Less Popular Musical Instruments - The Recorder And Tin Whistle

You want to play different musical instruments. All you friends are playing guitars, pianos, saxophones and drums. But you don't follow the crowd. You're considering a recorder or tin whistle.

Trying several different versions of a musical instrument is always a good idea before choosing one specific style. With most instruments it is much better to try before you buy. Not only will the instrument sound different with different materials and manufacturers but for different players as well.

Some people desire solo careers playing their musical instruments. If you are planning a solo career with a recorder or a tin whistle, there are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing the right one for you. Once you've chosen which particular musical instrument you want to play, your next step is to learn as much about your options for the instrument you chose as possible. How many tin whistles can there be, you ask? Several. And the one you chose depends on the type of sound you want.

We'll start with recorders. Recorders can be made of wood or plastic. With any musical instrument you need to know the sound that you will make with the different material. Recorders produce different sounds not only based on the materials they are made from but they also produce different sounds based on the individual player. This is one musical instrument that you absolutely need to try before you buy.

If you prefer the sound of a wooden recorder, you may want to keep in mind that while the wooden recorders have a much better sound, they have much more stringent care requirements than the plastic recorders. As a result plastic recorders are better for younger players who are less likely to care properly for them. Most musical instruments require some degree of care, and that is something to keep in mind as not being particularly exclusionary.

Another thing to keep in mind if you are considering a wooden recorder (which I strongly recommend for solo performances) is that some of the tropical hardwoods can cause rashes. As a result I would only recommend buying from a reputable dealer of musical instruments with an honorable return policy.

Of course that goes for any musical instrument you might buy, but may be even more imperative here.

Another musical instrument for a solo career could very well be a tin whistle (also called a penny whistle). These are very popular instruments in Ireland and while they come in many different shapes and sizes, if at all possible choose one that is in the key of D, as these are the most common. There really are no other requirements for the tin whistle other than choosing the one which you like the sound of best.

All musical instruments have their quirks and there is no one size fits all when it comes to playing and or selecting them. It is vitally important if you are pursuing a solo career playing a recorder or a tin whistle, that you choose the musical instrument that gives you the best sound possible. The comfort factor is almost negligible because most all will be comfortable to use.

When seeking a solo career, try to choose a musical instrument that has a pure sound. The only way to know for sure when selecting your instrument is to try and compare. By trying several different versions of each instrument, you are increasing your odds of finding the best match.

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get a particular sound only to find the musical instrument you own is not capable of producing it. And as always, start small, and upgrade when you are ready.