The Recorder is one of the oldest flutes around that's still in use. The Recorder is one the main reasons the Ocarina lost much of its hold over the m...usical domain. It grew to its greatest popularity during the Renaissance. The modern flute we use today like the Recorder's younger brother- both were developed side by side historically. The soprano Recorder is the most common one used today. One can say that playing the Recorder remains as one of the easier things to do among the woodwind instruments.