Recorder Lessons
It has been said that recorder is one of the easiest instruments to play but one of the most difficult to play
well. It's a beautiful instrument for anyone of any age, with long term potential for both solo and ensemble playing.
It's also a relatively easy instrument to learn at the beginner level. Flute can take a few weeks just to get the
initial sound clear, but most recorder players are playing a simple tune the first lesson. This can make it a great
first instrument for a young child who is undecided about what instrument they'd like to play in the future, or who
doesn't have the patience to persevere through the initial challenges of an instrument that's more difficult in the
beginning stages. It can also be a great instrument for an adult who's always wanted to play an instrument but finds
other instruments a bit daunting. Kids or adults with special needs may also find recorder a good choice.
One thing to keep in mind in deciding between recorder and another instrument is that the blowing style of
recorder is essentially opposite from virtually all other wind instruments. Muscles trained to function for recorder
will need to be retrained to undo all the carefully learned embouchure work done on the recorder. If the teacher
of the next instrument is well versed in recorder technique, and in explaining the difference with clear and
supportive descriptions, this shouldn't be a particular problem beyond one or two lessons. In addition, the vast
majority of skills learned on recorder will transfer directly to another instrument. However, a young child who
would like to play flute and has willingness to persevere through the first few weeks would likely do well beginning
with flute.