Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Description for musical instrument, Recorder ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Description for musical instrument, Recorder
Category: Arts and Entertainment > Music
Asked by: roye-ga
List Price: $3.00
Posted: 03 Apr 2004 16:36 PST
Expires: 03 May 2004 17:36 PDT
Question ID: 324702
I need simple functional or objective description for terms of the
woodwind musical instrument, the recorder. These terms are:
mouthpiece, lip, window, head joint, finger hole, middle joint or
barrel, double hole and foot joint. Moreover, if you can simply
describe how to use it, and how it looks by words that would be
better.  Thanks a lot.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Description for musical instrument, Recorder
Answered By: leli-ga on 04 Apr 2004 00:29 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hello roye

There's a good introduction to the recorder which I'll refer you to
lower down the page, but first let me describe the different parts of
the instrument, as you requested.

Recorders are made in three separate pieces:

Head joint   - separate from the body so you can change the length of the
               recorder slightly to tune it when playing with other instruments
Body joint   - also called middle joint or barrel
Foot joint   - separate so it can be turned slightly to suit the little finger

The three sections are connected with tenon joints sealed with waxed
string or cork.


Head joint
=========

Mouthpiece   -  or beak, to blow into - not too hard! (see "tonguing" below)
Windway      -  the inner bore carrying the breath
Window       -  the opening on top of the mouthpiece 
Lip          -  or labium, a sharp edge in the window 
                the air strikes it to produce the sound


Body joint
==========

Thumb hole   - underneath when in use
               the player's left thumb goes here, but is lifted off
for certain
               notes
Finger holes - six holes on top 
               covering and uncovering these varies the pitch of each note 
               this is called fingering and there are many charts available to 
               help (see fingering chart links below)
Double hole  - the sixth hole may be two tiny holes side by side, 
               making it possible to cover one or both with the same finger


Foot joint
==========

Double hole  - for little finger of right hand, two tiny holes close together
               sometimes both are covered at once, sometimes only one


Good instructions for your first attempt at producing a sound come
from the webpage I mentioned:

"It's now time to make your first noise with the recorder. Hold the
recorder any old way and don't worry about the finger holes for the
moment. Put the mouthpiece between your lips. Don't bite it! It
shouldn't touch your teeth.

Now whisper the word 'too'. It's very important that you always start
each note by whispering 'too'. This is called 'tonguing'. It provides
a clean sharp start to the note.

Practise a rapid 'too too too' and long notes 'toooooooooooooooo'. You
should be able to produce a steady note lasting about half a minute.
If not, you're blowing too hard."

On the same page there are helpful instructions for beginners on
fingering a few notes and putting them together into simple tunes.
See:

How to Play the Recorder
Diagram, description of a recorder, and beginners' instructions
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A506387

Now for two different styles of fingering chart:

Interactive fingering chart. 
Move the mouse to show the fingering for different notes.
On the recorder picture black = cover the hole, white = uncover. 
Some notes need the thumb hole half-covered; this shows as half black, half white. 
If you don't play the piano, never mind, the note's "letter" shows
clearly on screen.
http://www.hants.gov.uk/hrs/finger/cfinger.html

A fingering chart with colours corresponding to finger holes
(Note the hand pictures on the right with each finger linked to its hole.)
http://www.musikhieber.de/pics/bflbargr.gif

Here you'll find links to huge amounts of information on the recorder,
some of it very advanced, but not all. Check the "sound files" section
where you can find recorder music to listen to.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickl/recorder.html


The soprano or descant recorder is the familiar kind described above,
but there are others, for example the alto or treble recorder.

I hope this is helpful. If I have misunderstood your needs or if you
have any other query at all, please get back to me by asking for
clarification.

Best Wishes - Leli



Search strategy:

Started with my knowledge of the recorder, and also searched google with:

descant recorder mouthpiece window
://www.google.co.uk/search?q=descant+recorder+mouthpiece+window&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

recorder fingering chart
://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=recorder+fingering+chart&btnG=Search&meta=
roye-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
It is great , thanks a lot!

Comments  
Subject: Re: Description for musical instrument, Recorder
From: leli-ga on 05 Apr 2004 06:07 PDT
 
You're welcome!

I'm glad you found the answer helpful - Leli

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy