****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This is the best book yet written on the recorder. Ken covers the instrument's history and traditional repertoire; every aspect of technique, note by note; breath control and articulation problems; and makes a thorough study of performance considerations and practice habits. He also gives complete recommendations on selecting and caring for a new recorder.It is written in a relaxed, friendly style; very easy to follow and understand. This is THE book every recorder player should have, whether a novice just starting or an experienced player who wants to improve.The book's main shortcoming is its age. Written in 1982, a few details have become dated, particularly the list of recommended works to play. While the list is still valid, it could be longer with more recent works added. There have also been advances in recorder design and materials since 1982.I would also like to see discussion of applying the recorder to popular music of the twentieth century, but this is a personal beef I have with every recorder book. They all focus on the traditional Renaissance and Baroque music, with mention of modern works only in the classical genre.Another drawback is that the book's continued popularity has meant that used copies usually have an outrageous price. With patience, I eventually lucked onto a good condition hardcover for $15. Most listings tend to start around $25 for a softcover, up to well over a hundred for a fine hardcover.I understand that Mr. Wollitz is currently at work on a revised edition, that will hopefully be published within the next year. I look forward to it.EDIT, March 2012- I see that since I wrote this review, prices have come down quite a bit. Good for recorderists, if not the book sellers!I agree with all the 5-star ratings above without repeating what was stated. I have bought quite a few recorder books now and this IS the ULTIMATE RECORDER HANDBOOK for the SERIOUS STUDENT who desires to GO DEEPER or ADVANCE AS FAR AS ONE CAN. An ENLIVENING KNOWLEDGEBASE on the art of (recorder) music making.To read the book is like to have a very knowledgeable professor or gifted teacher next to you - inspiring and instructing everyone who wants to play more beautifully and skillfully. The author empathizes & affirms your learning experiences, travels with you along your journey, preempting pitfalls and imparting invaluable tips for mastery. From selecting a recorder to making it sing, from practicing more effectively to playing in ensembles and enriching your repertoire - this book is invaluable. Everything I need is in here. I love it.I am glad I found this book early in my return to the instrument after decades of abandon. Great guide for the beginner, intermediate or advanced.Well structured. Knowledgeable. Connects.The Oster Toaster works like a charm. The customer that wrote about ruining her first slice of toast failed to read the directions. Before using the toaster, operate the toaster WITHOUT toast to burn off any oils or dust due to the manufacturing of the toaster. The toaster will smell while performing this function. I did it twice to make sure it had gotten rid of any oils, etc. Also in the directions, it mentioned that if toasting only 2 slices of bread you should put the bread in the middle of each opening. This should clear up some of the customer complaints.I am new to the recorder, and have found myself on various websites online seeking much of the information neatly compiled in this book. The writer has a personable and encouraging voice in his writing. Many techniques shown in the book are beyond my current abilities, but when I reach that level I know I have the reference to which I may look. There is not a lot of actual music to play in the book, as it is more of a book on techniques and about playing the recorder, but the listing in a latter section of recommended material is extremely helpful.Somehow I mistook the reprinted date as a revised date, I did not notice the mistake till I read a line saying that plastic bass recorders didn't exist yet (as of the date of the book). Oh well. Other than that it is a good book, though a bit outdated.I didn't dislike anything about this book. The only thing I would have liked to see was some concentration on the "C" instruments (I play descant and tenor) but it is encouraging me to start playing the alto - an "F" instrument which is where the author concentrates his attention. A great reference book.I wanted something that would explain every step of a recorder players journey. This is the book. Very detailed instructions covering every technique. It is probably a bit meaty for a musical beginner - but excellent resource for a teacher (or aspiring teacher).It is the best book discussing recorder technqiue that I have found, and couldn't recommend it more highly.This is very close to THE major source as the 20th century textbook for recorder players and teachers. All topics of playing: breathing, articulation, instrument selection, literature, etc. are well covered and explained for the beginner, learning without a teacher; for a teacher, searching for another way of explaining a concept to a student; and to the more advanced player striving to gain skill and technique.A friend lent me an old copy of this book when I decided to teach myself to play the alto recorder. I was so impressed with it that I decided to buy myself a copy as I found I did not want to give the original back to its owner!This book covers all the major types of recorder and has a particularly useful section upon how to finger and blow each note. It also has a very useful section listing some recommended recorder music titles, together with their difficulty. This is by no means the only book you need to buy to learn to play the recorder, but I find I regularly consult it for information upon some aspect of recorder playing that I cannot find easily elsewhere.I know the previous reviews have been mixed but I really liked this book. It has a wealth of information on playing, listening, the working of the recorder and so on. If you approach it with no preconceived ideas on what it is, I'm sure you won;t be disappointed.MY HUSBAND LOVE ITExcellent book for recorder players at any level.It is always a good book to read when you have doubts or when you have forgotten something.It is a good book to refer to when you have to teach or coach.El mejor libro que he encontrado para aprender a tocar la flauta dulce contralto. Enseña con cierta profundidad la técnica adecuada de los múltiples aspectos de la flauta. No es un libro con partituras, que es lo común, sino con explicaciones en lenguaje sencillo sobre cómo tocar. Ameno y dirigido principalmente al principiante, aunque está en inglés y no hay traducción al español. Ojalá existiese algo parecido con explicaciones técnicas para la flauta tenor (aunque en parte éste tb es útil para ella). Un gran libro.
