Blockflöte

Blockflöte, commonly known in English as the recorder, is a woodwind instrument in the fipple-flute family. It is played by blowing into a mouthpiece with a built-in duct that directs air against a sharp edge (the labium) to produce sound. Pitch is controlled by seven front finger holes and a back thumb hole.

Recorders come in several sizes. The most common modern models used in education are soprano (in C), alto/treble (in F), tenor (in C), and bass (in F); larger sizes such as great bass and contrabass exist. They are made from wood (boxwood, rosewood, ebony) or plastic.

The instrument has a bright, clear tone and a wide dynamic range. Timbre varies with size, from lively soprano to deep bass. The standard fingering is diatonic; chromatic notes are obtained by alternate fingerings or cross-fingerings on some sizes.

Historically, the Blockflöte has medieval roots and was prominent in Renaissance and Baroque music. It was a common solo and ensemble instrument, with composers such as Vivaldi and Bach writing for it. Its popularity declined in the Classical era but was revived in the 20th century by the early-music movement and modern makers.

Today the Blockflöte is widely used in music education, early-music ensembles, and contemporary compositions, valued for its portability and expressive range. Care and maintenance include drying after playing, cleaning the windway, and storing disassembled to prevent warping.