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Original poster

What age child can blow into recorder?

38 replies

Goostacean · 02/01/2021 18:34

Can’t find any info online: at what age would you expect a child to be able to consistently blow a note on a recorder? I don’t mean a specific note, I mean generally any note rather than just a dud noise.

OP posts:
Margo34 · 02/01/2021 18:35

Age 7.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 02/01/2021 18:37

No child would be doing this in my house - awful noise.

Original poster
Goostacean · 02/01/2021 18:37

Grin That’s a whole separate issue!

But 7?? Really? To just be able to blow into it and get any note out?

OP posts:
Margo34 · 02/01/2021 18:40

To blow and get any note out, younger probably. But you said consistently so, 7. OK, 7-8.

TicTacTwo · 02/01/2021 18:41

We learned in 1st years junior (y3) so I think 7 is reasonable to play a tune.

Enidblyton1 · 02/01/2021 18:41

At school last year there were a few 6 year olds (year 2) who could play simple tunes well. I wouldn’t start a child playing younger unless they showed particular aptitude.

Noteventhebestdrummer · 02/01/2021 18:41

I've taught whole class Y2 recorder, they all got to Jingle Bells by Christmas having started in September. I reckon most 4/5s could also do it fine.

Mind you, I teach 3 year olds the violin and that's much harder! I just haven't had the desire to teach recorder to little ones.

freakyfairy · 02/01/2021 18:42

My dd started the tin whistle at age 6 do presume it's the same.

LubaLuca · 02/01/2021 18:43

You have to wait until they have a degree in music before they're let loose with a recorder.

Really though, I'd say a 5 year old would be able to play a note consistently.

Original poster
Goostacean · 02/01/2021 18:44

No no, sorry, I think I’ve not been clear. I mean literally to blow and get a noise/note. Not a tune, not covering the holes (whatever they’re called... can you tell how musical I am??). I mean just the blowing action and adjusting it to make a noise once they’ve realised the recorder can do that. So, I read that 2 year olds can typically blow out birthday candles- but no help with the specific example of the instrument. (Sorry!)

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 02/01/2021 18:49

I had lessons at 6, moved on to flute a few years later.
DD’s school used to do recorder lessons in Y2, so age 6/7.

BobVance · 02/01/2021 18:49

My 16m old has been able to blow into a recorder and horn and produce a noise for a few months now. Is that what you mean?

RoundTheTwister · 02/01/2021 18:50

My 3 year old has a penny whistle which works the same as a recorder. She could blow in it and get a (horrific) noise out of it at just turned 2 when she got it. I could have killed my husband for giving it to her 🙄

Maxamill · 02/01/2021 18:57

My 10 month old knows to blow into a recorder to make a sound..
How come you ask OP?

Camomila · 02/01/2021 19:07

DS1 could play a couple of notes (as opposed to sounds) at 3.

I play the flute though so could explain what to do.

ChooChooCho · 02/01/2021 19:09

If you mean just blow into it to make a sound, my 20 month old can. Never tried before this week so don't know how much younger

minniemoll · 02/01/2021 19:11

I learnt to play the recorder the first day I started primary school, aged four and a half, and think I picked it up pretty quickly - I started in January and the kids who'd started in September had already learnt, so I just copied them. I still play for my own entertainment 46 years later!

Original poster
Goostacean · 02/01/2021 19:34

@BobVance

My 16m old has been able to blow into a recorder and horn and produce a noise for a few months now. Is that what you mean?
Yes that’s what I mean! Thanks. I’m just asking because my one year old (coming up to 13mo) has picked it up and I was wondering whether that was about right developmentally. Sounds like it is, which is reassuring! Really hard these days to gauge everything with their development as we don’t see any other babies... Hmm
OP posts:
Lessstressedhemum · 02/01/2021 19:42

My son could blow into one by about 12 months and play simple tunes by 4. By 7 he could play Mozart and chamber music, so some of the above comments surprise me a bit. Even my least musical child could play tunes by then.

NoSquirrels · 02/01/2021 19:48

After about 12 months? But most sensible parents make sure they can’t have access to any whistles, recorders or other blowing noise-makers at that age to save their own sanity! Grin

Knittingnanny · 02/01/2021 20:00

At least 7, to learn how to breathe not blow into it, use the tongue and coordinate covering holes to make the different notes.

BackforGood · 02/01/2021 20:07

Hmmm. It's not really a 'usual' measure.
Generally, folk don't offer recorders to babies, so 99% of parents wouldn't know.

Original poster
Goostacean · 02/01/2021 20:18

That really made me laugh Grin

OP posts:
GypsyLee · 02/01/2021 20:35

I started at 6 and then started clarinet at 9 and sax at 10.

quilbertandgullivan · 02/01/2021 20:38

My just turned 1yo can blow into a recorder. I'm pretty sure he could have done it earlier, though. Like, just blowing?!

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