What is the difference between a flute and a recorder?

Answer 1

I will try to make this short. I play flute, piccolo, renaissance flute, sopranino, tenor recorder and soprano recorder.

playing position: recorder is at a 45-degree angle to the front of the body; in a vertical position though. flutes are played anywhere from a 45-degree to 100- degree angle depending on what produces the best tone; no matter what in a horizontial position off to the side.

hand position: with both instruments the left hand is closest to the mouth piece or head joint. in other words the left hand basically controls the "higher" notes meaning G-upper C. the right hand controls "F# down to low C."

Notes: With a recorder there are 9 holes (8 on the front and one on the back for the thumb) that number also depends on the style of recorder. With a flute and piccolo there are 19 movable keys. they are controlled by springs, screws and other mechanisms. With a flute they are 3 different posible keys to buy in. soprano flute (normal) which is a C-instrument. The bass is also in C. The alto flute is in the key of G. then there are also piccolos in the key of D-flat. Recorders only come in two different keys C and G. the sopranino is in G. the rest are in C.

Producing sound: This is where the most difference is. With a recorder the mouth piece sits on the lips and for some they prefer inside the lips. the sound is produced when the air passes the "blow hole" (the first opening before the holes). The notes are produced when the air that makes it past that first opening can escape out of the left over openings. Also half holes are used. With the flute half the air just goes over there the air hole. the rest of the air has to vibrate in the "barrel" (where the head joint meets the middle joint) in order to produce a sound. Then after that the notes are produced by escaping through the open key holes like the recorder. But there is no half holes only different finger patterns.

Range: A student flute can only do low c to high B-natural. A span of almost 3 octaves THe more advanced can do low b-natural to high d; over 3 octaves. With all recorders they can only do middle C or g, depending on what key they are made in, to high A. c,d,e,f,g,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,a. 1.5 octaves.

Price too...flutes $250-10000. recorders $5-400.

Hope this helps you explain the difference. if you have any questions just email me.

Answer 2

Well, Clarinets are more like a recorder then a flute because it's held the same way, so it would be easier for you to learn. Flutes take a lot of air to play them and are high pitched but clarinets are more deep sounding. Neither of them are hard to learn but the first few times you play you'll feel light headed.

Answer 3

A recorder uses holes to change the notes, a flute uses valves. You also have a greater range of notes on a flute than you do with a recorder.

Answer 4

With a recorder the air sound stream is made for you. You just blow into pre shaped mouthpiece and a sound is produced.

With a flute it is you who are actually a part of the mouthpiece because you make the shape of the airstream. You make the airstream with your lips and you direct it onto a precise spot on the blowing edge. You could say you are part of the flute itself.

Answer 5

.A recorder is a plastic type of instrument (usually black) that is held in the position a clarinet or saxophone would be held. Generally small children enjoy learning this in school. A flute is made of precious metals and held underneath your lip with the arms extended to the side. Each instrument produces different sounds and resonance

Answer 6

You position your lips different, you hold the instrument differently, and the notes are different. In fact, they are 2 completely different instruments. A recorder you blow into the end and hold vertically. A flute you blow into the top end and hold horizontally.

Answer 7

You play a recorder by blowing into the opening, you put it in your mouth.
You play a flute by blowing across the opening, you don't put it in your mouth.

Answer 8

A recorder is played like a clarinet (vertically) and looks like one too. A flute is played horizontally.

Answer 9

a recorder is played pointing downward and a flute is played to the side

Answer 10

A flute is blown into from the side, and has mechanical valves

A recorder has seven holes and is blown into from the top.

Both have very different sounds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flute