why you were forced to learn the recorder in school

Summary

In this engaging video, the creator embarks on a humorous and reflective journey to master the recorder, an instrument they struggled with in childhood. With a self-imposed challenge to earn a 'black belt' in Recorder Karate, they delve into the instrument's rich history, learn from a professional musician, and discover the recorder's true potential beyond school memories. Alongside, Grammarly's sponsorship highlights the parallels between mastering writing and music, emphasizing personal growth and overcoming past insecurities.

Takeaways

• 🎼 The narrator has struggled with playing the recorder for 14 years and is now determined to master it.
• 📚 The recorder has a rich history, with famous composers writing solos for it during the Baroque period.
• 📉 The recorder was sidelined by the transverse flute but experienced a resurgence in the 20th century.
• 🎓 Carl Orff's music education approach popularized the recorder in schools, though he initially preferred the African marimba.
• 🎵 The affordability of the recorder, especially the plastic versions, made it accessible for school children worldwide.
• 🎷 The recorder's affordability can be traced back to its use by the Hitler Youth, which led to mass production.
• 🎼 The narrator attempts to earn a 'black belt' in Recorder Karate, a program with increasing difficulty levels.
• 🎶 The recorder comes in various sizes, each with a different range and sound quality, contributing to its versatility.
• 🎵 Professional recorder players, like Alison Melville, can demonstrate the instrument's full potential, contrary to common misconceptions.
• 🎶 The material of the recorder affects its sound, with wooden recorders generally producing a richer tone.
• 🎉 The narrator's journey with the recorder culminates in a successful performance and the achievement of a 'black belt', symbolizing personal growth and overcoming past failures.

Q & A

How long has the speaker had their recorder?

The speaker has had their recorder for 14 years.

What is the speaker's initial attitude towards the recorder?

The speaker initially finds the recorder difficult to play and is frustrated with its sound, even considering it a symbol of their failure in music.

What is 'Recorder Karate'?

'Recorder Karate' is a program with nine songs of increasing difficulty where learners earn belts as they progress, similar to martial arts.

Why does the speaker decide to learn the recorder as an adult?

The speaker decides to learn the recorder to overcome their past excuses and to finally master an instrument they struggled with in school.

How does the speaker plan to improve their recorder skills within a week?

The speaker plans to immerse themselves in the history of the recorder, learn from a professional musician, and practice intensively to earn their black belt in Recorder Karate.

What does the speaker discover about the recorder's history?

The speaker discovers that the recorder was mainstream during the Baroque period, was sidelined by the transverse flute, and later popularized in schools due to Carl Orff's music education approach.

Why was the recorder initially chosen for Carl Orff's music education method?

The recorder was chosen because Carl Orff originally wanted to use the African marimba but couldn't mass-produce it with Western tuning, so he was advised to use the recorder instead.

How did the recorder become affordable for schools?

The recorder became affordable due to mass production in Germany and later in England and Japan, which made it accessible for schools.

What is Grammarly, and how does it help the speaker?

Grammarly is a writing assistance tool that helps the speaker improve their writing by offering suggestions for grammatical correctness, clarity, engagement, and delivery.

How does the speaker's perception of the recorder change over the course of the script?

The speaker's perception changes from viewing the recorder as a frustrating and simple instrument to recognizing its potential as a tool for musical exploration and education, and appreciating its sound when played well.

What advice does Alison Melville, a professional recorder musician, give to the speaker about playing the recorder?

Alison advises the speaker to breathe properly before starting to play, to maintain a steady airflow while playing notes, and to use tonguing for better articulation.

How does the experience of playing the recorder together with Alison impact the speaker?

Playing the recorder together with Alison is a freeing and joyful experience for the speaker, helping them overcome feelings of shame about their musical abilities and encouraging them to continue practicing.