The recorder — more than just a glorified whistle?

Social media has no shortage of people posting ill-informed, attention-seeking click-bait. Today, I saw one about learning to play the recorder as a child.

"I'm so glad I was taught how to play the recorder at school. It has come in really handy in adult life, Lost [sic] count of the times I've resolved a difficult situation with a quick blast of three blind mice." — anonymous meme

Naturally, many parents instinctively grab for the earplugs when they think about their enthusiastic young children clutching the glorified whistle. But rather than feed the trolls, I decided to make a list of the benefits of learning how to play a recorder instead of giving in to the trolls by leaving a comment on their posts.

1. The obvious reason

A child can improve their rhythm, pitch, and melodic skills by learning to play the recorder. These abilities can improve their capacity for expression, creativity, and musical appreciation. They might end up serving as a starting point for learning how to play other instruments. Engaging in musical activities can also foster a child's appreciation of art and cultural knowledge. They can be taught to value the beauty and diversity of music from many origins, genres, and styles. Through music, they can also convey their own identities and morals.

2. Improved cognitive abilities

Playing the recorder can also improve a child's cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. Learning to read music, follow instructions, and practice regularly can boost their brain power and academic performance. Cognitive skills help children to understand the relationships between ideas, to grasp the process of cause and effect, and to improve their analytical skills. These skills can enhance their creativity and expression.

3. Improved social skills

Playing in a group, performing for others, and receiving feedback can help them overcome shyness, becoming freer and more confident in expressing themselves, make friends and develop empathy and social awareness for other people’s needs, and cope with stress. Social skills are essential for personal and professional success in adulthood. Therefore, it is important to help children develop and practice their social skills from an early age.

4. Boosting confidence

Compared to most musical instruments, the recorder is simple to learn. The sense of achievement gained from each step to success will make a child feel more confident and capable.

5. Improved motor skills and coordination

Playing a musical instrument can enhance a child's physical skills such as coordination, dexterity, and motor control. These skills can help them perform various tasks and activities with ease and precision.

Of course, many children will give-up on learning to play the recorder. And that’s fine too. Knowing when to walk away from something which isn’t working for you is also, and then having the confidence to do so, can be an important life skill too.

But parents, earplugs are important too!