The recorder is a woodwind musical instrument. It is an end-blown flute with a fipple mouth-piece and eight finger holes, producing a soft mellow tone. Recorders are produced in various sizes, the most common being the soprano or descant recorder frequently learned by school children. Recorders were historically produced in a fingering system now known as historical, later in the 20th century a new fingering system known as modern was developed in England which involved making the fifth hole on the recorder somewhat larger and/or higher. From being developed in England this system received its alternative name of the English system, and confusingly was also called the baroque system (the true baroque system was applied to recorders of the 17yth and 18th centuries). At the same time in Germany a rival fingering system, known as the German system was developed. Most modern recorders utilise the Modern (English, pseudo-baroque) fingering system. Recorders are produced in either wood or plastic. Low cost or student recorders are typically made from plastic, and while fairly resistant to errors in breathing technique, are also prone to squeak. Wooden recorders are more expensive, require firmer blowing by the player and produce a more mellow tone. Harder woods produce recorders more capable of expressing the individuality of the player, with the down side of being less tolerant to breathing errors and more difficult to play. Research Recorder
Abbreviations
Music
Research Recorder