
Recorder is more than just soprano
Promoting teamwork and social interaction
Making music together strengthens cohesion within the class.
Students learn to listen to each other, to contribute their own skills to the ensemble and to take responsibility for the musical result.
This promotes social skills such as empathy and communication skills.
As each child has their own personality, a suitable instrument size (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) that appeals to the child increases motivation and therefore learning success.
The pupil shown in the picture plays a f-alto recorder and there is much more to come.
Read what is possible at primary schools with the recorder.
A choir with only sopranos?
Imagine a choir project with only sopranos - it sounds like singing a very optimistic song about a sunny day in a crowded room full of butterflies. The lower voices, the basses, tenors and altos, don't seem to have received an invitation to the big singing party. It's almost as if someone had written "Only high notes allowed!" in the concert announcement and all the other voices had decided to spend a cosy evening at home.
When the soprano voices get going, a melody emerges that is so bright that you think the sun itself might invite you to sing along.
But after a while, the audience begins to sense that something crucial is missing - the harmonic depths that round off the singing experience and contribute to the full spectrum of sound. You could almost say it's like a cake made only of cream: sweet, frothy and deliciously light, but where are the juicy fruit and the chocolaty base?
Shouldn't we launch an appeal to all low voices: "Summon your altos, tenors and basses! We need you to give this heavenly concert an earthy depth!"
An orchestra with only first violins?
Imagine that: An orchestra consisting only of medium to high voice type violins - the sonic equivalent of a dish of overcooked carrots on rice, garnished with a pinch of boredom. The lower instruments, such as cellos and double basses, seem to reside in another universe, while the violins chirp merrily along as if trying to persuade the audience with an endless selection of "Spring from Vivaldi".
Somewhere between the lively melodies, one wonders: where are the bass lines? Where is the sound that embraces you and doesn't just get on your nerves? Instead, what we have here is a concert that sounds like a group of frustrated violins organising an endless coffee break.
The audience sits there as if they've ordered a culinary disappointment, only to realise that the only ingredient is "properly crisp violin tones" - and that wasn't a good idea. This turns the concert into a very special experience: an acoustic diet that is nourishing, but only leaves a clear aftertaste of "Something's missing!". Perhaps the low tones simply got stuck in a traffic jam or decided to have a snack in another dimension.
A band consisting only of guitars?
The true magic of a band only unfolds in the harmonious interplay of its different voice types and instruments. When the singers combine their voices - a powerful bass that conveys the deepest emotions, followed by the warm alto and tenor voices that play around the melody - a rich tapestry of sound is created. The high soprano voices set brilliant accents that immediately captivate and enthral the audience.
The band's strength is evident in the harmonious combination of their different voice types and instruments.
The powerful vocals - from the bass to the radiant sopranos - create a fascinating tapestry of sound, while the instrumental accompaniment, led by the pulsating drums and the deep electric bass, forms the foundation. Acoustic and electric guitars support the melodies and intensify the overall experience. The interplay of these musical elements creates a rousing energy that gets the audience singing and dancing along. When all aspects work together in harmony, the result is a powerful body of work that makes for unforgettable performances and touches the audience emotionally.

Which recorder sizes can be played successfully
in primary school,
to create tonal variety?
The smallest recorders are the Garklein recorders. They are 16 cm long.
The largest recorder (sub-subcontrabass recorder) has a sounding length of 4.93 metres.
Not all sizes are suitable for teaching in primary schools.
Taiwan is one of the countries that has been offeringvery successful group lessonsin general education schools for decades
practised for decades.
Let's look beyond the European horizon
and let this country inspire us to create new project classes.


What led to the triumph of the soprano (descant) recorder?
The answer is very simple.
The close spacing of the tone holes makes it easy to play.
Today, there are also lower recorders where the fingers are just as close together as on the soprano (descant) recorder.
There is therefore no longer any reason to use only soprano (descant) recorders.
Larger instruments can be financed for schools in various ways.
Please contact us.
Tel: 0661 968 938-50
or by email [email protected]

Setting the right goals
If the goal is clear, it can be achieved.
It doesn't matter whether you start with one or two low instruments.
The low notes have an effect. Parents and external donors are always willing to sponsor an instrument. Take advantage of this opportunity.
Ab November 2024
Ihre Schule liegt in Hessen?
Sie sind Pilotschule im Hessischen Blockflötenprojekt?
Dann können Sie für Ihre Schule Bass-Blockflöten und die neuartigen sigo-Blockflöten von Kunath Instrumentenbau für die Dauer des Pilotprojekts kostenfrei einsetzen. Stellen Sie uns Ihr Projekt vor und gewinnen Sie mit etwas Glück die Förderung.
Dieses Projekt wurde durch die Unterstützung privater Sponsoren aus Hessen möglich.
Beachten Sie auch das aktuelle early bird Angebot für Schulen und Lehrkräfte für sigo.
This flyer shows that in other countries the soprano (descant) recorder is no longer the only instrument used in general education schools.
Instrumental classes are the best way to introduce children to the wonderful feeling of making music together. It is important that the concept and the instruments used are motivating from the very first note. This is almost impossible with high soprano (descant) recorders alone.
Achieving this goal is easier with rental instruments.
Many schools charge between €25 and €50 per child/month to take part in instrumental lessons.
Good results don't come for free!
Use instruments worth at least €10,000
As part of the Hessian recorder pilot project, participating schools can find out which concepts and instruments are best suited to their music classes.
In many schools, the answer is "with different voice types / recorder sizes".
As a participating school, you have the opportunity to use a class set of different instruments free of charge for the duration of the project.
The number of instruments depends on the school in question.
However, they are worth at least €10,000.
Apply for the free instruments!
Tell us about your school project in a few sentences and show us what makes your school particularly worthy of support.
Please send your application to: [email protected]