The recorder is a really cool instrument that most people remember from their school days. Even though it might seem like a kid’s toy, this wind instrument has a rich history and was once a key part of music.
It was very popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Famous composers, like Bach and Handel, even wrote music for it.
But that’s just the beginning of the recorder’s story! In this post, we’ll share 16 fascinating facts about the recorder that you might not know. Read on!
Table of Contents
1. Recorders Are Really Old
Recorders aren’t just old; they’ve been around since the Middle Ages — that’s a few centuries before the invention of the tuba, the clarinet, and the harmonica!
Early musicians who played recorders back then didn’t use today’s mass-produced plastic versions of the instrument. Instead, they played recorders carved out of ivory or wood.
The oldest example of the recorder that survived to date has been linked to 14th-century Europe.
2. The Recorder Was First Made From Plumwood
Speaking of the earliest recorder, it was discovered in Göttingen, Germany. The length of this instrument is around 10 inches (256 mm), and it was carved from a single chunk of plumwood.
One of the cool things about the design of this recorder is that it can accommodate both right-handed and left-handed players because the bottom finger can take advantage of widely spaced double holes.
3. The Name “Recorder” Used To Make Sense
Way before the age of voice messages, voicemails, and tape recorders, saying that you “recorded” something meant that you memorized it by heart.
As far as this translation goes, the simple “recorder” flute makes sense to have such a name. Another possible explanation for this instrument’s name is that it was often used for practice, also referred to as “recording.”
That being said, the name “recorder” doesn’t translate well in other languages besides English, and it’s usually categorized as a type of flute.
4. The Name “Recorder” Was First Used In The 14th Century
The first time the term “recorder” was used to refer to a musical instrument was back in 1388. It was listed as the property of the Earl of Derby’s household, who later became King Henry IV.
Over time, the recorder’s design evolved, and its popularity spread across different classes and regions, eventually influencing musical traditions in various parts of the world.
5. It Used To Be A Staple Of Classical Music
While serious musicians of the modern-day may look down on the recorder, the instrument was a crucial part of the wind section throughout the Baroque period.
Huge names such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, and Georg Frideric Handel integrated the recorder into their works.
The recorder was often used in opera to evoke pastoral images — such as shepherds and birds — and erotic themes thanks to its clear and sweet sound.
6. The Recorder Features In Shakespeare’s Hamlet
The recorder was so popular in the 16th century that even the most famous writer used it as a metaphor.
That’s right! William Shakespeare mentioned the recorder in the third act of Hamlet. Hamlet asks Guildenstern to play the recorder, but Guildenstern says he can’t. Hamlet insists it’s easy, but Guildenstern still refuses.
Hamlet then says that if Guildenstern can “play” him so easily, he should have no trouble with the simple recorder.
This comparison became common, though today, people are more likely to say they were “played like a fiddle” instead of a recorder.
7. The Recorder Was Collected By Royalty
Better known for his many marriages, you might not know that King Henry VIII was also a talented musician.
Besides being a king, he composed and published several songs and instrumental pieces. He loved collecting instruments and had 76 recorders by the time he died in 1547!
According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, when the King wasn’t playing these instruments himself, they were probably played by the royal recorder consort and other professionals.
8. It Has An Everlasting Fundamental Structure
Although the details of a recorder’s design have dramatically changed over the years, the basic construction still follows the same set of concepts and characteristics.
The are three main parts of a recorder. These are the head section, which is a whistle mouthpiece; the middle section, which consists of seven fingerholes; and the foot section, which features only one hole for the thumb.
9. Recorders Come In Many Sizes
Like most woodwind instruments, recorders come in several different shapes and sizes.
However, there are five common types from smallest (and highest pitch) to largest (and lowest pitch, and they are the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.
However, you can get even bigger recorders, such as the subcontrabass recorder, which is over six feet tall!
10. The Plastic Recorder Came Out In The 1960s
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Recorders transitioned to plastic around the 1950s, becoming the cheap, lightweight version we know today. This change happened for many reasons: plastic was readily available and could be mass-produced, making it more durable and longer-lasting than wooden recorders.
The switch to plastic also significantly lowered the price, making recorders one of the most affordable instruments to learn. Despite the material change, the sound quality remained high, so it remains a popular choice.
11. The Recorder Was Dominated By The Flute
Although the recorder is technically a type of flute, the term “flute” usually refers to the transverse flute, which you hold horizontally and blow into from the side. The transverse flute arrived in Europe from Asia in the 14th century and became common in orchestras by the 19th century.
Because of its limited range and lower volume, the recorder couldn’t compete with the bold, piercing sound of the transverse flute in concert halls. As a result, it was gradually phased out during the 19th century and is no longer part of the modern orchestra.
12. The Recorder Entered Classrooms In Style
Carl Orff, a German composer known for the famous piece Carmina Burana, also played a key role in bringing the recorder into schools with his teaching method, Orff Schulwerk.
This method emphasizes that children learn music better if they can sing the notes they’re playing. The soprano recorder, with its sound similar to a child’s voice, fits perfectly with this approach.
Around the same time, plastic recorders were introduced, making it easier for schools to buy them in large quantities.
13. The Recorder Used To Rock
One of the ways that music teachers use to get their students to approach the recorder is by emphasizing the connection between said instrument and classic rock in hopes of making it seem more hip.
Paul McCartney integrated the recorder’s sound into a few of his solo works but, more notably, into the Beatles’ “Fool on the Hill.”
Besides this, the recorder also features in the music of David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and Lou Reed.That said, not all the rock stars who used the instrument were proud of the fact.
14. The Recorder Can Be Really Big
When most people think of a recorder, they imagine the standard soprano size. However, recorders can actually come in much larger sizes. For instance, the subcontrabass recorder is the largest type, standing about 10 feet tall (around 3 meters).
There are only three of these massive instruments in existence, and they are quite expensive, costing at least €14,000 each!
15. Early Music Enthusiasts Stopped the Recorder From Going Extinct
The recorder was on the verge of completely going out of existence, but it was saved by the efforts of some music enthusiasts and multiple institutions who had an interest in pre-classical music.
They held events and presented performances where old instruments were showcased and played, for example, the concert of 1885’s International Inventions Exhibition.
16. It Was Given To Prisoners Of War
To ease their feelings, prisoners of war in the RAF, who were captured by the Germans during WWII, were given recorders to play. These instruments, manufactured in England, were the earliest version of plastic recorders.
Providing these recorders helped the prisoners maintain a sense of normalcy and comfort during their confinement. The use of such instruments was a small but meaningful way to improve their morale.
Summing Up Our Facts About The Recorder
There you have it, a couple of interesting facts about the recorder you might not be familiar with. As you can tell, the recorder has a rich history and a fascinating role in music that you can’t ignore.
Today, the recorder continues to be an instrument with a unique charm and enduring appeal.
Thanks for exploring these facts with us — perhaps you’ll see the recorder in a new light the next time you hear its sound or see one being played!
