Doctor Who Cuttings Archive

Patrick Troughton, Right or left-handed recorder player . . ?

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1968-09 Recorder Music p31.jpg

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EARLIER THIS YEAR keen-eyed recorder players might have spotted a photograph similar to the above in Radio Times which accompanied a feature introducing a new series of 'Dr Who' on BBC 1. Those with even keener eyesight might have also observed that the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) did not seem too happy about his fingering technique, apparently falling into the juvenile trap of reversing the position of his hands!

Radio Times reader D. E. Hull could not let this pass and wrote, good-humouredly:

I liked Dr Who playing a "left-handed" recorder. From where did the great Doctor obtain his instrument—from the Tardis? My seven-year-old daughter, struggling' with her "right-handed" recorder suggests Zebedee has something to do with it.'

However, in a letter which appeared in a later issue, Kenneth Blackman offered an explanation which exonerated Dr Who from blame:

'In reply to your correspondent D. E. Hull ... Dr Who was not playing a left-handed recorder! the negative of the photograph was printed in reverse. Examination of the double holes (for notes D, D sharp, C, C sharp) makes this quite clear. Incidentally, the earliest recorders often had holes made to suit either "left-handed" or "right-handed" players. The unwanted alternative holes were plugged with wax.'

We spoke to Patrick Troughton about his recorder playing. Modestly claiming he 'wasn't very good at it,' he seemed more concerned to tell us of the accomplishments of his two sons (Peter, aged 10, and Mark, 8) who had both had some success with their recorder, at a recent music festival.

The decision to make Mr Troughton the subject of our cover picture is obvious—he is so photogenic. And, after all, we have got him the right way round.

Disclaimer: These citations are created on-the-fly using primitive parsing techniques. You should double-check all citations. Send feedback to whovian@cuttingsarchive.org

  • APA 6th ed.: (Sept. 1968). Patrick Troughton, Right or left-handed recorder player . . ?. Recorder & Music Magazine p. 31.
  • MLA 7th ed.: "Patrick Troughton, Right or left-handed recorder player . . ?." Recorder & Music Magazine [add city] Sept. 1968, 31. Print.
  • Chicago 15th ed.: "Patrick Troughton, Right or left-handed recorder player . . ?." Recorder & Music Magazine, edition, sec., Sept. 1968
  • Turabian: "Patrick Troughton, Right or left-handed recorder player . . ?." Recorder & Music Magazine, Sept. 1968, section, 31 edition.
  • Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Patrick Troughton, Right or left-handed recorder player . . ? | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Patrick_Troughton,_Right_or_left-handed_recorder_player_._._%3F | work=Recorder & Music Magazine | pages=31 | date=Sept. 1968 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=28 March 2024 }}</ref>
  • Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Patrick Troughton, Right or left-handed recorder player . . ? | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Patrick_Troughton,_Right_or_left-handed_recorder_player_._._%3F | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=28 March 2024}}</ref>