Third Grade Recorder

As part of the Third grade music curriculum, students will learn how to play the recorder. 

The History Of The Recorder

The recorder is a whistle-type woodwind instrument that is from an ancient family called the internal duct flutes.  For many centuries, it was the most popular woodwind instrument.  It was used as a folk instrument in the 12th Century.  During the 16th century, several composers began to write solo and ensemble music for the recorder.  Two of the best known composers of the Baroque Era, J.S. Bach and F. Handel, took part in writing music for the recorder.  The flute took over as the main woodwind instrument by the 18th Century.

Recorders probably came to America with some of the first settlers.  There are as many as 26 recorders listed in the inventories of various plantations in the 1600's.  The recorder made a comeback around 1925 as a result of a renewed interest in Renaissance and Baroque music.  Today more than 3 million plastic recorders are manufactured per year.  They are played in many elementary schools across the world and is a wonderful instrument to learn on its own or as an introductory band instrument.  Many skills are learned from playing the recorder, such as fingering skills, embouchure development, breath support, articulation skills, development of the inner ear and notation skills.

There are five most common recorders: Sopranino(or descant), Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass.  The smallest recorder is only four inches long and the largest is about ten feet long.  The Soprano is most often played by beginners.  All of these can be played together just like a choir.  This is called a consort.