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	About the Recorder
	It is quite possible that you studied the soprano recorder as a child. Due to its popularity as a classroom instrument in the last several decades, the recorder (especially the soprano recorder) is often stereotyped as a shrill and shrieking whistle which is inexpensive and easy to play, or rather, easy to play badly. It has even been referred to as "the original ill wind that nobody blows good". However, the recorder is not just a toy or a classroom tool. It is a true musical instrument with unique performance challenges, an extensive literature, and a long and interesting history.      The recorder was a popular consort instrument in the Renaissance period (c. 1430-1600). Instruments came in many sizes, from tiny garkleins to enormous greatbasses. The four most frequently used sizes were soprano (C''), alto (F'), tenor (C'), and bass (F). As time went on and consort playing went out of vogue, many recorder sizes became obsolete.      In spite of the decline of consort playing, during the Baroque Era (c. 1600-1750) the alto recorder was highly valued as a solo instrument, superseding in popularity even the transverse flute. Baroque composers such as Handel and Telemann wrote music for the solo recorder, sometimes "with continuo", meaning that accompaniment was provided by a bass instrument (such as a cello) and a keyboard instrument (such as a harpsichord).      However, with the rising prevalence of its cousin the transverse flute, the less pretentious recorder eventually fell out of fashion, and was not rediscovered until the early 1900's. Famous twentieth century performers included the Trapp Family Singers, whose story has been made famous by the movie, "The Sound of Music".     Whether playful or solemn, festive or subdued, plaintive or intense, the timeless beauty of the recorder is a welcome musical addition to special gatherings.
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