The recorder is often seen as the daggy instrument you first played at primary school.
But a small group of 50-somethings are doing all they can to change the reputation of the well-known instrument.
Each Friday in the middle of Brisbane’s CBD, the women come together to play recorders of all shapes and sizes.
As someone who has lived next door to primary school aged children who were very conscientious about practising their recorder, I feel this quote deep in my soul:
"I thought recorders were simple enough especially since they play them in primary schools.
“Little did I know, it’s easy to make a note, it’s not easy to play well.”
It’s so strange to me that so many people get forced to play the recorder for a while in school, yet basic education of the musical world is completely absent. Perhaps taking the kids to a few different kinds of concerts would do away with such weird takes like “but fans of the recorder say the instrument’s reputation is undeserved”. Music schools for example like to do outreach concerts for kids where they show off and explain instruments etc.
On the topic of recorder performances, people like to criticize the recorder player in the youtube comments, but I like how the group Red Priest interprets and performs music.
Red Priest - Spring
Red Priest play the Hoxne Music Festival 2010