Which recorder is suitable for children?

Which flute you should start with depends on many factors and must be individually tailored.

Baroque or German fingering?

Generally speaking, the German fingering is not recommended for beginners. This construction is based on a misinterpretation from the 1920s. On the one hand, with the German fingering, it's easier to finger an F, making it easier to play C or F major, than with the so-called Baroque fingering. On the other hand, the remaining keys are more difficult to play, and it also causes intonation problems.

Another aspect is the continuity of the children’s musical career
(No one can rule that out from the outset ;-). Sooner or later, you'll have to switch to the Baroque fingering. So why not start with the Baroque fingering and stick with it?

Which flute size is right for my child?

The recorder belongs to a large family with many family members. From garklein to subbass (and even lower), you are spoiled for choice. The first two main solo instruments are the soprano and the alto flute. Which one to start with depends fundamentally on two main factors: first, age or hand size. Second, pitch. For example, if you start playing the violin at the age of eight, the child doesn't start with a "normal" violin, but with a smaller format. This allows the child to grasp the instrument and avoid overstretching the arm and hand. To stay with the example, there are all sorts of violin sizes – even for two-year-olds, there are formats that fit exactly to the child's height. You grow with the violin. It's a similar situation with the recorder: children's hands are smaller and therefore cannot reach far. The problem – unlike the violin, a smaller flute sounds higher than a larger flute. For most children, it is therefore recommended to start with a soprano recorder. And if the children are even younger, I recommend starting with a sopranino. The most important thing is to develop a good technique, which first requires a suitable flute size. Therefore, if you're an adult or teenager starting to play the recorder and have normal-sized hands, you can even start with an alto flute. But even in this case, you should try out the instrument first: When all your fingers are on the flute, they should be completely relaxed—as relaxed as when your hand hangs loosely downwards. Only with relaxed hands can you develop a healthy technique.

Conclusion

In addition to the parameters mentioned, it is primarily the player's hands that determine the choice of instrument.
Author: Agnès Blanche Marc