Choosing a recorder

The recorder you can afford is better than the one you can’t. A good plastic instrument has nothing to apologise for.

If you are beginning, get a soprano recorder with Baroque fingering, in plastic, for less than fifteen dollars. The whole question can end there.

Soprano or alto

The soprano (in C) is the standard starting instrument; the alto (in F) is larger, richer, and preferred for serious study and Baroque repertoire. They share a fingering shape, so transferring later takes weeks, not months.

Plastic or wood

Plastic recorders — ten to forty dollars — are durable, in tune, and require nothing beyond a swab. The Yamaha YRS-23 is a standard. So is the Aulos 303A. Either is enough to learn the entire absolute beginner curriculum.

Wooden recorders — one hundred dollars and up — offer a richer tone, but they need careful playing-in over weeks and ongoing care. Consider a wooden instrument after six to twelve months of consistent practice, when you know you will keep at it.

Baroque or German fingering

Choose Baroque (modern) fingering — the system used by every serious method and ensemble. German fingering eases the early F natural but makes F♯ awkward and locks you out of most repertoire.

Recommended starter recorders

• Yamaha YRS-23 · soprano, Baroque fingering · $8–12.
• Aulos 303A · soprano, Baroque fingering · $10–15.
• Yamaha YRA-28B · alto, Baroque fingering · $15–20.

Next: How to hold the recorder.