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| Anatomy of the Recorder |
Parts of the Recorder
Your recorder has of three sections: the head joint, barrel, and foot joint.The head joint is the most important section of your recorder - it is the section that produces sound. It is imperative you take great care when handling the head joint. Any damage to the sharp edge of the ramp can ruin your recorder.
The barrel contains all the tone holes where you place your fingers. It's purpose is evident without explanation.
The foot joint turns so you can more easily place your pinky on the lowest hole.
Cleaning Your Plastic Recorder
Condensation builds up in your recorder as you play. While your plastic recorder will not suffer from being stored with moisture in it, the pouch can mildew. If you are storing your plastic recorder outside of a pouch or closed container, you should leave it assembled and simply wipe down the outside with a cotton or microfibre cloth.
For moisture removal after playing, separate the head joint by gently twisting it apart from the barrel. Run a piece of lintless cloth from head to foot through the bore of the barrel section using a cleaning rod or kitchen skewer.
Wrap your hand around the head joint, covering the window, and blow into the joint end so that moisture escapes through the beak. You may pass a thin strip of cloth through the windway if it somehow becomes clogged with grime.
A Q-tip or twisted corner of a cloth can be used to clean finger grime from the tone holes. If you should need to clean the ramp and window, do so very carefully with a Q-tip or the corner of a cloth. Plastic instruments are less susceptible to damage than wood, but you should still avoid touching the edge of the ramp.
Never attempt to scrape clean the tone holes or any part of the head joint using a sharp tool or knife tip, which can inadvertently remove material and alter the tuning or render the instrument unplayable.
Plastic recorders can be soaked in warm, soapy water for removing excessive grime. Dip the instrument in a soapy solution and clean per usual.
Greasing the Joints
We grease the joints to prevent sticking and provide a good seal. You can get a grease specially made for plastic recorders, aptly called "recorder cream", which is supplied with some new instruments such as the Yamaha 300 series. Or you can use petroleum jelly or lip balm. You should occasionally remove old grease by wiping it off, then reapply. To do this, put a small dab on the tenon and twist back and forth to spread the grease all around the joint as you reassemble the pieces.
