Recorder vs. Flutophone (What’s The Difference?)

If you have been wondering if flutophones and recorders are the same instrument, the answer is no, they are not the same instrument.

They are, in fact, recognized as being two different kinds of instruments, though the reality is that they are very similar.

The simplest way for you to be able to make the distinction between these two types of instruments is to view the end of the instruments and the holes for the fingers.

The main difference between the flutophone and recorder is the shape. Flutophones have flared ends, while the recorder is straight.

In such cases where there are finger holes that are raised, then the instrument is almost definitely a flutophone.

But when there is the presence of holes that are drilled and not raised, then the instrument is probably a recorder.

Table of Contents

• What Are the Differences Between Recorders and Flutophones?
  • Tone
  • Notes
• Which is Better to Teach: Recorder or Flutophone?
• What Are the Similarities Between Recorders and Flutophones?
• Is a Recorder or a Flutophone Easier to Play?
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What Are the Differences Between Recorders and Flutophones?

The flutophone is easier to play, due to the fact that there is no need for as much control of air as when playing the recorder.

The recorder takes more control and a higher level of force in order to make the instrument function as it should.

Tone

A flutophone doesn’t have what you might call a “refined” tone, as a result of the mouthpiece being much like a whistle. This factor contributes to the instrument sometimes having a sound that seems to be shrill.

On the other hand, the recorder is associated with a tone that is softer, which is more applicable for the quality of a concert or band.

Notes

Moreover, the flutophone is not equipped to be able to accommodate the playing of as many notes as a recorder is. The impressive thing about the small recorder is that it is equipped to be able to play all kinds of musical notes.

Speaking of all those musical notes, if you’re making your first recorder or flutophone purchase, it’s a good idea to scoop up one of these wind-instrument-focused tuners as well. Recorders can sometimes require tuning adjustments to the holes, which can be carried out by a handy expert. If you suspect something is out of whack with your recorder’s tune, one of these will help you confirm whether you’re on to something.

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Which is Better to Teach: Recorder or Flutophone?

Recorders are often regarded as the preferred instrument to teach musical students, which is why some teachers who have been using flutophones in various schools have made the switch to teaching their students the recorder.

This is due to the fact that recorders are considered to be instruments that are more well established in comparison to flutophones, due to their possessing a long history and the ability to perform substantial reportoires.

There are not many serious repertoires that have been compiled for flutophones. So, the benefit of using a recorder in this regard is that the recorder is actually played in many songs that are still enjoyed by people today.

The recorder allows for more variability of usage for both students and adults, in comparison to the flutophone. The baroque fingering style that is used for recorders is more preferred in comparison to German fingering.

This fingering is what most people are more familiar with, and this makes teaching students much easier.

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What Are the Similarities Between Recorders and Flutophones?

When playing the flutophone, the musician will place his or her fingers over the holes in order to produce a sound, while blowing in the mouthpiece of the instrument.

These same processes are also used to play the recorder. However, the holes for the notes of the flutophone are raised, while the holes for the recorder are simply drilled into the instrument.

For both the flutophone and the recorder, the amount of breath being applied contributes to distinctions in the softness, loudness, or placement of emphasis in the notes.

Is a Recorder or a Flutophone Easier to Play?

A recorder is a woodwind instrument that is open holed. It is truly a simple instrument, and it’s common for elementary students to learn to play this instrument.

This instrument was created many centuries ago and was popular during the Middle Ages – again, perhaps due in part to its simplicity.

The recorder is fairly easy to play and works well with a student that is working on their music reading, coordination, fingering, breath control, and tonguing.

Many teachers consider the recorder to be a wonderful instrument of choice when getting students ready to play in a school band. It also helps that recorders possess a wide array of tunings and sizes.

It is common for students at school to take up the soprano recorder.

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For the flutophone’s part, though it might seem very similar in appearance to a toy, it really is not a toy.

It is truly a recognized instrument that is used for children, as a sort of pre-band instrument to help them get ready to play other types of instruments (perhaps even the recorder!).

The flutophone is less expensive than a recorder. It is highly durable, which makes it a great option for small children to use. It’s also light in weight.

This is a key feature that makes it much simpler for children to start using this instrument in comparison to others.

Moreover, when someone plays the flutophone, there is no need for the application of a large quantity of breath, as is sometimes necessary for a recorder in order to produce a nice note.

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Conclusion

Both the recorder and the flutophone can play fairly similar ranges of notes, though the recorder is generally able to produce more notes than the flutophone.

A major distinction is that the flutophone tends to be much more simple for small children to play. One nice perk is that it’s a relatively easy process for children to transition over to playing the recorder after learning how to play the flutophone.

The recorder can be used to play many different types of songs, and has a more refined sound than the flutophone.

FAQs

Also Read:

• Recorder vs. Flutophone (What’s The Difference?)
• Flute vs. Recorder (What’s the Difference?)
• Tonette vs Recorder: What Is The Difference?
• Penny Whistle vs. Recorder
• Aulos vs. Yamaha Recorder (Which One Is Better?)