DO you play the recorder? A top UK music school says fewer people are playing the woodwind instrument now.

Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester has revealed that it has seen an 80% decline in people playing the recorder in the past ten years. The school has reported that only three of its pupils practised the recorder, compared with 15 a decade ago. The school says Covid could be to blame, as the idea of blowing air everywhere wasn’t appealing during the pandemic.

Also, Covid stopped lots of children learning in a group with other people, so more children started taking up individual instruments, such as the piano.

The European Recorder Teachers Association says it’s working to increase numbers of people playing the recorder.

What do you think? Is the instrument just out of fashion or would you still like to learn how to play it? Vote below, and remember to leave a comment!