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Four Steps To A Clean Recorder

Posted on: 19-03-2012
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Category : Uncategorized

Four Steps To A Clean Recorder

The recorder is an instrument that belongs to the wind (more specifically flute and oboe) family of instruments. It was specifically popular in the medieval times, and has since been revived in the 20th century as a staple instrument for all types of music. Recorders can be made to be all different shapes and sizes, and are most typically made out of wood or plastic but can sometimes be produced out of ebony as well. Over increased periods of usage, a recorder can easily become clogged or blocked. The key to keeping your recorder notes sounding sweet and beautiful is cleaning it and keeping it clean. With the following tips, you can keep your recorder clean, maintain it, and keep those nice recorder notes flowing.

Step One

It’s essential to maintain your recorder, and to dry it after every use. Most companies that sell recorders provide a special tool for drying the instrument. The tool almost looks like a needle, and works by sticking a cloth through the needle and carefully pushing it through the recorder. It’s important to remember to be gentle while doing so, and not too hit the top end block with too much force.

Step Two

When you’re playing recorder notes and the instrument seems to be blocked, cover the window with one of your fingers and blow through the mouthpiece. Doing this will make sure that any loose dust that is present in the recorder will be dispersed.

Step Three

Another way to clean your recorder is to take a container and fill it with warm water and dishwashing detergent. If the recorder you own is made out of plastic, than all you have to do is simply soak it in the solution to dislodge any dirt that is trapped inside. However if you own a wooden recorder, than you cannot soak it in water. In order to clean the inside of the wooden recorder, take a swab and carefully apply soap and water to the bore. Remember to try and not get any of the joints or the cork wet.

Step Four

After the initial cleaning of your recorder, rinse it in lukewarm water. When doing so with a wooden recorder, avoid the joints and cork. Using a towel, dry the recorder as carefully as possible right after you are done cleaning it. If your recorder happens to be plastic, it is suitable to let it just air dry.

The proper care and cleaning of your instrument will mean that you can continue to play your recorder notes, and enjoy the sounds that you create.

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The Modern Recorder

Posted on: 26-02-2012
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Category : Modern Recorder Notes, Recorder Notes

The Modern Recorder

Modern Recorders of the world

The modern recorder is an instrument that is very diverse in its tone and range. It is generally thought that the modern recorder is a simple instrument, and one that is relatively easy to play. This is actually somewhat true, because they do in fact require less control and sustained effort on the players part, making them less dependent on the skill of player.

Although modern recorders usually have more of a full tone than baroque ones, they are typically not as loud as medieval recorders. Modern recorders also do not require a lot of maintenance which means they can be played for longer periods of time. The general tone of the modern recorder ranges from being warm to bright, and open to reedy. When compared with historical models, the modern recorder is usually plainer as well as less complex. Their wind ways are generally  larger and sometimes have some curvature to them, but most typically are straight with less resistance. They are also not as articulation sensitive and have a dynamic range that is limited, which in turn makes the less stable in pitch control. A benefit of modern recorders is that they are less prone to becoming clogged (if they are designed and correctly voiced), so they do not need as much attention and care as their historical counterparts. The main difference that is present between modern and old recorders is that the modern styles are more forgiving to a wider range of playing styles and techniques.

The different models of modern recorders that are available today vary greatly in both their appearance as well as playing qualities. Depending on if you buy a wooden or plastic produced recorder, the tone and overall quality of the recorder will differ from model to model. Because the choices of wood has decreased in recent years, not as many variations are available for wooden recorders as their used to be. Most professional recorder players like to use wood recorders as opposed to plastic ones, as they can allow for a greater customization.

The majority of modern recorders are well suited for use in both ensembles as well as solos. They are thought of as the ideal instrument for players who don’t want to have a large number of specialized reproduction instruments, but rather an instrument that is all purpose and can be used successfully in most all types of music literature.

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Techniques of The Recorder Notes

Posted on: 13-02-2012
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Category : Recorder Notes, Techniques Of Recorder Notes

Techniques of The Recorder Notes

Recorder Notes Techniques

People often scoff at the recorder as being a lesser instrument, something made for children. But there are different techniques of the recorder that require a great level of skill. The traditional forms of technique for playing the recorder involve controlling three key variables; tuning, tone, and articulation.

Generally speaking, a recorder’s specific tone depends on its maker. A change in tone can come from differences in design as well as what materials were used to make the recorder.  These tones can range from warm to cold, and from sweet to shrill. The individual who is playing the recorder can also dictate the tone as well through changing the pressure of their breath. One of the more notable features that the recorder has is its lack of air pressure resistance, causing it to be very different from most other wind instruments. Although many children and even adults have difficulty with controlling the release of air pressure to the recorder, it is one of the essentials of having good control over tone.

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Playing Recorder Notes With The Plastic Recorder

Posted on: 11-02-2012
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Category : Plastic Recorder Notes

Playing Recorder Notes With The Plastic Recorder

Playing Recorder Notes

One of most well known truisms of recorder selection used to be “If you can’t afford a quality wooden recorder, a cheaper plastic one is better than a cheap wooden one.” There is still a good deal of truth in this statement, but nowadays it cannot be taken so overtly at face value like it was in the past. In the past couple of decades there has been many numerous variations in both the design and production of plastic and wooden recorders. Today, there are a lot more good quality instruments that produce great recorder notes that are available to consumers, but there are also a lot of sub standard choices remaining as well. Although there are good quality recorders that are inexpensive in existence, one has to undertake some moderately involved research in order separate the good from the bad, and the bad from the ugly.

There has been a lot of improvement in the design and quality of some plastic recorders, most notably from the Japanese makers (Zen-On, Aulos, Yamaha). That being said, there has also been an increase in the number of poorly produced and designed plastic recorders as well. For players who are on a tight budget but want to make good recorder notes, quality plastic recorders can provide a very decent performance for a relatively low cost.

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Types of Wood for Recorder Notes

Posted on: 06-02-2012
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Category : Recorder Notes

Types of Wood for Recorder Notes

The Types of Wood in Recorders

Although the design of a recorder’s wind way and its general bore are more important factors in influencing tone, the choice of wood does have an influence when it comes to playing recorder notes. Contrary to common belief, the specific influence of the wood is not determined by its density or hardness, but its porosity and fiber structure. These two factors are the ones that determine whether the bore will be relatively smooth or rough. Generally speaking, woods that are soft and less dense make a bore surface that is rougher, which, in turn produces, a tone that is both warm and covered. Woods that are hard and denser make a bore that is more polished, which then produces a clear and centered recorder notes with a higher amount of projection.

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Recorder Notes Music

Posted on: 01-02-2012
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Category : Recorder Notes 3

Recorder Notes Music

Recorder Notes Basics

Of all of the woodwind musical instruments, it is debatable that the recorder is regarded as one of the musical instruments containing the most heritage. The recorder and recorder notes belongs to the category of woodwind instruments known as “fipple flutes.” Fipple flutes are musical instruments which are different types of “whistle instruments.” That essentially indicates that a wooden reed is not required in order to play sounds on the recorder. One can easily produce recorder notes simply by blowing right into the recorder’s sound hole.

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Recorder Notes

Posted on: 13-01-2012
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Category : Recorder Notes

Recorder Notes

Basic Recorder Notes

 

In order to get started with the basic recorder notes, you need to take a look at the basics of a recorder. A recorder is a fairly old instrument that was popular before flutes and clarinets became popular. The major use of recorders has been in the past, particularly in the medieval times. The characteristic recorder notes were used to demonstrate some classic sequences and love scenes.

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Recorder Notes for Kids

Posted on: 13-01-2012
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Category : Recorder Notes for Kids

Recorder Notes for Kids

Basic Recorder Notes for Kids

 

The basic recorder notes for kids are a collection of the seven basic recorder notes and their variations. Basically, the recorder is a dated instrument that was seen as an ancestor to the flute. In the medieval times, the use of recorder was popular and it was an inseparable part of the culture. The recorder notes were used to make different sounds that were helpful in depicting a wide range of emotions and love.

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Recorder Notes Chart

Posted on: 13-01-2012
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Category : Recorder Notes Chart

Recorder Notes Chart

Using a Recorder Notes Chart

 

For using a recorder notes chart, you need to have an idea about the basics of a recorder. The basics of recorder notes include the facts related to different holes in the body, under the recorder and at the end of it. Further, you should have played a few of the initial recorder notes, like the b and the flat c. Apart from these simple recorder notes, you should have tried your hand at a, d, e, f and g.

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How to Play the Recorder

Posted on: 13-01-2012
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Category : How to Play the Recorder

How to Play the Recorder

How to Play the Recorder like a Pro

 

If you wish to learn how to play the recorder like a pro, you need to take a look at a basic recorder first. The simplest recorder that you can find these days is a plastic one, suited to beginners. The plastic recorder is a good starting point for kids as it can help them in learning the basics of the recorder notes. In your entire recorder playing, the most essential thing is the aspect of recorder notes.

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