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The best apps for learning to play the recorder – our overview
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The recorder is one of the most interesting instruments, and is often a good choice for children and young people. Because of that, the recorder can be a great entry-point into the musical world, and contributes to the teaching of tact and music theory. Many musicians attend a music school for this purpose or take private lessons from music teachers, but apps are also an exciting, modern way to learn the recorder digitally. But which apps are specifically suitable for the recorder and what do you have to pay attention to when practicing?
What makes the recorder so special as a musical instrument
The recorder is an extremely versatile and exciting woodwind instrument. Depending on the size of the recorder, it is also suitable for children and young people to get closer to music step by step. The instruments themselves differ in terms of their fundamental tones as well as their lengths and frequencies. But it's not just the range of functions and pitches that makes the instrument so special. The instrument’s unique story also contributes to this effect.
The recorder has been able to establish itself since the Middle Ages. It was also held in high esteem during the Renaissance, which made the instrument a welcome guest in aristocratic bands. While the recorder is very traditional, it has continued to change over the past few centuries. The recorder today consists of three parts that are put together to form a single instrument. While the recorder used to be much simpler, the head joint, middle joint and foot joint are now commonplace.
This is what matters when learning to play the recorder
While digital forms of learning (like apps) have developed quite quickly for many instruments, this has not been the case with the recorder. Even today, there are still few apps and programs that make learning this instrument easier for younger musicians. Nevertheless, slowly but surely new and dynamic opportunities are emerging to help learners make progress outside of music schools. Though, in addition to playing the recorder digitally, there are many aspects that are important for practicing.
Similar to the piano and guitar, the recorder requires regular practice. This is the only way that the processes for playing can be consolidated quickly without encountering difficulties with the application. On the other hand, if you only practice in music school, you will probably have to wait a long time for your first successes with the recorder. In addition, we recommend setting exactly the right accents both analogously and via the app. It is best to choose pieces that also interest you personally and that adapt to your expectations. This also makes learning the recorder much easier.
The exciting project Classplash to learn the recorder
Before we get into the best apps for the recorder, we would like to draw your attention to a very exciting development. Classplash was founded in 2017 by two brothers as a recorder start-up to rethink music education. The two presented their product on the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen” (“The Lion's Den”) and thus secured more attention. Even without a deal, the start-up managed to develop a modern app for the recorder in order to receive digital feedback for analogue playing. The Flute Master app, which was created on the basis of many years of hard work, is presented to you in more detail in our list of recorder apps.
The most popular tablet apps for learning to play the recorder
Even if there aren't many apps for learning the recorder yet, we've gone on a search for you. Most apps are aimed primarily at beginners so that they can play the first sequences of notes with the recorder. One of the advantages is that the programs can usually be installed directly on the tablet or smartphone. So you always have your app for the recorder with you and learn to play even more flexibly. The following apps can help you with this:
Flute Master
With Flute Master you will learn to play the recorder in a playful way. Flute Master as an app for the recorder is ideal for private learning as well as for use by music teachers. A free version is available for testing so that you can then devote yourself to the more than 30 integrated pieces with your flute.
tonestro
Woodwind and brass learning app tonestro follows a concept similar to that of Flute Master. In the app, both as a beginner and with more experience, you have the chance to improve your skills with live feedback from a music teacher. Other exercises are also integrated in the tonestro recorder app right from the start. With additional challenges each week, you stay playfully on the ball.
Blockflöte TV
If you are looking for an app for recorder theory, the app from Blockflöte TV is the right choice. Rather than simply reading boring texts, it provides precise examples, PDFs and videos, so that nothing stands in the way of a quick incorporation of new pieces. The Blockflöte TV app is certainly worthwhile for your instrument and for your progress.
Online courses are also suitable for learning the recorder digitally
Apps to learn the recorder are an exciting choice, but should not replace lessons in music school. If you are not interested in attending a music school, there are good alternatives these days. More and more providers are switching to digital lessons for instruments such as the recorder. This can also help you to find more time to play the recorder while getting valuable feedback.
If you want to learn without any time pressure and stress, you can also use courses that are already ready and fully usable. These are often divided into lessons and allow you to easily implement the most important tasks. This also includes learning new pieces, which become more challenging as you gain experience. If you are interested in exciting feedback at the same time, individual lessons with real teachers are of course also available. Many interactive online courses work in a similar way to recorder apps.
Why apps and digital programs usually only help as a supplement
As mentioned above, apps for the recorder can be very helpful and increase motivation, especially for children and young people. However, especially in the field of recorder apps, there are not yet so many functions available that the app can replace classic lessons. Therefore, we naturally recommend that you also integrate digital elements into the learning process and thus ensure an exciting learning process. The more fun the little ones have in dealing with new instruments, the more likely they are to find the necessary long-term motivation. Of course, this also applies to apps for other instruments such as the guitar or for playing the piano.
This is how you choose the right app for active learning
Not only directly for recorder learning apps, but also for other instruments, the first choice is not always the best. For this reason, we recommend that you first take a closer look at the respective descriptions and check the range of functions more closely. With many apps for the recorder you will also find an age recommendation that can serve as a guide for you. For example, if an app is only recommended from the age of eight, four-year-old children should look for other alternatives. These can also be found on most instruments.
We also recommend that you first test the free versions of these recorder apps. This helps you to create the right learning environment and at the same time to check whether the preparation of the functions makes sense. If the design and scope of the app are convincing, then nothing stands in the way of purchasing the full version. A subscription model is also available for many apps for common musical instruments, which is why a comparison is always worthwhile from your point of view.
Learn about the best recorder learning strategies now!
Would you like to benefit from modern and practical apps yourself? Then we would be happy to help you find exactly the right offers. With our featured apps, only a few clicks separate you from practicing digitally with real feedback. If you also want to exchange ideas with other users, you can do so here at mukken at any time. Our contact ads for musicians bring you together with many experts from all industries and areas. At this point we look forward to connecting you musically with us!
Originally published on May 9, 2022, updated on May 9, 2022
Main topic: Billie Eilish and the tragic
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