Author Topic: Question about learning to play the recorder (Read 5016 times)

MariaCatherine · « **Reply #25 on:** May 20, 2015, 01:46:36 PM »

Quote from: + PG +

Mariacatherine - I do not recommend you play the recorder with a history of arthritis. I strongly recommend against it. A six hole(three fingers from each hand) wind instrument is as far as I would possibly go(but I don't know the extent of your arthritis and if it is safe). The wind instrument that I can recommend for you is a pan flute - . They are a great instrument.

You should be able and safe playing one. And, know this, when you do repetitive finger movement, the finger muscles tighten up(which gives you better control of them for the music playing), however, the downside of tight finger muscles and tendons is that the fingers can injure easily(they are finely tuned, and therefore fragile). And, I don't think you want that(an injury).

But my Method for the Recorder (Blockflute) 100 Dance Tunes and Melodies 30 Progressive Exercises Pamphlet – 1940 just arrived. Can I use it with the pan flute? And is the pan flute as relatively simple to play as the recorder? Does playing it not require lessons?

PG · « **Reply #26 on:** May 20, 2015, 07:00:04 PM »

mariacatherine - Did you watch the video link I posted of a pan flute? The pan flute is a simple easy to learn instrument that comes in many different sizes(note range). And, it should work for you(whereas a recorder I question). But, I don't know the degree of your hand issues. If it turns out the recorder doesn't work out, at least you have another option that is recommended.

MariaCatherine · « **Reply #27 on:** May 20, 2015, 09:30:13 PM »

Quote from: + PG +

mariacatherine - Did you watch the video link I posted of a pan flute? The pan flute is a simple easy to learn instrument that comes in many different sizes(note range). And, it should work for you(whereas a recorder I question). But, I don't know the degree of your hand issues. If it turns out the recorder doesn't work out, at least you have another option that is recommended.

Yes, I did watch the video. Thanks for posting it. I will consider the pan flute if I realize the recorder will be impossible for me. Maybe I'm wrong to think the pan flute will require lessons.

Graham · « **Reply #28 on:** May 21, 2015, 11:07:03 AM »

It depends on the severity of the arthritis, of course, but I don't think a mild to middling case would prevent you from learning and enjoying the recorder, especially a smaller specimen like the soprano.

MariaCatherine · « **Reply #29 on:** May 21, 2015, 09:15:02 PM »

Quote from: Graham

It depends on the severity of the arthritis, of course, but I don't think a mild to middling case would prevent you from learning and enjoying the recorder, especially a smaller specimen like the soprano.

Thanks, Graham. I'm determined to try playing this humble instrument. From the video that + PG + posted of the pan flute, it looks like that might be harder on my neck than the recorder would be on my arms and fingers.

I can't seem to find a store in my area that sells recorders so I might have to research carefully and buy one sight unseen.