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The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constructed, typicaly, by a wooden plug known as a block or fipple. It is distinguished from other instrument in its family by having holes for seven fingers and one for the thumb of the uppermost hand. The bore of the recorder in tapered slightly, being widest at the mouthpiece end and narrowest at the top on some, or flared almost like a trumpet at the bottom on others.

The recorder was popular in medieval times, but declined in the 18th century in favor of orchestral woodwind instruments, such as the flute, oboe, and clarinet. During its heydeay, the recorder was traditionaly associated with birds, shepherds, miraculous events, funerals, marriges, and amorous scenes. Images of recorders can be found in literature and artwork associated with all these.

The recorder was revived in the 20th century, partly in the pursuit of historically informed performance of early music, but also because of its suitability as a simple instrument for teaching music and its appeal to amateur players. Today, it is ofetn thought of as a childs instrument, but there are many professional players who demonstrate the instrument's full solo range. The sound of the recorder is remarkably clear and sweet, partly because of the lack of upper harmonics and predominance of odd harmonics in the sound.

Source: wikipedia.org
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