h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I will come back to fight their corner later when I'm not so tired! Suffice it to say, for the moment, that I do not agree with you

shazz

I do not doubt, Shazz, that in the right hands recorders can produce beautiful music. It's just that in small hands belonging to untalented children, they make a piercing, excruciating racket that I would say could definitely put anyone off music making. And there is surely no arguing with that study's conclusion that kids are unenthusiastic about the recorder because it doesn't match their musical aspirations. Ever seen anyone playing air recorder?

Indeed.

I have run many a recorder group in my time, but only for volunteers admittedly. The participants have, over the years, ranged from 6 years to adults and all have ended up producing some fine music.

The problem, as I perceive it, is that too many unqualified teachers see the recorder as an 'easy' instrument with which they can use to fill a hour half lesson and, yes, the resulting sounds can be excrutiating.

Sadly, too many schools use the recorder as a starter instrument when they themselves are not aware of how to play it correctly. Hence I found that eager (yes really!) pupils would turn up for individual lessons or to join one of my groups and their technique and knowledge of how to produce a half-decent sound would be appalling. Luckily I could usually correct years of bad technique in one short lesson, but the fact remains that many players are tutored incorrectly which results in poor quality sounds and playing.

As with all education, there is a viscious circle. Most of the schools I taught at had veered away from classroom recorder playing in favour of keyboards - and believe me, a room full of those played by beginners is no picnic either! Schools with limited funds are still stuck with how to fill a music lesson, however, so the recorder'*can* be the cheapest option available to them - percussion and occarinas being the other main two.

Many moons ago, music was recognised as a more important subject, schools owned their own instruments and lessons, although sometimes majorly over-susbscribed, were free to all pupils. This happy state of affairs went into decline in the early 80s when Music Centres throughout the UK were summarily closed and lessons were moved into the elite circus of fee-paying. This was at a time when music lessons were still compulsary for all, so schools, already strapped for cash, had no alternative but to find a quick and cheap way to fulfil their obligations.

You would be surprised to know that, at my schools anyway, where the keyboard was the preferred classroom instrument, I still had pupils queueing up to pay to learn the recorder. I have had 'small hands' who can play beautifully after a short time, believe me, and have taught quite a few throughout their time at school right up to diploma standards and beyond.

I saw the report you mention on the BBC last evening. It seems to me that music education is on a steady downward slope and the recorder is being used as the scapegoat!

It is a wonderful instrument group to play, having at least 7 different sizes to choose from, is an excellent springboard to all other wind instruments and even keyboard instruments, and shouldn't be belittled as a 'childs toy' - it makes me mad to see so many inferior versions available at shops like Toys aren't Us and Motherscare!

Right - rant over

I can see your point of view, but am just trying to point out that it probably isn't the instrument itself which should be blamed, more a lack of direction and teaching skills in many schools already struggling to keep their heads above water.

shazz - who has a reference stating that she is the best recorder teacher in her area and lots of thank you cards from ex pupils of the recorder -

Oh - and 'air recorder'?

Hmmm... how many instruments, apart from drums and guitar, have you seen played in this fashion then Ormy?

Personally I think that a room full of inept violin players make a far worse noise than recorders anyway - but then I'm essentially a wind and keyboard player so I would say that

shazz

Fair enough, Shazz. My remarks certainly weren't meant as an attack on your professional skills. Although, having seen one memorable picture of you playing the flute (full length, back view - remember? ) I suppose I should have guessed that you might play the recorder too!

Oh, and I have seen people playing air keyboards. You just have to go to the right gigs. Or maybe the wrong ones...

Shhhhhh... keep that sight to yourself eh Ormy

I must admit, I have seen TM playing air keyboard too... but I haven't noticed many air clarinettists about, for example

shazz

*raises hand ishly*

I've played the air saxophone before.

And a wonderful picture that conjures up Bagpuss

shazz

I was listening to the News Quiz on radio 4 on Friday and there was a gem of quote:

"apparently, playing the recorder puts children off music for life. Children playing the recorder puts ME off CHILDREN for life!"
-Linda Smith

Now that's more like it

shazz

Air trombone is possible. Although it looks kind of weird. I will walk around moving my fingers to trumpet fingerings, but as long as I don't buzz my lips, it's not very noticeable.

The idea of the recorder being the de riguer instrument for popsters seems laughable but, listening to The Move the other day, I noticed an abundance of the things. Also, of course, one features prominently in the Bonzo's only major hit 'I'm the Urban Spaceman'. Dare say there were plenty of other bands on the mainstream fringes of psychedelic flower power in the Sixties that used them too; Jethro Tull must *surely* have. Now perhaps you'll argue that being on the mainstream fringes psychedelic flower power is itself pretty laughable, but I'd say that that was a credible stab at a hip and happening fifteen minutes of fame for the recorder. It might never have such a golden opportunity again now everything's so po-faced.

I'm not so sure about Tull, but Gentle Giant surely did. In some live versions of songs, they would add a section for a recorder quartet.

I THOUGHT ian anderson from jethro tull played the flute.

He also played the recorder at some gigs - although I'm not sure if he ever cut records using them.

*Will try to remember to check soon*

shazz

shazz- I am left with the worrying impression that you have actually SEEN Jethro Tull live. I am now on the verge of losing all respect I ever had for you.

Oops

I was young and didn't know any better!

shazz

YOU were YOUNG?

You cheeky s*d

shazz

I double checked the All Music Guide reference, and while they list tin whistle, fife, bamboo flute, and wood flute, I believe (save the tin whistle) they are all of the transverse variety.