Short stories featuring musical instruments and those who play them!
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The humble recorder, a cheap and cheerful little instrument once beloved by music teachers in schools countrywide!
I don’t remember much of my early years, but I can still see my little classmates and me sitting cross-legged in a circle on the floor, tooting and hooting to our heart’s content.
Some were so good at it, you could actually make out the tune they were trying to play! Most of us though just did our best to play along.
Harry was a little devil. He perfected using his recorder as a pea-shooter. Not just outside the classroom, but sometimes in the middle of a piece we were playing! He got told off quite often but it didn’t stop him.
Wee Marie was clever. she could actually play two recorders at once, and quite well too! Anthony would often sit outside on the grass trying to be a worm-charmer, and Suzie sometimes stood to attention and played The Last Post like a bugler; her grandad used to be in a military band and he taught her.
I believe it’s gone out of fashion in recent years. The ukulele seems to be the instrument of choice for youngsters today. But I’m thinking of getting one. At least it’ll be less of a nuisance for my neighbours than when I pick up my saxophone!
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Years past
2020 – Stories featuring obsolete words – R
2019 – Stories for children – R
2018 – My Friend Rosey – R
2017 – The village of Amble Bay – R
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Cute post Keith
Thanks so much, Sadje.
You’re welcome
I remember those. 🙂
Yes, happy days!
Recorder is a wonderful instrument, there is classical music written specifically for it, too.
There is indeed. I only wish more schools would teach it here the way they used to.
Great story! They were my nightmare at school! I’m just not good with instruments ;))
You too? It’s not exactly my favourite!
My source of music during my teens was not a recorder but a tape recorder on which music cassettes got played again and again …. to be honest in had to google recorder as I was not familiar with the instrument
https://pagesfromjayashree.blogspot.com/2021/04/r-for-remus.html
Tapes and cassettes! Those were the days my friend! I remember them well, fondly too.
Anthony, the worm charmer–cute.
Not sure if recorder is better than a saxophone. Well, I’m sure your neighbours will make it clear to you soon enough:)
Unfotrunately my sax is a bit loud to play in an appartment! I know which I prefer though and it’s not the recorder! Cheers Arti.
My kids had to learn the recorder in school, but neither of them perfected any of the talents your characters did. 😀
Mine too – and nor did they! Cheers KJ.
So funny isn’t it? A whole generation (or three) in this country, all brought up with the recorder in school music lessons!
I certainly was Iain!
Just please don’t take up the bagpipes, Keith.
Absolutely no chance Gail! They make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!
Recorders were a rite of passage in schools here as well. I wonder why they are called that as they don’t record anything.
My “R” Tull song of the day is here:
http://tao-talk.com/2021/04/21/a2z-2021-jethro-tull-songs-day-18-reasons-for-waiting-from-stand-up/
That’s never occurred to me, I wonder too!