How to choose a recorder for a child and a beginner

The good news: you don't need an expensive recorder to start. But a very cheap toy pipe can put you off practicing — it is out of tune, and even a correctly played note sounds wrong. Here is what to look at when choosing.

1. Type: soprano

For children and beginner adults — a soprano recorder pitched in C. It is the most common, school textbooks and our lessons are written for it. The alto is worth considering for teenagers and adults who already play a little.

2. System: Baroque is better

The Baroque (English) system lets you play all the notes in tune, including sharps and flats. The German one is simpler only on the note F. If your child is taught with the German one at school — take the German, so the fingering matches the textbook. In other cases — the Baroque. Look for the letters B or G on the body.

3. Material: plastic to start with

Plastic school recorders from well-known makers (for example, Yamaha, Aulos, Hohner) are inexpensive and still well in tune — they are also used in music schools.

4. How to check a recorder

• Play B, A, G — the sound should come easily, without hissing.
• Try the low C: on a good recorder it sounds with a soft breath, and doesn't break into a squeak.
• Check the tuning with the trainer or a tuner: the needle on the notes A and B should be close to the center. A small deviation can be compensated with calibration in the trainer.
• The head should fit tightly, but turn with the force of your hand.

How to take care of a recorder

• After playing, blow through the recorder with the window covered by a finger, and wipe the inside with a cleaning rod and cloth.
• A plastic recorder can be taken apart and washed with warm water and mild soap every couple of weeks, then dried.
• Don't wash a wooden one or leave it in the sun or near a radiator.
• Keep the recorder in a case so you don't damage the sharp edge of the window — the sound depends on it.