Recorder31 Day 20 | A Look at our Recorder Clinics

Today our very first Online Recorder Clinic is taking place, and we thought this would be a good chance to tell you a little more about the clinics we have been holding at our Snape Maltings showroom since the beginning of this year. So, two of our Recorder31 team members, Eli and Finn, sat down to discuss how the clinics came about, and how they've been going.

Next week, Finn will be hosting the next in person Recorder Clinic – Wednesday 27 August at our Snape Maltings showroom, 10am-4pm. Get in touch for more information!

Eli: So Finn, today for Recorder31 we will be hosting our first ever online recorder clinic, which is very exciting! To celebrate this fact, and The Early Music Shop recorder clinics as a whole, we thought it would help to delve into what these clinics are and look at their evolution. When did these clinics start, and have you always been involved?

Finn: The idea came about at the start of this year. I've been associated with The Early Music Shop's Snape Maltings showroom for about four years, and my contributions have evolved gradually over time. In recognition of the fact our recorder technician and workshop are based at the Saltaire showroom, it was a way of offering specialist advice at the other showroom at Snape Maltings. Of course, all of our staff are experienced with recorders, but for certain specific questions, sometimes people feel reassured to speak directly with a recorder player. I hosted the first clinic back in February and thereafter we've held one every month.

Eli: What sort of questions do you get asked? I imagine they can be quite varied!

Finn: Definitely, a big mixture! Sometimes people will be looking for advice on which instrument to purchase, and being able to answer this question in the showroom itself is great because I can show customers the different ranges and options within their budget right there in the moment. Other common questions have involved maintenance on instruments, recorder oiling, and playing in new instruments. Sometimes a technique question will come up, and while the clinics don't always offer the time or space for a proper recorder lesson, I'm always happy to help as much as time allows.

Eli: Have there been any highlight moments for you from the clinics? Any particularly tricky queries that you've managed to solve, for example?

Finn: Thankfully I've been able to answer most queries so far, or I have put people in touch with Barry, our technician in Saltaire, for further specific consultation or maintenance work. I like it when customers bring recorders they've rediscovered from their youth (or from their parents' or grandparents' generation) to be serviced and overhauled – even though I don't personally carry out the work on the instruments, it's nice to think we are potentially reinstating links with people's childhoods and/or families. You can see how much these instruments mean to their owners!

Eli: How important do you think it is to have a personalised service such as these clinics?

Finn: I think it's what distinguishes The Early Music Shop from other shops in terms of our recorder specialism. We have a huge amount of recorder knowledge in the team including, amongst others, my colleague Peter who has been working with these instruments for decades, and our social media manager Olivia who, like me, is a professional recorder player and teacher. While it's possible to buy recorders elsewhere, with The Early Music Shop it's a really personal experience, where the needs and budget of each customer are considered individually, and it's great to contribute to this process with the clinics.

Eli: Have you noticed a difference in your approach to the recorder clinics now, compared with when you started?

Finn: Not massively! Even though there's some common threads in the questions, each person's experience is unique so I find it's best to approach it fresh every time. We can often bring in Philip, our retail manager at Snape, to add his input if the query needs it. Ultimately, he and I are trying to create a relaxed and safe environment where people feel comfortable to choose the best instrument for them, and then get the best out of it for years to come!

The Early Music Shop's recorder clinics continue every month: the next is held next Wednesday 27 August 10am-4pm. Further dates to be announced! There's no need to book a slot and you are welcome to turn up on the day. If there are specific recorders you wish to see, or if you have a very unusual question, it's worth contacting our Snape showroom in advance and our retail manager, Philip, can advise further on your visit. See you there!

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If you're not ready to commit to a wooden instrument, there's a whole range of high-quality resin recorders on the market. This Aulos 511B Symphony Tenor comes in just under one hundred pounds, but still produces a reliable, balanced and clear sound. Check out the audio clips below or follow this link to find out more about this instrument.