The Recorder Family
The recorder family
The recorder, as a musical instrument, comes in many sizes. The length of the tube, from the labium (whistle window) to the end of the foot joint determines its basic pitch (i.e. the lowest pitched note the recorder can play with all finger and thumb holes covered).
Garklein - the highest pitched recorder. It is seldom used. Some garkleins have only 3 holes, as the distance between the holes is very small and the player needs very thin fingers. It is pitched in C. The lowest note is C on the 2nd ledger line above the treble staff.
Sopranino - the highest commonly used recorder. Typically there would be one sopranino in a recorder orchestra. It is pitched in F. Its lowest note is F on the 5th line of the treble staff.
Descant or Soprano - the most common recorder, used in schools to teach music. It is pitched in C. Its lowest note is C on 3rd space of the treble staff.
Treble or Alto - slightly larger than the descant, it is pitched in F. Its lowest note is on 1st space of the treble staff.
Tenor - slightly larger than the treble and twice the length of the descant. It is pitched in C an octave below the descant. Its lowest note is middle C on the 1st ledger line below the treble staff.
Bass - slightly larger than the tenor and twice the length of the treble. Pitched in F an octave below the treble. Its lowest note is on the 4th line of the bass staff.
Great Bass - slightly larger than the bass and twice the length of the tenor. Pitched in C an octave below the tenor. Its lowest note is on the 2nd space of the bass staff.
Contra Bass - slightly larger than the great bass and twice the length of the bass. Pitched in F an octave below the bass. Its lowest note is on the space below the bass staff.
There are bigger recorders, but these are rare, although there are now a few sub-great bass recorders in this country.
There are two main types of recorder consorts. They are based around the pitch of the lowest instrument in the consort and derive their names from organ terminology. The most common is the four foot consort consisting of Descant, treble, tenor and bass recorders and is equivalent to a Soprano, Alto, Tenor and bass choir. There is also an eight foot consort that is becoming more popular consisting of tenor, bass, great bass and contra bass recorders.
A typical recorder orchestra would have parts for sopranino, two descants, two trebles, two tenors, two basses, great bass and contra bass recorders.