PHILIPPE BOLTON

HANDMADE RECORDERS & FLAGEOLETS


THE RECORDER IN THE 17th CENTURY

This drawing, published with some copies of van Eyck's Fluyten Lust Hof, illustrates a mid 17th century soprano (descant) recorder, which has now become a solo intrument. Its range is over two octaves, as can be seen in the stave below the instrument. Its bore would have been slightly conical, narrowing towards the lower end.
The soprano (descant) recorder became predominant in the North of Europe, whereas the alto in g remained in use in Italy. 


van Eyck's recorder (17th century)
Click on the picture to see a fingering chart