Recorder lessons in The Hague

The recorder can sound very expressive despite its simplicity. It is an instrument with a rich history. The oldest recorders we know of date back to the fourteenth century, and the recorder was also a widely played instrument during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Composers such as Bach, Handel, Telemann and Vivaldi wrote music for it. After fading into the background somewhat in the nineteenth century, the recorder has found its own unique place in the world of music since the beginning of the twentieth century. Even today, a great deal of music is composed for the recorder. Those who play the recorder need not limit themselves to “early” music. Recorders are made in sizes ranging from very small to very large, from the 12-centimetre “gar klein Flötlein” to the three-metre-long contrabass.

About the teacher ▶

Stieneke Kamp studied recorder at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague with Frans Brüggen from 1968 to 1972. She also took many courses with Jeanette van Wingerden, Ton Koopman, Bart Spanhove and Philip Thorby, among others. In the 1970s, she taught at the music schools in Delft and Capelle aan de IJssel and at the Municipal Conservatory in Zwolle. From 1977 to 2007, she was a recorder teacher at the ToBe Foundation in Dordrecht. She currently focuses mainly on her private practice, which also includes a large number of ensembles.

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Lesson location ▶

The lessons are held at the teacher’s home in The Hague.

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Lesson duration and frequency ▶

The duration of lessons can vary from half an hour to an hour (or longer). Beginners are advised to take weekly lessons, but more advanced players can also opt for biweekly, triweekly or monthly lessons. A punch card system offers optimal freedom in this regard.

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Lesson times ▶

The lesson time will be determined by mutual agreement. There are options in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

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Rates ▶

All information is sent by email upon request.

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For whom ▶

The recorder is suitable for people of all ages. Children can start with the soprano recorder, while adults often begin with the slightly larger alto recorder. Playing the recorder requires little physical strength, so people can continue playing it well into old age. It is common for people who took recorder lessons in their youth to take up the instrument again later in life. A special course is organised twice a year for these “returning” adults.

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Individual or group lessons ▶

The lessons are individual. Group lessons and duo lessons are possible, depending on the availability of students.

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Structure and/or content of the lessons ▶

It is not difficult to produce sound from a recorder, but that does not mean that playing the recorder is “easy”. Important aspects of recorder playing, such as finger dexterity, tone production, articulation and playing posture, are therefore given ample attention. For advanced students, we naturally build on what the student already knows. During a (free) trial lesson, we discuss the student’s wishes and abilities. The recorder is very suitable for ensemble playing, and we also devote a lot of attention to this.

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