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Woodwind musical instruments, particularly recorders, are seeing a decrease in usage in British educational settings.

Decline of Recorders in British Classrooms: Pondering Why They Were Introduced Initially and the Appeal of "Hot Cross Buns" as a Melody

Decreasing usage of recorders in British classrooms, as revealed by music education association;...
Decreasing usage of recorders in British classrooms, as revealed by music education association; question arises: What initially led to their presence? And what makes "Hot Cross Buns" a popular tune?

Woodwind musical instruments, particularly recorders, are seeing a decrease in usage in British educational settings.

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Ever remember that bizarre-sounding instrument you learned to play in school, the recorder? (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Now, if you're one of the fortunate souls who haven't endured a recorder concert, imagine a woodwind musical instrument dishing out tunes. It sports a thumb hole and seven finger holes, and when played by a gaggle of kids, it tends to sound much like a distressed cat chasing its tail. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

According to a new report from the United Kingdom's Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music, there's been a plummet in youngsters learning to play the recorder.

ESSEL LINTON, a music teacher in Annandale, Virginia, confirmed this decline in American classrooms as well. She credits the drop to necessity, mainly due to the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic on using wind instruments. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Linton, like many teachers, turned to the ukulele during the pandemic. However, as restrictions eased, she and her colleagues reintroduced the recorder to third graders two years ago. To her surprise, the students adored it, but realized that diversification offered different opportunities too.

The recorder remains Linton's top recommendation for instrumental learning due to its affordability, portability, and ease of learning. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Even a timeless classic like "Hot Cross Buns" is within a young musician's reach as it requires just three pitches. Not to mention, it shares a melody with "Three Blind Mice." (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

As a music educator, Linton is often subjected to a steady diet of "Hot Cross Buns"-style tunes. So, does she embrace the recorder?

"Yeah, I dig the recorder, especially when the kids nail it," Linton said. "But the first time we teach it to third graders, I always have to steel myself," she added, followed by another round of childish recorder melodies. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Most children learn the recorder primarily as a stepping stone to other wind instruments like the clarinet or trumpet. However, the recorder holds its own in the musical world, with many great composers penning tunes for this humble instrument, such as Johann Sebastian Bach. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

When growing up in South Korea, Linton herself was an active member of a recorder ensemble. She feels disheartened that students generally stop playing the recorder after the third and fourth grades, missing out on the potential to master the instrument. (SOUNDBITE OF RECORDER)

The decline in children learning the recorder is part of a broader trend in music education, reflecting evolving student interests and the educational system's response to these changes. Some factors contributing to the decline include diversification in offered instruments, shifting musical preferences, advancements in other instruments, and a lack of professional role models associated with the recorder[1][2][3][4].

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio record.

  1. Despite the decline in children learning the recorder due to diversification of instruments and shifting musical preferences, music educator Essel Linton finds it unfortunate that students often abandon the instrument before fully mastering it, especially considering its historical significance in the works of great composers like Johann Sebastian Bach.
  2. In light of the plummeting interest in the recorder among young learners and the broader trend in education, there's a growing need to embrace technology and self-development platforms that promote learning and exploration of various instruments, including the recorder, to ensure a well-rounded education in entertainment, music, and educational curriculums.

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