Recorder Home Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Compiled by Nicholas S. Lander

How do I order instruments, music or CDs from you?

This site is strictly non-commercial. There is nothing whatsoever for sale here. However, there are pointers to many recorder makers and retailers of instruments, sheet music and recordings who will be happy to assist you. Most of this information is available in the various databases maintained here, namely Makers & Retailers, Music Publishers & Retailers and Recorded Recorders.

How much is this old recorder which belonged to my grandfather worth?

I am not a valuer. If the instrument is of genuine historical interest I would strongly encourage you to donate it to a public museum with an actively maintained musical instrument collection. You will find contact and other details of many such museums world-wide in the interactive Collections database on this site.

Who made this old recorder labelled MADE IN GERMANY I found at a swap meet.

Someone in Germany.

Can you recommend a recorder teacher?

Since I live in the most isolated city in the world (namely Perth, Western Australia), it is barely possible for me to recommend a teacher to you if you live in the Middle East (ie Adelaide, Darwin) or Far East (ie Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane). If you live on the other side of the globe, for example in Europe or the USA, you will find a number of tertiary institutions offering the recorder as a subject of study listed on the Recorder in Education page. You may be able to find details of players who also teach via the Recorder Players page. If you live on another planet, I can't help you – yet.

What recorder do you recommend I buy?

This is very much a matter of personal choice, and there is a great deal of variation between instruments of the same make and model. There are some useful general recommendations given on the Instruments page. If you are looking for a high quality instrument, much can be learnt from visiting the web-sites of the many makers noted in the Recorder Makers & Retailers databases. It is also a good idea to discuss your choice with your teacher before committing to the purchase of a particular instrument.

What can I do about a recorder which is consistently flat, even when fully warm?

First, make sure that the problem is that your recorder is flat rather than that the other instrument or tuning meter you are using as a reference pitch is sharp! If you still believe the problem lies with the recorder then send it back to the maker for adjustment or replacement.

How did the recorder get its name?

This is a tangled tale. See A Memento: The Medieval Recorder.

How can I find others to play with?

There are societies devoted to the recorder and early music throughout the world. Contact and other details of most of them can be found in the Societies database.