orchestral woodwind instruments, such as the flute, oboe, and clarinet.

During its heyday, the recorder was traditionally associated with pastoral scenes, miraculous events, funerals, marriages and amorous scenes.

The instrument went into decline after the1700s, mainly due to the extension of flute¡¯s range of sounds.

The recorder was revived in the 20th century, because of its suitability as a simple instrument for teaching music and its appeal to amateur players.

Today, it is often thought of as a child's instrument, but there are many professional players who demonstrate the instrument's full solo range.

The sound of the recorder is remarkably clear and sweet, partly because of the lack of upper harmonics and predominance of odd harmonics in the sound.