My recorder sounds sick! / Beginner Recorder Technique: How to Clean Your Recorder

Summary

This tutorial walks through the process of cleaning a recorder after extended use, offering practical tips for both beginners and experienced players. It explains how to remove moisture from the instrument, use a cleaning rod with a cloth, and clean each section of the recorder, including the mouthpiece and tailpiece. The video also demonstrates how to wash a plastic recorder with warm soapy water, ensuring it is fully dried afterward. For wooden recorders, the video advises air-drying and highlights the importance of adult supervision, along with a recommendation to check out a separate video on cleaning wooden instruments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proper maintenance of your recorder is essential after extended use, especially after about 20 lessons.
• 💧 If your recorder feels wet inside and sounds 'sck', you may need to clean it.
• 💨 You can blow out excess moisture by sticking your finger into the window and blowing hard.
• 🌊 If water starts dripping from the bottom of the recorder, it's a sign it's time to clean it.
• 🧽 A cleaning rod with a cloth can help clean the inside of the recorder. You can use a piece of old t-shirt for this purpose.
• 🪶 Be gentle when cleaning the mouthpiece to avoid damaging it.
• 🧼 Plastic recorders can be washed in warm soapy water for a more thorough cleaning.
• ⏱ When washing, disassemble the recorder into three parts: head joint, body joint, and foot joint, and leave them in the soapy water for 10 minutes.
• 🧴 After washing, dry the parts externally and use a cleaning rod with a cloth to dry the inside.
• 🧦 A sock can be used instead of a cloth if needed, and a pen or knitting needle can replace a cleaning rod if necessary.
• 🌳 Wooden recorders should not be washed with water. Instead, let them air dry, and consult expert resources like Sarah Jeffrey's video for detailed care instructions.

Q & A

What is the first step to clean a recorder after 20 lessons?

The first step is to blow out the moisture inside the recorder by sticking your finger into the window and blowing hard.

What should you do if water starts dripping from the bottom of the recorder?

If water is dripping out of the bottom, it is time to clean your recorder using the cleaning rod and cloth.

What equipment is recommended to clean the inside of the recorder?

You will need a cleaning rod and a cloth. You can use an old t-shirt, cut into a piece, and attach it to the cleaning rod.

How should the cleaning rod be used inside the recorder?

Insert the cleaning rod gently inside the recorder, moving it back and forth to wipe the inside clean.

Can a recorder be washed in soapy water?

Yes, plastic recorders can be washed in warm soapy water. Make sure to take the recorder apart before washing, leaving the parts in the water for 10 minutes.

How should the recorder be dried after washing it in soapy water?

After washing, dry the parts of the recorder on the outside, and then use the cleaning rod and cloth to dry the inside.

What alternative cleaning methods does Sarah Jeffrey suggest if a recorder doesn’t come with a cleaning rod?

Sarah Jeffrey suggests using a sock and a pen or knitting needle as alternatives to a cleaning rod.

What special care should be taken when cleaning a wooden recorder?

Wooden recorders should never be washed in water. Instead, they should be left to air dry, and you should watch Sarah Jeffrey’s video on cleaning and polishing wooden recorders for guidance.

What is the recommended duration for soaking a plastic recorder in soapy water?

A plastic recorder should be soaked in warm soapy water for 10 minutes.

Why should you be careful when cleaning the mouthpiece of the recorder?

You should be careful not to hit the top of the mouthpiece too hard while cleaning it. Gently wipe it in and out to avoid damage.