The Best Recorders for Kids

Yamaha C-Soprano Recorder

The Perfect Learning Tool

This recorder is durable, easy to play, and easy to clean, making it perfect for musicians on the rise.

Best Overall

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Whether you’re looking for a young child’s first musical instrument or a device that can truly play some awesome songs, this Yamaha recorder is a great choice. It’s made from strong plastic and comes in three fun colors to motivate even the youngest musicians.

This recorder breaks down into three parts, making it extremely easy to clean. It’s even dishwasher safe, so you can throw it in with your plates and bowls if it gets a bit ickier than it should.

Pros:

• The plastic build of this recorder makes it strong enough to last through the bumps and drops that may occur with young users
• Even though this is plastic, it still has that perfect recorder sound

Cons:

• This recorder doesn’t come with a protective case

Eastar Wood C Key Recorder

Learn with the Real Deal

This stunning maple wood recorder creates the perfect sound and comes in a protective case for an authentic musical experience.

Best Classic

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If you’re looking for a step up from plastic instruments, this wooden recorder from Eastar is a beautiful, high-quality device. It’s made out of a strong-yet-lightweight maple wood, which delivers beautiful woody tones.

This recorder comes apart into three pieces for easy cleaning and storage. It even comes with a hard protective case so your child can bring it with them on the go without worrying about accidentally getting chips or cracks in the beautiful wood build.

Pros:

• Comes with a fingering chart as well as a cleaning kit, so your child can learn to play and take care of their instrument to their best abilities
• The wood material creates a more classic, authentic sound when compared to plastic

Cons:

• This recorder comes at a higher price point due to the quality it is made with

Mr. Power Soprano Recorder

Blow Notes on a Budget

This recorder is both fun and affordable, making it perfect for kids of any age.

Best Value

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For those shopping on a tight budget, this instrument from Mr. Power is perfect. It’s available at an extremely low price, and it can be used as a learning tool to the same extent as higher-priced versions.

This recorder is made of plastic and comes in five fun colors to motivate your young musician. It also includes a cloth carrying bag, cleaning rod, and fingering chart, so your child has everything they need to get started.

Pros:

• This recorder comes apart into three pieces for easy cleaning
• Even with its low price, it still has the same design and keys as more expensive versions
• Available in several different colors

Cons:

• The plastic material doesn’t allow for the classic sound that comes from higher-quality devices, but this recorder is still a great option for beginners who are just learning how to play

Eastar Soprano Key of C Recorder

For Your Aspiring Musician

This professional recorder is sure to impress even the best little music stars.

Best Professional

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If your child is ready to take the next step in their musical education, this recorder from Eastar can give them that opportunity. It’s a professional-grade instrument, so it will give them the ability to create a more authentic and beautiful sound as they play with the same technique and fingerings.

This recorder is made with high-quality plastic resin and is designed to create the perfect tone. It has a professional look to it and can be neatly disassembled for easy cleaning. It even comes in a leather carrying case, so your little one can look fancy wherever they play.

Pros:

• This recorder comes with joint grease, a cleaning kit, and a fingering chart for easy care and playing
• It includes thumb support on the back to help players with smaller hands
• Considering the professional quality, the price is a bargain

Cons:

• This recorder doesn’t come in any fun color options

Pangda Descant Soprano Recorder- 4 Pack

Let the Whole Family Play Along

This set of four recorders is perfect for creating a fun family band.

Best Set

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If you’re planning on teaching your whole family to play the recorder, this set of four instruments may be perfect for you. All four recorders are made of plastic and come with their own cleaning rods and cloth cases for easy care.

These recorders are designed to be both durable and lightweight. They come apart into three pieces for easy cleaning and they even come with fingering charts to help your crew learn together.

Pros:

• The price is extremely affordable when you consider the fact that you’re getting four recorders instead of one
• The cloth bags make them easy to take with you on the go

Cons:

• These recorders only come in ivory for color

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which recorder is best for beginners?

A: All of the recorders on the list above are played in the same way, and they can all be used by beginners. The simple design and straightforward fingering patterns make the recorder a fantastic introduction to the world of music.

Q: Which recorder is best for use at school?

A: If your child will be learning to play the recorder for school, the teacher will likely tell you which kind to get. They may tell you to purchase a “key of C” recorder or a “soprano” recorder, which all of the products above are. They may also specify between a “Baroque” or “German” recorder. If this is the case, these labels are shown on each of the product pages for the instruments reviewed above.