Music is something most of us, if not all, loves to listen to. However, only a few of us knows how to play musical instrument. Nonetheless, the skill of playing musical instruments can be learned-and one of the simplest ways to learn how to play different types of instruments is through the use of recorders. Used by music prodigies like Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, and Johann Sebastian Bach, these woodwinds are popularly used today by little children and neophytes who are just beginning to learn the basics of music.

Usually made of wood and ivory, and later of plastic, a recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the fipple, or whistle flute class. It is also part of the internal duct flute family which also includes the flute and the clarinet. Recorders are made up of seven finger holes and a thumb hole to be manipulated by the thumb of whichever hand is placed higher than the instrument. It is long and narrows towards one end. These musical instruments are also popularly known as English Flutes.

Recorders where popularly used in the medieval times and throughout the baroque period. Music is produce through these musical instruments by blowing wind into them and against an edge called the labium. While the player blows wind into the mouthpiece, he/she also opens and/or closes the finger holes. These combinations of movements create the notes, and hence, the music. Quite inexpensive and easy to play, these woodwind instruments are popularly seen today in music schools and are used to teach beginners or amateurs on the basics of music.

There generally are five types of recorders: sopranino, descant, treble, tenor, and bass. The sopranino is the smallest types of recorder with its approximate measurement at 24 cm. The descant, on the other hand, is usually about 12 inches long and produces a soprano voice quality. It also is among the most popular type of these musical instruments. Bass recorders, alternatively, are the largest with their approximate size of 94 cm that they feature an extra metal tube to blow into so that the player can reach the finger holes.

A high quality recorder can often be determined from the type of material used in its manufacture. Those made from hardwoods such as maple, pear wood, rosewood, granadilla, and boxwood with a block of red cedar wood are considered higher quality recorders and are preferred by professionals as they produce a much mellower sound quality. Nonetheless, recorders are also now being manufactured from plastic. Those made from this material are often cheaper and require less maintenance. Though with a lower quality than those made from hardwoods, the quality of sound produced by plastic recorders is, nonetheless, equal to or better than lower-end wooden instruments.

Recorders are indeed excellent musical instruments to invest on. Requiring very little maintenance and can be cleaned easily, these items are sure to make a beautiful and mellow sound that is not nearly as hard on the ears as a beginner may create with a trumpet or a violin. They also would allow children and amateur players to become professionals in no time.

Jean Francois is a high school music teacher from Germany. To teach music to his students who are just beginning to learn the basics of music, teacher Jean uses a recorder, a type of music instrument that is also known as “Moeck Blockfloete” in German.

Sophia Anastasia made her solo debut in concert at Carnegie Hall in 1999. She is a concert, solo, chamber and orchestral flutist. Reining out of New York, she has gained great respect in the metropolitan area. Her reputation has made her a very sought after teacher. Sophia recently received a Doctoral degree. She truly has focused on her career and become a shining example of what anyone can achieve.

What some people have shared with us about Sophia:

Her vast experience and confidence make her flute ring with rich vibrant tones. She always knows her lines which helps the music flow from her flute as she articulates each note. Her aura will captivate you as she flawlessly cranks out her flute sounds to the cadence.

- Andrea Harris, Marketing Director

Ms. Anastasia is without a doubt an incredible musician and flautist. Her professionalism is obvious. She helps everyone in her environment become better player. Her ability to play the flute is huge and her clarity and tone quality are underpasses. Her tech technique and presents make her a giant with a flute in her hand. Her creative power is demanding and won’t let your ears go.

- Andrea Harris, Marketing Director

A performance of Arthur Foote’s “A Night Piece,” a performance of Bach’s B Minor Suite with the Montclair Chamber Orchestra and a solo performance at the Trinity Church in New York, as part of their Concerts at One music series. Sophia has also performed a solo recital at the Chicago Cultural Center as part of the International Music Foundation’s Dame Myra Hess Concert Series. the recital with the Shanghai String Quartet at the Tree Tops Chamber Music Series, the performance of Vivaldi’s Piccolo Concerto in C with the Montclair Chamber Ensemble, a chamber music concert at the Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival with flutist Linda Chesis, a solo performance with the Orchestra of the Bronx, a solo performance at Merkin Concert Hall of the music of Jed Feuer are just some of the performances she is noted for. Sophia performed her newly commissioned work Xynoglyko by Gary Schocker at the National Flute Association Convention in Washington, DC in August of 2002. During that month she was featured on Chicago’s WFMT radio in an interview about her new CD, Musing and the various commissioned pieces on the disc.

the Orchestra of the Bronx, the Harmonia Opera Company, the School of American Ballet in Lincoln Center and the Westfield Symphon, The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, the Montclair Chamber Orchestra, the Bronx Opera Orchestra are counted as Orchestral Affiliations of Sophia.

Sophia has played all over the New York area taking her well established abilities with her. Sophia’s articulation and commitment lend her to continually excel. The tone quality of her flute will move you in whatever way she sees fit and here musical visions are desirable.

The Tree Tops Chamber Music Series in Greenwich, CT, the Poetica Ensemble of Greek Folk Music in NYC and New Jersey Chamber Music Society in NJ. are some of Sophia’s many Chamber Music Affiliations.

Sophia has many Chamber Music Affiliations to include the Tree Tops Chamber Music Series in Greenwich, CT, the Poetica Ensemble of Greek Folk Music in NYC and New Jersey Chamber Music Society in NJ.

Sophia’s on-line presents does not seem to include any free Contemporary jazz flute downloads, her stellar flautist skills cannot be denied and she is a great contemporary jazz Flautist.

If you want to review a flute CD, go to Richard Browns Dreams .

The flute, an instrument of the horn family, makes sounds out of air and pitch. The flute nowadays is approximately 26 inches from end to end and the inside is about 3/4″ in diameter. The horn of the flute is open to produce a harmony like no other instrument. The sound that comes out is made by the players lip formation and the air that moves through the cylinder.

The flute consists of a collection of 16 exposures, of which 11 are held and let go to change the note. The other 5 can be triggered by the placement setting of the fingers and left thumb. Therefore, a establishment of home positions for specific fingers is taught; the musician just moves the fingers down the body of the flute to produce different sounds.

The flute’s sound is possible by air hitting a sharp edge. The air is then compressed inside the body of the flute and a vibration occurs. This air then gets pitched and changed through the use of opening and closing holes. Flutes are typically made of either silver or wood depending upon the natives playing the flute.

A sister instrument, the recorder, looks similar and makes sounds with air but through a elongated piece of wood where the blow piece is on the top. The recorder is said to be less effective because with the flute, the player has control over the direction that the air from the player’s lips hits the mouthpiece; this dictates the pitch and sound that comes from the flute. This positioning of the mouthpiece allows a flute player to stretch notes out, fine tune sounds, and get a greater range of volume and melody. In addition, the mouthpiece on a flute helps the musician not to over-blow of the air movement. Over-blowing occurs when one attempts to achieve higher notes by changing octave levels with the air through valve. It is challenging for someone to position their lips and increase air flow to reach this octave, and so, a flute is extremely versatile.

A flute can also change tone via the side channels. By shortening the length of the air frequency and raising the frequency of the open air channel, one can produce much higher notes. This is achieved by raising the harmonic one level from the home finger spots. The pitch can also be controlled by aiming air down into the hole or aiming air upwards. This is also changed by the distance of the player’s lips on the mouthpiece.

No matter what flute is in use, the listeners can be ready for a crisp, clean, and joyous sound. Flutes can be included in any rhythm and usually are seen at a concert or musical. Flutes in the music world date back to the times of orchestras and have been further developed along the years to become better and produce better sounds. Like several instruments, flutes differ in design and manufacturer. Due to the difference of brands made available through retailers, flutes vary in cost. The top end flutes made for concert play can cost a few hundred dollars. Basic flutes typically begin at $50 or so and are great for someone that is learning.