During my primary school years in England (almost 50years ago) recorders were it. I used to be kept in during morning and afternoon breaks to work on my handwriting. That's another story, caused by changing schools where different styles were taught. During those breaks the room was used for recorder practice. The sound of that out of time screeching still haunts me and I cringe whenever somebody produces a recorder at the folk club.

Recently I was chatting with a teacher from a secondary school here in Brisbane which apparently has a well regarded music curriculum. He has a large class learning ukelele but as well as that the students are building their own instruments first, of the "flying V" design.

Traditional or not, some changes in music are welcome!