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Why do I Need to Warm the Recorder Before Playing?
Answer
Warming the instrument before playing is a preventative measure that also improves playing. The player’s breath is usually much warmer than the ambient temperature. As the recorder has adjusted to this external temperature, playing the instrument from „cold“ will result in a temperature difference that may lead to great stress in the body of the recorder which can result in cracks. In order to avoid these cracks the instrument should be warmed in the hand or near the body. As the difference in temperature will affect the head joint most, this should receive preferential treatment in warming before playing. Another important result of warming the instrument before playing will be that it will not become hoarse so easily. Small droplets of condensation form in the windway when warm breath comes into contact with a cold instrument, as a result the windway narrows and playing will be affected. The fewer droplets that collect, the more stress-free the music making. Also, instruments are much less likely be in tune unless they are warm