Like most people, I can bet you think the Flute and recorder are the same. They are not, albeit they are classified under the same family of windless musical instruments. They are distinct in their shape and how they are held or played.
However, the most distinctive feature or difference is that you must learn to play the recorder first before you can begin to play the Flute. Therefore, the Flute is a superior musical instrument to the recorder.
But what are the pros and cons of having a Flute vs Recorder? Read below to find out.
Better Quality Sound
As stated above, the Flute is superior to the recorder. Therefore, you stand a chance to make quality musical sounds with a flute rather than a recorder. For this reason, you will find flutes being used during a live musical performance, while a recorder will have its place in an elementary music class.
The Flute has a better volume and sound range than the recorder since it is made from metal instead of wood. So, if you want to produce high-quality sounds or music, invest in a Flute.
Better Tonal Control
The Flute does not have a wedge to split the blown air compared to the recorder. Thus, it gives you more control of how much air you blow, creating different tonal variations of high quality. That is also beneficial since you can make better musical sounds than when you use a recorder.
When playing the Flute, blown air moves across an open hole, and the angle at which the air hits the holes will activate the instrument’s acoustics producing sound in the process. On the other hand, when using a recorder, the blown air hits the labium, splitting into two, activating the instrument’s acoustics producing sound in the process.
Ease of Correcting Intonation Changes
The Flute is better than the recorder when it comes to controlling the intonation. While you can control or correct the dynamics of your tone when using a recorder by blowing hard or soft, when using a flute, you will only need to adjust the embouchure up or down to your most comfortable level. For this reason, the Flute has become the standard choice for both chamber and orchestral music.
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An Uncomfortable Playing Position
Nothing is always perfect, and that is the case for the Flute. It has an uncomfortable playing position compared to the recorder. While the recorder is played vertically in a straight position, the Flute’s position is asymmetrical from the mouth to the shoulder.
Playing the Flute in that position is risky for amateurs as it can cause injuries or pain to the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
Recorder’s Size and Price Is Better
Another con and where the Flute becomes a liability is size. A standard flute comes in at 24-26 inches. Contrarily, the recorder has a standard length of 12 inches. Thus, if you consider the ease of carrying, the recorder is better as you can carry it even in your handbag or duffle bag.
Moreover, the Flute’s sophistication makes it pricey compared to the recorder. Depending on the features, an average flute costs between $500 and $2000, while a recorder will cost between $5 and $30.
