Last updated: 16/10/2022

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We know that music has become something fundamental in the lives of all of us, that’s why today we will talk about the recorder, one of the oldest and most delicate instruments in the world. Don’t miss it!

Wind instruments are always the ones that bring that special touch to any soundtrack, and the recorder, without a doubt, is one of the main responsible for all the faint and precious melodies we love to listen to. A marvellous instrument.

Of course, as well as telling you about the features we know you don’t know about the recorder, we will also be showing you which are the best and most popular ones on the market, because acquiring a musical instrument, and especially such a delicate one, requires a lot of attention.




Summary

  • The recorder is a wind instrument. It consists of an elongated cylinder with approximately 8 holes, 7 of which are located in a row in the cylinder and the other in the mouthpiece. It can have different variations, which are adapted to each individual depending on his or her experience.
  • You can find many types of flute, but you will always find the main points of comparison between the soprano, alto, tenor and bass flute, which can be differentiated according to their price, their materials of manufacture and even their level of difficulty of use.
  • It is important to know every detail of a product we wish to purchase, even those aspects such as manufacturing materials, brands, among others, because having clear knowledge about this you will have more chance of a completely satisfactory purchase.

The best Recorder: Our Picks

Buying Guide: What you need to know about Recorders

Buying a musical instrument, even one as simple as a recorder, requires knowledge, as it may have many features or variations that we may not know about if it is our first time buying one, so today we have prepared this buying guide for you.

The recorder is one of the first instruments that children learn to play. (Photo: petro / 123rf.com)

What is a recorder and what are its advantages?

The recorder is a wind instrument. It consists of an elongated cylinder with approximately 8 holes, 7 of which are located in a row in the cylinder and the other one in the mouthpiece. The sound of the recorder is produced by blowing through the mouthpiece and at the same time controlling the air flow through the holes.

The main advantage of this wonderful and delicate instrument is to create music, one of the most popular arts all over the world. The recorder, besides being one of the oldest instruments, has a particularity that we all love, and that is that its melodies are always sweet and subdued.

Advantages
  • You can create music with them
  • They are light
  • They are physically beautiful
Disadvantages
  • They can be fragile
  • It takes practice to learn how to use them
  • Some can be expensive

Soprano, alto, tenor or bass recorder – what should you pay attention to?

A wind instrument such as the recorder can have different types, as the tuning of the recorder can vary quite a lot, so before you make your purchase it is important that you find out about all the variations so that you have a clearer picture when making your choice.

Soprano recorder

This is one of the most commonly used recorders. It is quite common to find them in children’s music lessons; this is due to the fact that their low pitched, high-pitched type is much easier to handle. They are also much lighter in weight.

Alto recorder

The alto recorder has a lower pitch than the soprano recorder, which makes it possible to reach lower notes. This type of recorder is a bit more complex to use, so they are mostly used by experienced players.

Tenor recorder

The tenor recorder can reach lower notes than the alto recorder. It is much more difficult to handle, so they are usually used by professionals when it comes to playing wind instruments.

Bass recorder

Finally we have the bass recorder; it goes without saying that this type of recorder is only recommended for professionals, as it is much more difficult to play, not only because of the notes it can reach, but also because of the angular shape of its mouthpiece and its lightness.

Soprano recorder Alto recorder Tenor recorder Bass recorder
Price Low Low Low High
Materials of manufacture Resin or wood Resin or wood Resin Wood or resin
Notes with which it works High High and low High and low Low
Level of difficulty of use Low Medium High High

Purchasing Criteria

Despite being a wonderful musical instrument, you should know that there are a series of aspects that you should take into account if you want your purchase to be a total success. Don’t worry, we are here to provide you with the best information, so we will talk to you in detail about each of them.

Manufacturing material

As mentioned above, the recorder has many variations, which can also be differentiated by the material they are made of, so before making your purchase it is of great importance that you evaluate which material will suit you best.

  • Resin recorder: Resin is a very well known material in the world of recorders, since most of them are made of this material. It is quite resistant, with little risk of breakage, so they are recommended for children or young apprentices.
  • Wooden recorder: Wooden recorders have a much more beautiful and delicate design. They are not as strong as those made of resin, so they are mostly recommended for professionals.

Brands

When purchasing a musical instrument we always look for the best quality possible, since from that moment on it will become an object to which we will be giving constant use, so making sure that it has a long durability and that it is resistant is extremely important.

If you want your recorder to be of excellent quality, we recommend that you buy a brand name recorder, as this will give you much more security. There are many different brands of musical instruments, but without a doubt the most popular around the world are Yahama and Hohner. We are sure you will find the quality you need.

Accessories

Another really important aspect that you should take into account when buying a musical instrument is the fact that you will always need additional accessories, especially if it is one that you will be using constantly, either professionally or just as a hobby.

A case, so that it is well protected and you can transport it without any problem. These can be made of fabric or wood, depending on the musician’s taste and how careful he/she is, although wooden ones are mostly recommended.

Cleaning fluid, for when it is full of dust or sweat. It is important that your musical instrument is kept clean and protected from all kinds of bacteria, since being a wind instrument it will require you to use your mouth to play it.

Silk handkerchief, to clean it without tearing it. It is of great importance that you have this handkerchief with you, as the instruments require good care and above all respect, as they are a tool for creating art.

Aulos thumb rest, so that those who need to play for a long time have a better pulse. This accessory is placed on the flute on its body, without obstructing the holes or the mouthpiece, then the thumb rests on its small support.

Warranty

It goes without saying that most instruments have a warranty of 6 to 12 months after purchase, which in the case of recorders exists, however there are some changes to it, so it is of great importance that at the time of purchase you are fully informed about it.

The warranty offered by music shops when you purchase a recorder does not entitle you to a full refund of the product and your money; this warranty only covers the repair or replacement of any part of your recorder in the event that it has been damaged by the manufacturer.

(Featured Image Source: Dmitriy Cherevko/ 123rf.com)

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