Only one in six children learning recorder after drop in popularity over decade

Only around one in six children now learns the recorder after a decline in its popularity over the past decade, a new report suggests.

However, the paper by the ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, suggests the range of instruments now being taught is “widening”.

The study compares the results of a new survey of more than 1,000 children aged five to 17 with research carried out by the charity previously.

It reveals that 16% of children said they played the recorder in 2024, down from 28% in 2014.

The report said: “Instrument choice and the range of instruments taught by music teachers is widening, reflecting both a shift in learner tastes and the need for music teachers to respond to this.”

Piano

The piano and keyboard remain the most popular instruments that children learn to play, but the electric guitar, drums, flute, violin and ukulele have also become more popular among young people compared with previous years.

Overall, 17% of children said they play the electric guitar, up from 13% in 2014, and 15% of children play the flute, up from just 7% in 2014, the report found.

Shifts are “likely to reflect trends in instrumental tuition at school”, as well as a wider range of instruments being offered by private music teachers, it added.

The report said the recorder is one of the most “given up” instruments.

Piano (16%), keyboard (13%) and recorder (11%) are the most common instruments that respondents said they previously played but no longer do.

Singing

ABRSM chief executive Chris Cobb said: “Children get to play an instrument for the first time in large classes.

“The recorder has been great for that but schools are now looking at other instruments that can be used – the ukulele and acoustic guitar among them. Singing is also a key part of whole-class music-making.”

He added: “The mental health benefits of music are hugely important at a time when mental illness is so rife but there are so many other benefits too.

“The tragedy is that the same research shows how young people disengage from music learning, both when they shift to secondary school and when they start GCSEs.

“The challenge facing us all is how we can support schools and the communities around them to help young people continue experiencing the benefits of music.”