Most people have a pretty good understanding of different instruments. Especially wind instruments as they are all so unique. (And because so many of us were forced to play them in school). But how many of us could reel off the differences when asked to?
Flutes and recorders are pretty different instruments. But as they are both wind instruments, and so played with the mouth, there are definitely a lot of similarities. So it might be a little difficult to differentiate between the two
So, what exactly are the differences between flutes and recorders?
Shape
The biggest and most obvious difference is the shape. Recorders are generally much shorter than flutes. But there are some variations and there are different types of flutes and recorders.
Make sure to read on for some more information on the surprisingly wide range of flutes and recorders.
Mouthpiece
One of the main differences between flutes and recorders is the mouthpiece. On a recorder, the mouthpiece is thicker than the rest of the instrument.
The top of the mouthpiece is rounded and has a rectangular hole cut into it. The bottom of the mouthpiece is curved upward so that it can sit comfortably on the bottom lip. It actually sits just inside the mouth.
Flutes are very different. The mouthpiece on a flute is a hole placed along the length of the instrument. The player places the mouthpiece just below the mouth so that it can be blown into from above.
Finger Holes
The finger holes of flutes and recorders are pretty similar. The holes are situated at varying stages along the length of the instrument.
They vary in size and placing a finger over a hole or removing it will alter the sound of the instrument. Indeed, this is how the instruments are played.
But the holes on a flute differ from a recorder. The finger holes of a recorder are more similar to a clarinet than a recorder. (Although a clarinet is, in many ways, almost a cross between a recorder and a flute).
The finger holes of a flute are covered with caps. Whereas on a recorder the finger controls the movement of air and thus the sound. On a flute, the fingers are used to press closed or lift the caps. There are also several keys that can be pressed to alter the sound.
Parts
The parts that make up recorders and flutes are also quite similar. The number of parts will differ depending on the size and style of the kind of flute or recorder. But, generally speaking, flutes and recorders separate into 3 parts.
The mouthpiece, the middle joint, and the foot joint. These parts need to be fitted together for the instruments to work properly. But the reason for separate parts is to make them easier to pack away and transport.
Playing Style
Recorders and flutes are also played differently. A recorder is held straight down and air is blown directly down into the mouthpiece. A flute is held horizontally.
How They Work
As recorders and flutes are from the same families of instruments, they work in very similar ways.
Both are played by blowing air through one hole at the top of the instrument. But the way in which you blow into both is slightly different.
Recorders
With a recorder, the mouthpiece sits just inside the lips and rests between the teeth. Air needs to be blown through a recorder quite forcefully in order for them to produce a sound. This is one of the reasons that they produce a slightly fuller sound.
The air travels through the recorder and out through the finger holes. It also travels out through a hole at the base and a horizontal slit in the mouthpiece.
Flutes
Flutes work in a similar but also quite different way. To play a flute you must, as mentioned above, hold it horizontally. Holding the mouthpiece just on your bottom lip, you then gently blow down towards the hole in the mouthpiece.
This action then causes vibrations to travel down the length of the instrument. This causes the air inside the instrument to vibrate and move through the finger holes and a hole at the base.
Types of Flutes
Most people are familiar with flutes. Whenever most people imagine a flute, they see a long silver wind instrument being held lengthwise.
But there are some different variations on this classic style.
Other types of flutes include:
- Piccolo
- C Flute
- E♭ Soprano Flute
- Alto Flute
- Bass flute
You have most likely heard of a piccolo but might be unfamiliar with the names of the other flutes. The C Flute and E♭ Soprano Flute are the kinds you imagine when you think of “a flute”.
A piccolo flute is similar but is much smaller (piccolo in Italian means “small” or “little”). An alto flute is thicker and longer than the C flute and has a more mellow sound.
A bass flute is a very unique looking instrument. Its end doubles back on itself and so is quite a bit longer than other flutes. It is one octave below a concert flute.
Types of Recorders
Even if you have zero musical abilities, you probably still once learned how to play Hot Cross Buns on a recorder. The kind of recorder you used is the most common. But there are variations on this too.
Many people consider recorders to be very simple, almost silly, and childish instruments. Mostly because we were all taught to play them in school. But there are some more complicated versions. Other types of recorders include:
- Sopranino
- Soprano
- Alto
- Tenor
- Bass
- Garklein/Piccolo
- Great Bass
- Contrabass
- Sub-great bass
- Sub-contrabass.
We won’t get into all the differences between these recorders as there are so many. And they most vary in size and sound. But just bear this in mind the next time you think of a recorder as a simple and silly instrument.
So, there you have it! Those are the main physical differences between a flute and a recorder. There are a lot of differences but perhaps more similarities than you might have originally though.
