Young Learners - Flute or Recorder?

For young learners, there really is no better instrument than the recorder. It is a good size for small hands and easy to make a decent sound from. It provides almost instant satisfaction. I recommend recorder for learners aged 4-6 to give them confidence in producing a musical sound, and for them to really grasp the basics of musicianship before we transfer those skills to flute.

If your child is excited about learning the flute, that's fantastic! However, I don't recommend learners start with the flute much before their seventh birthday, simply due to their size and stamina. The flute is a long instrument, and whilst some models come with a curved head joint to shorten the reach of the instrument, I prefer students to wait until they can hold the instrument comfortably. This also prevents you needing to spend more than necessary on an instrument. The challenges of a young learner are discussed in more detail below.

THE LENGTH OF THE INSTRUMENT:
To play the flute comfortably, a child needs to have arms long enough to hold it out to the side without straining their back, neck, or head. If their reach isn't quite there yet, it can lead to both physical discomfort and technical difficulties. These issues might not be noticeable right away, but over time, they can become ingrained habits that are tough to undo.

THE WEIGHT OF THE FLUTE:
While a flute may seem light to us, holding it out to the side for extended periods can feel much heavier for a small child. This extra weight can lead to physical strain and difficulty maintaining proper posture, which can affect their playing experience.

FRAGILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT:
Flutes are delicate instruments with intricate mechanisms. Young children may not yet have the coordination to handle them gently, and a damaged flute can be frustrating to play. If a child struggles to produce a clear sound, they may think it's their fault rather than a mechanical issue with the flute, potentially leading them to feel like the instrument isn't the right fit.

If your child is eager to start the flute but they're not yet big enough, I can start to teach finger positioning, posture, and embouchure (mouth position) on a Toot, a hybrid between a recorder and a traditional flute. Toots are relatively inexpensive and are designed to be played in a similar way to the flute, and are therefore a great transitional instrument. The fife is also a great transitional instrument between recorder and flute.

Your child's interest in their instrument is one of the most important factors in their willingness to learn and practice. I want them to feel empowered by making a great sound, playing recognisable songs, and understanding the music in front of them. The last thing we want to do to a new learner is take away their confidence in their own ability by rushing them to play an instrument that they are not yet physically ready for. By starting with recorder, and transitioning to the Toot or fife, we are setting them up for great success with flute, and they will make great strides once they move onto their first proper flute.

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