Harmful gusts of wind create difficulties for pupil involved in school music, particularly those playing the recorder.
The Plummeting Popularity of the Recorder: Unpacking the Music Education Shift
Parents across the UK might be rejoicing at the decrease in youngsters learning the recorder, an instrument known for its shrill, ear-piercing tones that can make you long for the comparatively pleasing sounds of mating foxes or a power tool. But there's more to this decline than meets the ear, as revealed by the latest survey from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music.
The recorder, historically beloved by kings such as Henry VIII and our current monarch, has served as the entry-level instrument for British children since the 1950s. Its simple learning process and affordable, nearly maintenance-free plastic counterparts made it accessible and popular. But the survey points to a concerning downward trend!
Two key factors contribute to this shift. Firstly, the rise in popularity of alternatives like the electric guitar, flute, and ukulele. Who wants to practice the recorder solo from Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No 4 when they can strum along to catchy pop tunes?
Secondly, the dip in recorder learners may underscore the deterioration of music education in the UK. In 2023, an Ofsted report found that while almost every primary school offers music as part of the national curriculum, only half provide instrumental or vocal tuition. Moreover, participation tends to plummet around ages 12 and 15, and many schools struggle to maintain a sufficient number of music teachers.
A skilled mentor can transform a sharp, cacophonous recorder performance into a melodious, harmonious piece. Yet, with nearly 1,000 fewer music teachers since 2012 and over a third planning to leave the field within five years, finding such a teacher is becoming increasingly challenging.
The recorder's descent isn't limited to children's choices of instruments. Solvent schools may be able to provide electric guitars to classrooms, but affordable alternatives like the recorder offer an economical opportunity to present young people with fundamental musical concepts, such as melody, rhythm, and technique. The alarming decline in its use suggests that access to instruction is shrinking.
Transformations in the school curriculum are on the horizon, offering a chance to elevate music's status to that of core subjects such as maths and English. Advocates argue that the government should invest in music education to fill a £161mn funding deficit for "music hubs" established in 2011. Careful consideration of the role of the recorder in music education will help to make an informed decision about its future and, ultimately, the future of music in our schools.
Music can bring joy, fulfillment, and career opportunities, while also serving as a blueprint for achievement. Learning an instrument like the piano, trumpet, or even the humble recorder as a child might shape one's adult life, fostering self-discipline and focus, as it has for many, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who started his journey with the flute and, yes, the recorder.
dan.stewart@our website
Enrichment data included sparingly for insight and context:
The downturn in recorder playing among primary school children in the UK can be attributed to several factors, including broader trends in music education:
- General Decline in Music Education: There has been a significant decrease in pupils taking music-related examinations and participating in instrumental lessons, with a near-halving of GCSE music participation between 2007 and 2013, and A-Level music numbers also decreasing, with predictions of disappearance from state schools by 2033.[1]
- Shift to Other Instruments: Children are more frequently learning instruments like the ukulele or ocarina at primary school level.[1] This shift may reflect a preference for more versatile, fun, or appealing instruments.
- Whole Class Teaching: There is a trend towards whole-class teaching in music education, which may not effectively foster individual musical talents or long-term interest in playing instruments.[1]
The decline in recorder playing and music education overall may have implications, such as reduced access to instrumental training, potential loss of cultural heritage, and impact on future generations' appreciation of music.
- The surveyb reveals a concerning drop in recorder learners, which could be a sign of a more widespread decline in music education in the UK.
- In 2023, the government could invest in music education to address a £161mn funding deficit for music hubs, in an attempt to elevate music's status to that of core subjects like maths and English.
- Skilled mentors can turn a recorder performance from cacophonous to harmonious, but with a decrease in music teachers, finding such a teacher might become increasingly difficult.
- Pioneering educational reforms in 2023 could offer opportunities to reconsider the role of the recorder in music education, leading to an informed decision about its future and, ultimately, the future of music in schools.
- With the increasing popularity of instruments like the ukulele and ocarina, the recorder may be facing a challenging future in educational settings, potentially leading to reduced access to fundamental musical concepts like melody, rhythm, and technique.
