an introduction to the recorder

An Introduction to the RecorderPrepared by Sandra D Crawford

History of the Recorder (Adapted from http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A471359)

Recorders have been around for centuries.

They were popular as far back as the 14th Century.

The earliest existing recorder, found in Dordrecht, Holland, has been dated to the early 14th Century.

Last revised Sept. 2013

Last revised Sept. 2013

Medieval Recorders

Three recorders thought to be from the 14th century.

http://indianapublicmedia.org/harmonia/the-recorder-in-the-middle-ages-a-medieval-mystery/

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In the 15th and 16th Centuries, it was common to have groups of recorders of different sizes to play together.

These groups were known as consorts.

Last revised Sept. 2013

The recorders had a limited range but produced a loud sound and blended with each other well.

This type of recorder is now called a Renaissance recorder.

Last revised Sept. 2013

Last revised Sept. 2013

Recorder ConsortListen to this recorder consort on YouTube by following this hyperlink.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma6ggGDlt4k

Last revised Sept. 2013

Types of Recorders – The Modern Consort

In the 17th Century, the design of the recorder changed.

It now had a bigger range and could play all semitones accurately in tune, making it better able to play the Baroque music of the time.

Unfortunately, the Baroque recorder was not as loud as the Renaissance recorders.

Last revised Sept. 2013

Although Baroque recorders were still made in different sizes, the fashion of playing groups of different recorders together lessened somewhat and the recorder became more of a solo instrument - the most common size the treble or alto size (about 45cm).

Last revised Sept. 2013

With the increase in popularity of the orchestra, recorders became unpopular because they were not loud enough to play with the other instruments.

By the end of the 18th Century, they were displaced by the flute and music which had been written for recorder was played by flutes.

Recorders and the techniques used to play them were forgotten.

Last revised Sept. 2013

 At the beginning of the 20th Century, there was a revival of interest in the music of long ago, along with the instruments used to play it.

This happened mainly in the UK and Germany.

Instrument makers started to make recorders again and the techniques for playing them were rediscovered.

Last revised Sept. 2013

In Germany, the adoption of the recorder by the Youth Movement as an instrument for playing folk tunes led to millions of recorders being produced in the 1930s.

Since then, there has been a steady increase in the number of quality recorders available and of people able to play them.

Last revised Sept. 2013

Last revised Dec. 2013

Young Recorder Player

Listen to this young lady play the Brahms’ popular Hungarian Dance number 5 on the descant (soprano recorder)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDRwBNP9uU4

Last revised Sept. 2013

Resources Information on history: http://

h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A471359Recorder Consort

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma6ggGDlt4k

Image http://indianapublicmedia.org/harmonia/the-recorder-in-the-middle-ages-a-medieval-mystery/