Good teachers of music over the years, have
come to realize how great the simple wind instrument the recorder can be. As most true recorder players know, the
recorder belongs to a consort of various sized recorder family, which had a
medieval history involved. The most
popular one from the consort is the soprano recorder.
Playing of this simple instrument has its benefits:
1. Development
of finger muscles
2. Increase
the use of eye-hand coordination
3. Developing
skills of sound discrimination
4. Sight
reading skills become improved
5. Sequencing
and logic are developed
6. Increase
concentration
Additional benefits are:
i.
Identifying pitch
ii. Analyzing sounds
iii.
Creating and composing melody
iv.
Arrangement skills are developed
v.
Improved confidence in performances
One of the main things about the recorder is that
for students who are very musically inclined, they are able to transition to
other instruments such as piano, flute, saxophone, steel pans and other wind
instruments. There are those however,
who have gone on to do voice whether it be choral, solo or with an ensemble of one
sort or another. Another main benefit is
the positive academic consistency.
Research has
shown from Japan that children who were exposed to music early in one form or
another develop self-confidence or
develop a stronger sense of self thus transferring
positively into academic
performance. As for me, I have seen
similar results with my students over the years where good academic performance
achieved by those who seriously engage in the learning of music. 
Therefore, parents are encouraged to make the
sacrifice in getting their child involved in music. Research cannot be wrong about the benefits
and results good music has on children.
The recorder was the starter instrument of a very famous musician from
the Third World Band. He has transitioned
to his now chosen instrument, which is the guitar although had become a cello
player.
As stated earlier, the recorder is a good starter
instrument in music. The benefits are clear. Most of all, it is very affordable too! Let us encourage all primary students to use
it and let us hope that the powers that be put better infrastructure to improve
the current primary education music programme.
Let the recorder play!
