The recorder is a woodwind instrument that may be made of wood or plastic. Plastic recorders are cheaper than wood recorders while still managing to produce acceptable sound quality. Thus, plastic recorders are more commonly available. Recorders have eight holes--seven in the front and one in the back.
Recorders were first developed in the 14th century. They became popular during the Renaissance beginning in the 16th century. Historically, recorders were made with two bottom holes in the front: one on the left of the center line, and one on the right. Depending on the dominant hand of the musician, the unused hole would be filled with wax, leaving the hole on the dominant side for playing. Over time, the construction of recorders was changed and perfected. Placement of the bottom hole on the right-hand side became the standard. In addition, Renaissance period recorders evolved into the modern instruments, with different hole sizes for different fingerings.
Recorders are known for their distinctive high, clear, sweet sound. Recorders are different from other woodwind instruments in how the dynamics of their sound are made. In a typical woodwind instrument, the musician blows harder to play louder and reduces the force of breath to play softer. When playing a recorder, blowing softer or harder will only alter the pitch of a note. For this reason, the dynamics are controlled by the fingerings. By resting the fingers lightly over a hole (instead of covering the hole completely), one can blow harder or softer and adjust the pitch accordingly, while controlling the dynamics.
Recorders come in different sizes for different sounds on the register, and they also come tuned to different notes. Most commonly found are instruments tuned to C and F. C recorders are available in subcontra bass (largest), great bass, tenor, soprano and garklein (smallest). Children in schools are most often taught on the soprano recorder. F recorders are available in sub-subcontrabass (largest), contra bass, bass, alto and sopranino (smallest).
Although recorders had nearly disappeared from use during the 19th century, recorder music experienced a revival during the 20th century. In particular, the recorder has become a choice instrument taught in elementary schools. Amateur musicians also find that the recorder is easy to use, although mastery of the recorder (like any other musical instrument) requires practice and study.