Recorder Musical Instruments: History, Types and How to Play Them

Nafa Lightyani

History of Recorder Musical Instruments, Types and How to Play Them

Rancakmedia.com – All explanations regarding recorder musical instrument discussed in the following article. Recorder is a popular wind instrument, as is common knowledge. Not only the form, but the game itself is also quite distinctive.

However, its use is often noted in various musical performances, and is also often used in music teaching in schools, right?

This time we will learn together about recorder musical instruments, starting from their meaning, history, types, and how to choose musical instrument a recorder that suits your needs, and how to play it to produce a sound with a beautiful tone.

Understanding Recorder Musical Instruments

A recorder is a musical instrument that can produce sound using air pressure, indicating that it is played by blowing, and the sound it produces is melodic. In cases where this Recorder instrument cannot be played as a single chord or accompaniment.

This type of musical instrument, although called a Recorder, does not live up to its name. In general, this recorder is a flute-shaped musical instrument. The recorder is made of wood, and the part that blows resembles a whistle or mouthpiece.

This recorder is included in the category of melodic musical instruments, and the sound source is called an Aerophone because the sound of this musical instrument is produced by the pressure of exhaled air.

In the field of education, Recorders, sometimes known as “flute", often used for; Usually, students are asked to perform regional or national songs.

Although nearly identical, there are differences between the two, specifically that the Recorder has a hole for the thumb as opposed to seven holes, making it unique; Today's recorders may change in design, but the playing technique is the same.

History of Recorder Musical Instruments

Similar to the history of every musical instrument, the Recorder musical instrument has a complex past, from its beginnings to the progress and progress that this wind instrument has gone through. The history of the Recorder musical instrument is as follows:

1. 14th Century

The history of the recorder cannot be separated from the flute, which is one of the oldest musical instruments. A wind instrument mentioned in manuscripts from the fourteenth century.

The papers show that the Grove Dictionary uses the name Recorder in records dating from the family residence of the Earl of Derby, later known as King Henry IV, who practiced on an instrument known as the Recorder Nomine Fistula.

2. 18th Century

The 18th century term for a wind instrument was Flauto. Until now, the tup instrument is also often referred to as the Flauto Traverso.

Early in its evolution, the Recorder's shape was quite simple, with only six holes; each hole produces a different sound.

3. Year 1670

Since 1670, recorders have experienced advances and discoveries in the form of new keys with up to seven notes and additional holes. Quartz then added another chord to the C# chord around 1722. And in 1762, he added a chord to the D# chord.

4. Year 1760

In addition, Florio introduced the note G# in 1760, and he continues to make improvements and advances in recorder instruments to this day.

Benefits of Playing a Recorder Musical Instrument

Apart from providing entertainment and personal satisfaction, playing a recorder musical instrument also has many benefits for a person's health and development.

Here are some of the benefits you can get from playing a recorder musical instrument:

  1. Improves motor skills: Playing a recorder involves the use of hands, fingers and respiratory muscles. This can help improve coordination and motor skills that are useful in everyday life.
  2. Reduces stress and anxiety: Playing a recorder instrument can help reduce stress and anxiety by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and reducing stress hormone levels in the body.
  3. Improves memory skills: Playing a recorder involves remembering and repeating musical patterns. This can help improve memory skills and improve memory power.
  4. Increases creativity: Playing a recorder instrument can also help increase creativity by stimulating the right side of the brain which is associated with creativity.
  5. Improves social skills: Playing a recorder instrument can help improve social skills by allowing a person to collaborate with others in a musical group.
  6. Improves focus and concentration: Playing a recorder musical instrument requires high focus and concentration. This can help improve focus and concentration skills which are useful in everyday life.

By playing a recorder musical instrument regularly, you can develop your skills and gain health benefits that are beneficial to your life.

Apart from that, playing a recorder musical instrument can also provide a fun and satisfying experience in learning and playing music.

List of Types of Recorder Musical Instruments

Actually, the types of Recorder musical instruments vary greatly, there are 7 types of Recorder musical instruments such as Recorder Bass, Alto, Tenor, Soprano, Treble, Piccolom and Concert Flute, here is the explanation:

1. Bass Recorder

The bass recorder was the first type of recorder musical instrument. Recorder Bass is a recorder with the note C. This type of musical instrument is the largest of its kind in terms of size.

This Bass Recorder is intended to be used as a rhythm control for low class tones. Two octaves below the Concert Flute Recorder type are the Bass notes.

2. Alto Recorder

Alto recorder is the following recorder musical instrument. This type of musical instrument has the note G. The Recorder instrument itself can be played using the same approach as the Concert Recorder.

This Alto Recorder musical instrument is comparable to a Bass tube in terms of tube shape. This wind instrument was made specifically to meet the musical needs of the flute group.

3. Tenor Recorder

Music recorder Tenor followed suit. This type of musical instrument is on the note B. This wind instrument is also often referred to as flute d'amore, a term that comes from the richness and softness of the tone produced by this type of tenor, which evokes feelings of love in it.

4. Soprano Recorder

The Recorder Soprano is the next instrument in the Recorder family. This type of instrument has the note E. The soprano note itself is a combination of the piccolo and concert flute.

The Soprano is about four inches longer than the Piccolo, but shorter than the Concert Recorder. Some individuals can play the soprano because it is the right size and shape and is easy to play.

5. Treble Recorder

Treble recorder is the following musical instrument. This wind instrument uses the note G. The treble recorder is an unusual musical instrument.

This Treble Recorder instrument has musical scale which is larger than the Concert Recorder, so it is often used exclusively as a supporting instrument in jazz concerts.

6. Piccolo Recorder

The following Recorder instrument is the Piccolo Recorder. This type of recorder is in the key of C. This Piccolo type recorder is the smallest flute among contemporary flutes.

The Piccolo has the largest octave pitch compared to other contemporary flute types, while being the smallest in size.

7. Flute Concert Recorder (Flute)

Concert Flute Recorder is the ultimate recorder musical instrument. This type of recorder is in the key of C. It is true that the flute is a musical instrument, but the flute itself has several variants.

Initially, the Concert Flute had the same design as the Flute, but with different note sizes.

How to Choose a Recorder Well

Before playing a recorder, we must consider how to choose and buy a recorder so that it is useful in the game.

Selecting the type of Recorder based on note range requirements, selecting the Recorder type, Recorder material, and, of course, additional accessories in the form of cleaning levels and finger charts must be considered when playing the Recorder.

Below is a detailed explanation of how to choose a recorder musical instrument, as follows:

1. Tone Range

Various types of recorder musical instruments are differentiated based on the spectrum of tones produced. Recorder Soprano and Alto are two of these very popular instruments.

This recorder, as the name suggests, can make high notes. This type of recorder is intended for people who want to hear beautiful sounds, such as the high-pitched chirping of small birds.

In contrast, the Alto recorder's air resonance produces low notes. This Alto type recorder is recommended for people who like playing ballads with simple and beautiful tones.

As an aid to selecting the type of Recorder required for the game, many other types have been listed above.

Additionally, the Recorder will appear larger the smaller the tone spectrum it produces. If you want to transport a recorder, it is very important to pay attention and also consider its size.

2. The Safest Sounding Type of Baroque

The most common types of recorders are the Baroque (English) and German varieties. Usually, these two types are marked on the Recorder body with the letter "G" for German type and the letter "E" for Baroque type.

Please note that most non-soprano Recorders are of the Baroque type. This type of recorder can produce consistent tones and is suitable for use in various performances.

Due to the fact that Baroque style Recorders are made from high-quality wood, you are the best choice for long-term Recorder playing.

4. The easiest type of German to play

Unlike the Baroque style Recorder, this German style Recorder is more suitable for Recorder players who are just starting to learn the instrument.

Because German is easier for beginners to understand, it is not surprising that German is most often used in schools to teach musical instruments.

5. Match the Tone and Treatment Technique

Usually, wood and resin are used to make Recorders. The advantage of the wood Recorder is that the tone is warm, soft, and full.

In addition, wooden recorders have the disadvantage that wood is a material that can experience unpredictable temperature fluctuations, so it requires careful maintenance.

This gives resin-made Recorders the benefits of durability and relatively simple maintenance. This substance can be cleaned with water, so children are encouraged to play with it.

In contrast to wooden recorders, resin recorder tones are less strong. So you can consider it when choosing a recorder that truly meets your needs.

6. Comes with Cleaning Stick and Finger Chart

People who are just starting to play a recorder often don't understand the basics, such as how to produce and sustain notes.

Providing the Recorder with additional attachments, such as finger graph arches and Recorder cleaning sticks, simplifies the situation. Therefore, you should check these accessories before buying a Recorder.

Other accessories are also available, such as cases, finger hooks and joint grease. Indeed, these accessories are available to purchase separately.

However, Recorder instruments that have such attachments are often less expensive. Thus, whoever buys it will be able to choose which accessories are most important.

How to Play Recorder Musical Instruments

This musical instrument has a way of playing that is easy to learn and is suitable for all ages. The following are several steps for playing a recorder musical instrument:

  1. Hold the recorder with your right hand at the bottom of the instrument, and your left hand at the top. Make sure your fingers cover the holes on the musical instrument.
  2. Take a deep breath, then exhale through the hole at the top of the instrument. Make sure that your lips cover the hole tightly.
  3. Using the fingers of your left hand, close and open the holes on the instrument to produce various notes.
  4. Learn the basic scales on a recorder musical instrument. The basic scale generally starts from C and is followed by D, E, F, G, A, and B.
  5. Look for sheet music for recorder instruments and practice playing with them. This will help you learn how to read music and improve your ability to play musical instruments.
  6. Practicing regularly every day will help improve your ability to play a recorder musical instrument. Try playing various songs and scales at different speeds to hone your playing skills.

Keep in mind that playing a recorder requires consistent practice and patience to learn basic techniques.

However, if you keep practicing, you will be able to produce beautiful and satisfying music with a recorder.

Conclusion

A recorder is a musical instrument that can produce sound using air pressure, indicating that it is played by blowing, and the sound it produces is melodic.

This is an article about the Recorder musical instrument: history, types and how to play it. Hopefully the information above can be useful and helpful to all of you.

Also Read

Share:

Nafa Lightyani

I am a content writer for SEO, Technology, Finance, Travel, Cooking Recipes and others. I hope this can be useful for all my friends.