Music is something most of us, if not all, loves to listen to. However, only a few of us knows how to play musical instrument. Nonetheless, the skill of playing musical instruments can be learned-and one of the simplest ways to learn how to play different types of instruments is through the use of recorders. Used by music prodigies like Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, and Johann Sebastian Bach, these woodwinds are popularly used today by little children and neophytes who are just beginning to learn the basics of music.
Recorders are also popularly known today as English Flutes. These woodwind musical instruments are part of the internal duct family and are of the fipple or whistle flute class-that is, they are included on the family that also includes the flute and the clarinet. Being the precursor design of the modern day flute, recorders are also long and narrows to one end. They feature a thumb hole that is being manipulated by the thumb of the hand placed higher than the instrument and seven finger holes. All these parts are used together to produce sound.
Recorders where popularly used in the medieval times and throughout the baroque period. Music is produce through these musical instruments by blowing wind into them and against an edge called the labium. While the player blows wind into the mouthpiece, he/she also opens and/or closes the finger holes. These combinations of movements create the notes, and hence, the music. Quite inexpensive and easy to play, these woodwind instruments are popularly seen today in music schools and are used to teach beginners or amateurs on the basics of music.
Recorders also come in a variety of types-each of which is used to produce a different type of sound. Based on their size, the five types of recorders, beginning from the smallest, are the sopranino, descant, treble, tenor, and bass. The sopranino usually measures about 24 cm while the bass recorder has an approximate measure of 94 cm. So that the player can reach the finger holes, bass recorders, with their length, also feature an extra metal tube to blow into. Among these five, the one most popularly used is the descant which produces a soprano voice quality.
A high quality recorder can often be determined from the type of material used in its manufacture. Those made from hardwoods such as maple, pear wood, rosewood, granadilla, and boxwood with a block of red cedar wood are considered higher quality recorders and are preferred by professionals as they produce a much mellower sound quality. Nonetheless, recorders are also now being manufactured from plastic. Those made from this material are often cheaper and require less maintenance. Though with a lower quality than those made from hardwoods, the quality of sound produced by plastic recorders is, nonetheless, equal to or better than lower-end wooden instruments.
Recorders are indeed excellent musical instruments to invest on. Requiring very little maintenance and can be cleaned easily, these items are sure to make a beautiful and mellow sound that is not nearly as hard on the ears as a beginner may create with a trumpet or a violin. They also would allow children and amateur players to become professionals in no time.
Recorders are also popularly known today as English Flutes. These woodwind musical instruments are part of the internal duct family and are of the fipple or whistle flute class-that is, they are included on the family that also includes the flute and the clarinet. Being the precursor design of the modern day flute, recorders are also long and narrows to one end. They feature a thumb hole that is being manipulated by the thumb of the hand placed higher than the instrument and seven finger holes. All these parts are used together to produce sound.
Recorders where popularly used in the medieval times and throughout the baroque period. Music is produce through these musical instruments by blowing wind into them and against an edge called the labium. While the player blows wind into the mouthpiece, he/she also opens and/or closes the finger holes. These combinations of movements create the notes, and hence, the music. Quite inexpensive and easy to play, these woodwind instruments are popularly seen today in music schools and are used to teach beginners or amateurs on the basics of music.
Recorders also come in a variety of types-each of which is used to produce a different type of sound. Based on their size, the five types of recorders, beginning from the smallest, are the sopranino, descant, treble, tenor, and bass. The sopranino usually measures about 24 cm while the bass recorder has an approximate measure of 94 cm. So that the player can reach the finger holes, bass recorders, with their length, also feature an extra metal tube to blow into. Among these five, the one most popularly used is the descant which produces a soprano voice quality.
A high quality recorder can often be determined from the type of material used in its manufacture. Those made from hardwoods such as maple, pear wood, rosewood, granadilla, and boxwood with a block of red cedar wood are considered higher quality recorders and are preferred by professionals as they produce a much mellower sound quality. Nonetheless, recorders are also now being manufactured from plastic. Those made from this material are often cheaper and require less maintenance. Though with a lower quality than those made from hardwoods, the quality of sound produced by plastic recorders is, nonetheless, equal to or better than lower-end wooden instruments.
Recorders are indeed excellent musical instruments to invest on. Requiring very little maintenance and can be cleaned easily, these items are sure to make a beautiful and mellow sound that is not nearly as hard on the ears as a beginner may create with a trumpet or a violin. They also would allow children and amateur players to become professionals in no time.
About the Author:
Jean Francois is a high school music teacher from Germany. To teach music to his students who are just beginning to learn the basics of music, teacher Jean uses a recorder, a type of music instrument that is also known as "Moeck Blockfloete" in German.
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