Q&A for How to Make a Carrot Recorder

Nope! The thumb hole is there so you can change the octave. If you add the thumb hole on the bottom, you'll effectively double the number of notes you can play. Still, if you only care about the 5-7 notes on top, you don't need to add the thumb hole.

The holes actually don't impact the quality of the sound all that much; they only change the tone of the note. If you aren't getting sound, one of two things is wrong. Either the hole running through the middle of the carrot isn't perfectly cylindrical or the window you cut into the top of the recorder is too big. Try again but make sure you use a drill bit to hollow out the carrot instead of a knife. For the window, take your time, keep it on the smaller side, and don't cut out too much of the carrot.

Carrots have irregular shapes, meaning it can be more difficult to get a clear note. Try selecting a very straight, round, and even carrot to make it easier to get a clear note.

The holes on the recorder need to be positioned in the right place in order for it to work. The spacings are the resonance nodes and are dependent on the internal diameter opening. Wooden recorders have holes placed about a finger-width apart. Too close or too far apart and it will not work. Start with a finger width apart. Test a hole, and plug it up with a small piece of carrot if it does not work. Repeat.

Yes, some recorders are actually made from clay and sound perfectly fine. Of course, the material it’s made from will affect the sound.

Carrots can generally be kept in the refrigerator for 3 - 4 weeks before going bad. The carrot recorder, that has been hollowed out and used will probably not last more than a week. Discard the recorder immediately if it shows signs of going bad or is no longer playable.