The flute is a transverse flute, which means that it is held sideways. The player blows across a hole in the side of the instrument, and the air travels through a tube to the tone holes. The player opens and closes the tone holes to change the pitch of the sound.
The recorder is a much simpler instrument to learn to play than the flute. It is also less expensive. For these reasons, the recorder is often used as a beginner's instrument for children. However, the flute is capable of producing a wider range of sounds and is used in more advanced music.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between the recorder and the flute:
| Feature | Recorder | Flute |
|---|---|---|
| Type of flute | Fipple flute | Transverse flute |
| Mouthpiece | Whistle-like mouthpiece | Hole in the side of the instrument |
| Windway | Air travels through a windway to the tone holes | Air travels through a tube to the tone holes |
| Tone holes | Player opens and closes the tone holes to change the pitch of the sound | Player opens and closes the tone holes to change the pitch of the sound |
| Difficulty | Recorder is easier to learn to play than the flute | Flute is more difficult to learn to play than the recorder |
| Cost | Recorder is less expensive than the flute | Flute is more expensive than the recorder |
| Uses | Recorder is often used as a beginner's instrument for children | Flute is used in more advanced music |