Desire To Learn Recorder, Should I Reconsider Due to Injury?

[coppcar]

I'd like to learn the recorder. I don't play anything else. So, I am pretty ignorant, but eager to learn.

My question

I am right handed. I am missing the third section of the middle finger on my right hand. Do you think I can still play this instrument? I don't want to start down that path if it's not going to work out for me.

Thank you.

[Peter Duggan]

Might be worth taking a look at these?

http://www.aulos.jp/en/products/disabled.html

[Kypfer]

Having quickly grabbed a descant recorder ... yes, it's doable, so's a treble/alto. It "feels a little funny" to me, inevitably, but perfectly playable. As a suggestion, for the very little it will cost, beg steal or borrow a basic instrument and an introduction tutor book and spend a week or so at it. If you don't get anywhere it's little lost and a lesson well learnt ... if it starts to work, take it from there

Good luck !

[MichaelLoos]

Most likely you'll be able to play without any bigger problems, and you should follow Kypfer's suggestion.
If however it should become clear that you are not able to play a normal recorder, Mollenhauer offer individual key systems for mostly any requirement: http://www.mollenhauer.com/index.php?op ... 96&lang=en
Such an instrument will of course be more expensive (but still far less than a violin or piano...).

[Tonehole]

Hi Coppcar,

the missing distal phalanx of the left finger isn't a problem playing recorder of the garklein, soprano (descant) or alto pitches. Perhaps the keyed flute is easier to use, perhaps not to blow since the key seals the complete hole).

No reason to worry about the injury getting in the way - if anything, playing an instrument will help you overcome the injury.

The chromatic harmonica is also a great instrument if you're worried about the injury getting in the way.

[coppcar]

Thank you all for the excellent answers!

[Tim2723]

If it's the investment that worries you, know that you can pick up a cheap plastic soprano recorder for just a dollar or two (honestly, my dollar store has clear plastic ones for a buck each). They sound awful, but that will be good enough to just try it.

[coppcar]

The investment is not an issue. It's just that I had no clue if the lack of a finger tip would make playing a recorder impossible. I just didn't want to spend the time trying if I was going fail because of that. I think it's pretty clear that it won't be a problem, so I am going to move forward. I'll post back with reports of my progress.

Thanks Tim.

[brewerpaul]

You could try the "pipers grip" that many whistle players use, especially for larger,lower whistles. Instead of fingering the holes with the distal finger pad, the fingers are held flat and the middle section of the finger is used. This may let you play the Alto recorder too. I just picked up one of my Alto recorders, and was able to use this fingering. A Tenor might be difficult.