The Recorder - Old or New?

Although the recorder can be a quick and cheap way to teach the basics of music, it doesn't just stop there....

The instrument has a fascinating history, including major structural changes to the instrument, until it lay dormant throughout the romantic and classical periods. The contemporary instrument has this remarkable background yet at the same time is a new instrument at around 100 years old. There is so much history, and at the same time, so little.

Researching the early recorder gives us an insight into music history, changes in music performance, and the use of maths and science in music and instrument making. It also can help us follow social, religious and political changes in Europe.

The contemporary instrument was re-born with the early music revival and places us in the fairly unique position of being able to discover new and exciting ways of performing on our simple little flute.

Playing the recorder as 'early' or 'modern' allows us to be a part of this history, and like a musical archaeological dig, piecing together the parts we find and waiting to unearth something not seen or heard before.