Choosing a plastic alto recorder? This might help.

Choosing a plastic recorder.
I thought I'd try make a different type of video this time.
Perhaps you are trying to decide which plastic Alto recorder choose.
Here is my opinion in the top three plastic recorders on the market today.
I hope this helps.
I played an arrangement for alto recorder of the famous guitar solo from The Eagles hit song Hotel California. Not your typical recorder song, but fun to play.

[@535Salomon]

Hey there my friend, I received the recorders recently (1-1.5 weeks ago) and here is my review!!! The low notes on.. Ecodear: they are strong and deeper sounding. Zen On: Not as deep as the Ecodear but kind of light sounding. Aulos Haka: very reedy sounding and cool volume... the Ecodear is slightly more resonant. High notes on... Ecodear: very light, not piercing at all but the hardest for me to play 😅 the C# is a nightmare to play. Zen On: very easy to play, not piercing, not too loud but louder than Yamaha and they feel more responsive than the Ecodear. C# is easy to play. Aulos: sounds like a Csakan 😆 and they are easy to play compared to the Yamaha Ecodear:-) c# is easy. Whole register on... Ecodear: very nice for low notes performances, the high register is a challenge but also sounds cool. Zen On: the volume is very balanced which is good. Not overpowered Low or High register and easy to play high notes. Aulos: very reedy and sounds close to a dizi for me:-) the low and high register are balanced but the high register is a little but more overpowered. When it comes to how responsive the instrument is... 1st place: Zen On 2nd place: Aulos 3rd place: Ecodear But I can tell Aulos and Yamaha Ecodear are close but Aulos make it easier;) The grip or how easy is to get a good hold of the instrument I can say Aulos is the best one and Ecodear and Zen On are close 😆 When it comes to the appereance... Aulos is not shiny and has a wonderful wooden look. Zen On is shiny 🤣 Ecodear is similar to a yellow crayon. All of them are nice instruments honestly... give me some weeks so I can review my feedback again;) Cheers,

[@curlyrecorder386]

Wow, what a fantastic review my friend. I really appreciate the way you broke it down. A very enjoyable read I hope others read this comment as it is a great insight into these three recorders and I think very accurate 😀 Well done and I very much look forward to reading your future reviews. Thanks so much 🎶 😀 💗

[@535Salomon]

@@curlyrecorder386 I am glad you liked it:-) I hope people find it useful too.

[@jenskreibach9424]

I own the Aulos and the ZenOn recorder. I feel more comfortable on the ZenOn and to me it sounds better too.

[@535Salomon]

@@jenskreibach9424 yeah, I love my Zen On Alto for baroque stuff and the same for my Zen On Soprano and Aulos Haka Soprano :D

[@f1948s]

Awesome review and playing. Such a joy to listen to an altered version of an Eagle's tune. Very good. Loved it and am considering an alto. Thank you very much for the video.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thanks Franko S. So nice to get your comment ❤. It's great that you play the recorder too and you should definitely get an alto. Best wishes and Happy playing to you 👍😁🎶🎶🎶🎶😁

[@njackson8756]

You're a really good player and your video has helped me choose a new recorder. Thanks for posting!

[@curlyrecorder386]

So kind of you to take the time to comment @N Jackson. Best wishes with your new recorder and happy playing.

[@charlotteshepherd4908]

Thank you for this. I am new to your channel, but was very impressed. Very informative.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thank you so much 💓 @Charlotte Shepherd. So kind of you to take the time to comment.

[@ZvikaDror]

Watching this was awesome! Thanks for making this video, everything in it is right on the spot :) Cheers

[@curlyrecorder386]

Ah so good of you to say so. Thanks a million 😄

[@francisconascimento825]

Lovely played

[@Fremulshmat]

It’s great to see someone widening the scope of what can be played on recorder. Can you play any other famous guitar solos? How about the intro to stairway to heaven…I think that might be played on a soprano recorder (two). Baker Street would also be cool. Thanks again for posting.

[@curlyrecorder386]

@Fremulshmat. What a lovely comment. Thank you ☺️. Great suggestions too. Definitely will consider doing more guitar solos. Thanks again. Kindest regards and greetings from Ireland.👍🤗🎶🎶🎶🎶😀

[@BDixon-gt6tk]

Very nicely played! Informative and creative, love the song choice. For anyone who is handy with repairs, you can flatten the high D# by putting a little bit of epoxy in the bottom end of the lowest hole (the two half-holes), being careful not to use too much to avoid flattening the low G and F#. As a general rule, adding epoxy to the bottom (foot) end of holes affects the high notes, adding it to the top (beak) side affects the low notes. Making changes to one note often affects other notes as well, so retuning is somewhat of an art. The high D# is often sharp on many recorders, and the note below it, the high C# tends toward being flat. The proper fix for all of this is for the maker to undercut the holes, but this is not usually possible on mass produced machine made instruments. But these plastic instruments are quite good for the price, and all three demonstrated here are well worth owning. Thank you for the demonstration, Curly Recorder, much appreciated!

[@curlyrecorder386]

Great insight and knowledge. Thanks so much. I didn't know any of that. Really appreciate you sharing this. I'm sure this will be of interest to a lot of recorder players 😀

[@neilmoomey]

Very useful information thank you! Interesting you mentioned temperature because I've seen you play outside when it's chilly.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi Neil, thanks for your comment. Very observant of you. For the outdoor videos, I record the audio separately. 😀🥰👍

[@flootsky]

Wonderfully expressive playing as always and very helpful for anyone looking for a new alto. You make them all sound good but I would perhaps lean towards the Yamaha if I had to make a choice. Oops, there's an Aulos standing on the rack by my desk and I think it has just started to cry. :)

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thanks for comment flootsky. 😀 Lovely to hear from you as always.👍 Your poor Aulos🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sawdustcrypto3987]

Wonderful video! My only complaint is now I have the Eagles stuck in my head! 😆

[@curlyrecorder386]

Ah, I'm sorry😂😂😂😂 Thanks for your comment @ Sawdust& Crypto 👍😊🤗🎶🎶🎶😀

[@user-gi1ex7sv4b]

I think so too‼️ I have that 3recorders.And I like Aulos Haka Alt No1‼️ Your recorder performance is very beautiful and sensitive 🎉

[@curlyrecorder386]

It is super that you are a recorder player too. Great you enjoy the haka. Thanks for taking the time to comment and best wishes and happy playing.

[@bridgettemiller3552]

Will you kindly post up the music you adapted to the track as I'd love to play it

[@petercane6376]

With your virtuosity you do not need any accompaniment. You did fantastic with just the drums. Darn it ! I have just bought the Yamaha 300 series Alto recorder in ABS resin? It came with a heap of books all new unused so I went for it. Thanks for your vid.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Lovely to get your comments. Thanks so much. Sounds like you will have plenty of happy hours playing ahead. Enjoy.

[@donaldmacmillan3198]

Hi great video thanks! 👍. I have an Aulos alto, that I picked up at a car boot just a week ago … I think that I mentioned already to you in a comment on your ‘Sound of silence’ video …. Looking at aulos altos on Internet I can’t tell what model it is and there’s no clues on the instrument. I have to assume it’s an older model …. Anyway, my daughter’s clarinet teacher is trying to find out what model it is, I doubt it’s a Haka 😜. I’m still very much at the beginning of my alto recorder journey …. Thanks again! ❤️

[@curlyrecorder386]

Lovely to get your comment Donald. You are right, it's probably an older model if there are no clear model numbers on it. I see music runs in your family with your daughter playing clarinet. Nice to find a recorder in a car boot sale . Happy playing and thanks again @Donald Macmillan.

[@Springer5]

Nice playing. I like the sound of the Aulos Haka best. But they all sound great.

[@curlyrecorder386]

@springer5. Thanks for your comment. Really appreciate it. The haka is a super recorder alright. 👍🤗🎶🎶🎶🎶😀

[@SuddenUpdraft]

Thank you very much! Even though I live in a major metropolitan area in California, there are no shops to actually see and hear a number of recorders in person. I’ve listened to this several times, and like you, I prefer the Haka.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi @Susanne Raynard. So lovely to get your comment. Wishing you happy playing and greetings from Ireland 🤗🎶🤗🎶🤗

[@SuddenUpdraft]

@@curlyrecorder386 The Haka arrived, and it didn’t take me long to realize I was going to injure my right hand by the stretching. Also, the sharp edges of the holes were irritating to my fingers. So, it’s going back and I’ll be getting a soprano instead. I’ve been investigating pear wood and maple, hoping that the the holes will be less sharp. I’m 68, so I have to be careful about the potential injury from stretching, especially since I also play piano.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi Susanne. Oh, how disappointing for you but definitely not worth getting injured especially as you play piano too. You can look forward to getting a new soprano recorder now. I have had both maple and pear wood recorders. I enjoyed both woods, very similar. Best of luck with all your recorder endeavours and I really enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you so much Susanne.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

#85. Mar.18/2023. This is rare? There's one other that withholds speaking I'm familiar with. Fine production with a very accomplished artist.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Lovely to get your comment. Thanks so much.

[@f1948s]

You got me. I decided I will go ahead and buy the Aulos Haka instead of the Yamaha Ecodear due to so many reviews that I have read. Is the Aulos you are playing the model #A709B? Thank you for any information. Looking forward to hearing from you. Have a great day.

[@curlyrecorder386]

That's great Franko S .lovely to get your comment. I hope you enjoy your new recorder. Best wishes and Happy playing to you.

[@dailyhacks4634]

I like the sound of a tenor , but yiur alto sounds amazing 😍

[@curlyrecorder386]

@dailyhacks4634. Thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoy the sound of the recorder.

[@jseligmann]

You play beautifully! For sure the Yamaha is the way to go; I've got three of them, I'm not sure why, but they can just plain sing... better, even, than my two wooden ones. Go figure. Thank you!

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thanks for your comment Joel. I often find too that my Yamaha singes better than my wooden recorders. Happy playing Joel 🤗🎶🎶🎶🎶🥰

[@baroquer]

I was desperate, when I realised that my beloved 30yo Yamaha alto series 300 sounds better than very expensive BRESSAN by Blezinger (boxwood)

[@jseligmann]

@@baroquer The subject of material arises again and again, especially when it comes to flutes, recorders and saxophone mouthpieces. It's all about construction and not about what material is used. The material's sound difference (wood, plastic, gold, brass, silver, platinum, etc,) is slight and may mean far more to the player than the listener. But it's all about the music, and what sings/plays best.

[@TaVolkova]

A lot of thanks for your review! :) You are great recorder player ❤ Ok, I have ordered the Aulos Haka 709BW))) will try it (the wooden mollenhauer denner doesn't let me play longer than 10-15 min)

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy playing the Haka @TaVolkova.😁🎶🎶🎶😄

[@TaVolkova]

@@curlyrecorder386 , yeees!)) It's really cool recorder!)) The sound is rich and clear. I like it very much!))

[@curlyrecorder386]

That's fantastic. Wishing you all the best and happy playing.

[@TaVolkova]

@@curlyrecorder386 , Thank you a lot! :))) Wish you the same!)) Your videos are super! :)

[@curlyrecorder386]

So kind 😁 Thanks 🙏

[@luckybarrel7829]

Thank you! Can I request you to share sheet music on MuseScore or something! I really loved this one!

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi Lucky. Lovely to get your comment. Thank you so much. 💓 For this eagles song I did not use sheet music, I just practiced playing along with the original Eagles track until I came up with something that fitted nicely on the recorder. I didn't write anything down. So sorry. A few have asked for the sheetmusic so I hopefully will write some notes and add it to the description in the near future. Wishing you happy recorder playing and greetings from Ireland.

[@luckybarrel7829]

@@curlyrecorder386 No worries, thanks. I'll look forward to it. I'm currently planning on buying a Yamaha alto. I'm confused between the ecodear and the black one. I have the cheapest yamaha one (totally white straight, not curved windway). It is really bad in the highest register. So I was thinking of buying the other better and costlier models with the curved windways. Which has a better sound in your opinion? The ecodear one or the usual black one?

[@curlyrecorder386]

I really like the ecodear. It's always exciting to get a new recorder. Best of luck.

[@luckybarrel7829]

@@curlyrecorder386 Thank you so much! I've obsessed with this a bit too much and needed a pro opinion.

[@GeorgiePorgieish]

Thanks for this video. I don’t suppose you know what the recorder in this video is called? I just love the sound of it and would love to learn the recorder using this. Many thanks

[@GeorgiePorgieish]

Sorry, forgot to add the link -m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmOUcpqMq7tkjs0

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi Georgie. It has a beautiful sound alright. Thanks for sharing but it's not a recorder. It is more like a low whistle. Hope you find the answer you are looking for. Sorry I'm not more helpful. Kindest regards and happy playing.😁🎶🎵☺️🎵🙏❤️

[@julien23lastchristmas2]

Bravo ! Curly 👏👏👏

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thank you so much.🎶🎶🎶🎶🤗

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thanks for subscribing. Much appreciated 😊

[@bernhardkirchner5447]

Aulos for the win! have enjoyed my alto tenor and F bass Aulos plastic recorders for over 3 decades, have had my Yamaha soprano for 5 decades, and I also have a Yamaha sopranino, nicknamed it "squeaky "

[@palavoyz]

Hi can you do a review or test of the other yamaha alto 300 series yra-314b2?

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi and thanks for your comment. Yes, I will do a review of this recirder in the near future. Greetings and best wishes to you ❤.

[@baroquer]

The best of the best. You can't go wrong with YRA-300 puppies♥

[@raulacevedo-esteves9493]

Great video! Can you give some tips on transposing music to F?

[@curlyrecorder386]

Great question. Apologies for my delay in responding. I find that trying to move from descant to alto is very confusing at first but it helped me not to look at as transposing, but just new fingering for the same note. I will always think in descant fingering so if u say "g" to me , that means three fingers and my thumb so to help my brain not feel too muddled up I don't allow myself to name the notes when playing alto. I just practice the correct fingering for alto and with practice one gets used to it.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Sorry for long winded answer and it's also not helpful but it is just what helped me. Wishing you happy playing and all the best. 🙏🎵🎶🎶🎶☺️C

[@MarcelO_Simple_Note]

Is anyone know the difference between the Aulos Haka Alto and Aulos Symphony Alto?

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi. Good question. 😁I'm not sure what the exact difference is. I will have to look into it and get back to you Perhaps someone might like to share their knowledge with us. Thanks.

[@andrewgoodall2183]

Bought the Yam. Thx for that :)

[@curlyrecorder386]

@Andrew Goodall. That's great. Wishing you lots of happy playing 🤗🎶🎶🎶😀

[@535Salomon]

Soon I will have the Aulos Haka and Zen On bressan alto 😎 so far I only have the Ecodear Alto and Soprano, the Zen On soprano and the keyless Aulos 🥰

[@curlyrecorder386]

That sounds like a fantastic collection. Thanks for sharing. ENJOY👍🥰🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@535Salomon]

@@curlyrecorder386 I will probably write a review about it here:-) thanks!!!

[@curlyrecorder386]

I look forward to that.👍😀

[@caucatunhien488]

Can you specify the aulos haka code, I want to buy one.🥰

[@curlyrecorder386]

Aulos 709W Haka Alto recorder. Hope this helps.

[@caucatunhien488]

@@curlyrecorder386 Thank you! Wishing you lots of fun and lots of good music💐💖

[@bridgettemiller3552]

Love the review but im a haka lady. I find the eco too thin compared to the warm woof of the haka

[@curlyrecorder386]

Greetings and Happy playing 🎵

[@baroquer]

Agree. In my eyes (ears!), the Ecodear is a failure

[@DanielHay]

I had to ask... you play right hand on top but you don't sound like any problems with the double holes on the lowest two notes.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi Daniel. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I play with my left hand on the top . It is just a mirror image when recording. Do you play recorder too? Greetings from Ireland and best wishes. 😀👍🎶🎶🎶🎶👍😀

[@JennyoftheNorth]

Curly, are you holding your recorder differently, or is the video transposing the image?

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi Jenny. I am holding it the normal way with my left hand on top but my camera did indeed record like a mirror image. Thanks for your question ☺️

[@1cleandude]

Can you please give me the model number on back of recorder? Thanks 🙏

[@curlyrecorder386]

Do you mean the Aulos Haka? The model number is 709B-E

[@1cleandude]

@@curlyrecorder386 Yes I do thanks so much and beautiful playing too!🙏🙏🙏

[@curlyrecorder386]

No probs. Thanks for your lovely comment 😊

[@BevMattocks]

I own all 3 !

[@curlyrecorder386]

Super 👍👍👍👍 Wishing you happy playing and greetings from Ireland.

[@Michajeru]

I think I prefer the tone of Ecodear.

[@curlyrecorder386]

😀 The Ecodear has a lovely tone. Thanks for comment 😀 👍

[@baroquer]

I was so disappointed (dull and anemic sound). Using my ill-fated Ecodear for practicing only

[@mattfangrecorderstudio8325]

I love the ecodears

[@curlyrecorder386]

Yes. A lovely recorder to play. Thanks Matt for taking the time to comment 🙂

[@mattfangrecorderstudio8325]

@@curlyrecorder386 full love fromna recorder player🙂🙂🙂

[@elijaguy]

Also triebert recorders are very good.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thank you for that @Eli Guy. I don't have any Triebert recorders yet but hopefully will try one in the future. Best wishes to you 🤗

[@QarlKittyOrgan]

Iove this music performance, my friend. I'll see you again

[@curlyrecorder386]

So kind. Thank you 😊 💓

[@Arczii1337]

Haka or Ecodear for very beginner adult?

[@curlyrecorder386]

Hi @ Arczil. In my opinion, I would choose Haka as it is easy to produce a clean sound. Thanks for your question and hope this helps 🙂🙂🙂

[@Arczii1337]

@@curlyrecorder386 One week ago I started my recorder journey with Aulos sopranino. Love it but have to change to alto one bc... my neighbours will kill me :D Tbh sound of Ecodear is closer to my heart but... with my none skills probably I am unable to use it properly. I have to trust profesional player so... I think I will follow your opinion about Haka.

[@curlyrecorder386]

Best wishes with starting the recorder. That's great 👍👍👍👍 As you have never played Alto before, you will just get used to whatever recorder you choose so if you prefer the Ecodear, just follow your heart. If you like the sound, you'll enjoy it more. Best of luck and wishes you happy playing.

[@baroquer]

AULOS 709 Haka is unbeatable...and practically the same goes to Aulos 509 _(which has more focused, balanced and louder sound)_ Haka is probably THE best sounding factory-line ABS resin Alto recorder in existence _(resonant, responsive, LOVELY over-tones...)_ Yamaha Ecodear Alto = dull and characterless _(purchase regretted)_ ...but the Ecodear Soprano is MUCH better and worthy to get Zen-On Bressan = deja vu / no surprises * I own all of them

[@curlyrecorder386]

Thanks for your comment.🤗👍

[@baroquer]

@@curlyrecorder386 You welcome, our Curly Angel

[@manuelfranciscoflores]

aulus sound is great

[@curlyrecorder386]

Yes, thanks 👍

[@lilliansullivan5867]

I'm an absolute hack. Interesting: my ranking is exactly the same!

[@curlyrecorder386]

Super. Thanks for your comment 🙂 You know what they say, "great minds think alike 🤣

[@afina_greyman]

Первая более разносторонняя. Последняя больше для медленной или грустной музыки

[@curlyrecorder386]

большое спасибо за то, что нашли время, чтобы прокомментировать. Я согласен. извините за медленный ответ на ваш комментарий. С наилучшими пожеланиями и наилучшими пожеланиями из Ирландии.

[@Clarionetist]

Great comparison. Aulos Haka is also my favorite, and the only one I play, even though I have a Bernolin resin alto and a Mollenhauer modern alto. I added a bell key to my Aulos Haka to make it easy to play high F# and A: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHzMfaJplMtqabc

[@curlyrecorder386]

Lovely to get your comment. I am delighted you play recorder too. The bell key is a great idea for those extra high notes. Thanks so much . Regards, best wishes and Happy playing 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶