I love..... RECORDER!
Yeah, the instrument.
Like this:
But mine looks like THIS:
Yeah, the instrument.
Like this:
But mine looks like THIS:
Many people think that recorders are only really suited for children. But I found learning to play it brought a lot of joy to my life, and i would like to defend this instrument and share some of my thoughts and works with it. This site is, after all, meant to be about the things that make me happy.
I picked up the recorder this year [EDIT: refering of course to 2022-23] due to a new hyperfixation: Classic Doctor Who. (There will, for sure, be at least a few pages on that sooner or later.) From first sight, I connected with the character of the second doctor more than I expected.
That particular incarnation of the doctor is a chaplinesque hobo, and has a great fondness for playing tunes on a simple recorder, and sometimes using it as a comedic prop- a sword, a telescope, etc.
The hyperfixation and desire to cosplay this adorable fellow led me to start badgering my little sister- who played the recorder in elemantry school- to give me one of her old recorders. She didn't want to, so when I went to a local vintage/antique market with friends and saw a wooden recorder from the 60s, of course I bought it.
The second doctor, played by Patrick Troughton, 1966-1969. Played a recorder often as part of his whimsical nature.
I'm dyspraxic. I never really thought I'll be able to play an intrument, and despite my past exposure to ocarinas, harmonicas, recorders, didn't think of them as legitimate options for me.
Seeing- and emulating- that well-aprreciated grown man putting energy and meaning into the simple joy of easy music, and letting oneself engage and be proud of "frivolous" or "silly" things or "bad" hobbies....
Learning something new doesn't have to be difficult and the value of it isn't any less if it's easy and fun.
My recorder makes me life nicer. Sometimes I don't play it for weeks, sometimes I play it every day. It's just another little bit of art and fun
I have in my life now, and I think this so very much encapsulated the energy and ideas I want to put in this site and celebrate in it!
Jailed by Tibetian monks, The Doctor plays Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
EDIT: It has been a few years since I've made this page. I play my recorder far less often now than I did between 2022-2024- but I'm still with my wonderful boyfriend I met through it. It recognized my cosplay at a local convention and it turned out it was an ex-recorder player from school, so it helped me figure out the tune the second doctor plays on his debut episode- and the rest is history.
We went to Gallifrey One together in 2024 and I played music for Frasier Hines, original actor of the Doctor's companion and best friend, Jamie McCrimmon! Yes, my boyfriend and I were in cosplay. He signed the first page of my recorder notebook!
I might be on my way to getting back into making music. Even if it's only an occasional activity now- it was precious to find out I can do it.
