- Definition
A recorder is a simple, whistle-like instrument, often made of wood or plastic, that you hold straight up and down to play. It makes a gentle, soft sound.
When your child blows into the mouthpiece and covers the top three holes, they are playing the note G.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A recorder is like a whistle you can play tunes on by covering different holes with your fingers.
Ask your child: How does covering different holes change the sound?
Common mix-up: Kids might confuse a recorder with a flute. The key difference is that a recorder is held straight down, like a straw, while a flute is held out to the side.
Examples
- Blowing gently into the recorder produces a soft, clear tone, while blowing too hard makes a squeaky sound.
- Recorders used in school are often made of plastic, but professional ones can be made of wood.
recorder is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
