Soprano Recorders

The soprano recorder in C is the most common first instrument at school, but models differ in fingering, material and tuning accuracy. For a child, it is important that you can cover the holes securely and that the recorder responds without you blowing hard. Your teacher should confirm German or Baroque fingering before purchase.

A school instrument must be predictable

A multi-piece plastic body is easy to clean and allows you to rotate the bottom section to suit your little finger. A case and cleaning rod are more practical than a decorative colour. With an inexpensive model, check that the joints are straight and that the basic scale is in tune.

Do not confuse Baroque and German systems

The difference becomes apparent with certain notes, especially F. If you practise using a tutor book for a different system, you will develop incorrect habits. The marking is usually on the body or in the model name; if you are unsure, check it with your teacher.

Wood belongs in more patient hands

You must break in a wooden soprano recorder over shorter sessions and dry it after each time you play. Plastic copes better with regular school use. For a lower register and ensemble playing, you can later move on to an alto recorder; you can find the whole family among recorders.

Your breath guides the tone, not the volume

Blowing hard raises the pitch and causes squeaking. Start with a long, quiet note and soft tonguing. After practising, take the sections apart, remove condensation and let them dry outside the closed case.

A=440 or 442 tuning must suit the setting

As a school player, you will often not deal with the difference yourself, but in an ensemble the instruments must be in tune with one another. Fine-tune the recorder's length by pulling the headjoint out slightly, rather than changing the position of the sections for each note. Large deviations in intonation may be related to your breath or the quality of the instrument.

Confirm the fingering, choose a body whose holes the child can comfortably cover with their fingers, and add a simple drying accessory to the recorder.