The recorder is a wooden musical instrument belonging to the aerophone family. It is commonly referred to as a whistle instrument because the sound is generated when air, channeled through a specific duct, is directed against a surface called the labium.

The Soprano Recorder

The soprano recorder is the most well-known version, often studied in weekly music lessons at school. It is frequently called a straight flute to distinguish it from the transverse flute, or alternatively, a beaked flute due to the shape of its unique mouthpiece.
To play a recorder, the instrument must be held in front of the lips, unlike the transverse flute.
The length of these recorders varies; some are longer, ideal for producing lower sounds, while shorter ones are higher-pitched.

Each recorder has eight holes: seven on the front and one on the back. The first three holes from the top are controlled by the left hand, while the remaining four are operated by the right hand. Consequently, the unused fingers are the left-hand pinky and the right-hand thumb, which is used to hold the instrument.

The recorder consists of two main parts, an upper and a lower section. The upper part, known as the mouthpiece, is placed against the lips. The second part constitutes the body of the instrument. In some cases, recorders are made of a single piece that includes both the mouthpiece and body, while others are crafted in three parts. The additional part is called the foot joint, resembling a bell, with the seventh and last hole located on it.

There are two main models of recorders, differing primarily in the number of holes, while their shapes remain similar. These include the German and Baroque recorders.

German recorders are named after the country where these models were most developed. Baroque recorders, on the other hand, reference the historical period during which they were widely used. The key difference between the two models lies in the fingering used to produce an F note.

Being a wind instrument, the recorder produces sound only through the musician’s breath, creating vibrations inside a tube. As previously mentioned, the pitch—high or low—is determined by the length of the air column, which varies depending on the length of the instrument.

Finally, the holes along the recorder’s tube allow the modification of the air column length, enabling the production of different musical notes.

The History of the Recorder

The recorder has ancient origins, with similar instruments dating back to the 11th century. However, the earliest recorder specimens are from the 16th century. Initially, recorders were primarily used in chamber music repertoire and, only later, around the 17th century, found success in orchestral music.
During the Renaissance, these instruments had a range of about an octave and a half, typically tuned in D or G, unlike today’s C and F tuning. They were constructed from woods such as maple or pearwood.

In the Baroque period of the 17th century, recorders gained a wider range of two full octaves. This era also saw the instrument’s name change from “sweet flute” to simply “flute.” Additionally, during the Baroque period, the recorder’s design evolved from predominantly two-piece or one-piece instruments to those made of three pieces.

However, by the late 18th century, the recorder faced a decline, prompting German flutist Theobald Boehm between 1832 and 1847 to develop a new type of flute: the transverse flute. This instrument was deemed more suitable, especially for orchestral symphonic music, compared to the recorder.

The Recorder Family

There are five different recorder models, all sharing the same basic shape but varying significantly in size. They are categorized based on their musical range and roles within an ensemble.

Similar to vocal ranges, recorders are classified as follows:

• Bass;

• Tenor;

• Alto;

• Soprano;

• Sopranino.

As highlighted in this article, depending on the instrument’s size, it can produce sounds at varying pitches. The bass recorder produces the lowest sounds, while the sopranino is capable of extremely high-pitched notes.

How to Play the Recorder

This musical instrument can be played either standing or seated. However, maintaining a straight back and head is crucial for good performance. This posture allows the musician to utilize their full respiratory capacity. Additionally, the recorder should be held at an oblique angle, forming a 45-degree angle to the musician’s body.

The instrument’s holes are covered with the fingers, using the pads rather than the tips. Each closure should be done gently without applying excessive pressure.

Finally, to produce sound, the recorder should rest lightly on the player’s slightly parted lips without contacting the teeth.
At this point, the musician simply blows gently into the mouthpiece.

In conclusion, exploring the history of the recorder reveals its ancient origins and how changing musical needs have shaped its development to the present day.
Even today, the recorder holds a permanent place in many symphony orchestras dedicated to performing the vast classical repertoire.