Getting started on bass recorder! | Team Recorder

Get started on the bass recorder! I explain how to choose an instrument, the difference between the sizes, how to read the music, what books/repertoire to play… and I also bestow you with 8 top tips that will take your far!
Of course I can’t fit everything in one video, and I’m already thinking of lots of other pieces and books and things that I didn’t mention - if you can think of something you want to share, please do so :)
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THINGS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO
▶ Yamaha plastic basset tinyurl.com/ljuzls6
▶ Yamaha wooden basset tinyurl.com/mdeuyp6
There are also bass recorders by makers including Kung, Mollenhauer and Moeck!
▶ Woodwind sling tinyurl.com/m7yjfgv
▶ Workshop bass recorder book tinyurl.com/h3kv7kl
▶ The bass recorder handbook tinyurl.com/kzxu3y7
▶ Five pieces for bass recorder tinyurl.com/mcsme49
▶ Database of contemporary music www.blokfluit.org
Don't forget to check out my other videos, and subscribe to my channel for more tutorials on the recorder, being a freelance musician and music teaching! A new video will be posted every week.
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Website: www.sarahjeffery.com
Twitter/Instagram @sockmyshoe
Go #teamrecorder

[@nateblack972]

The bass recorder in "The Mandalorian" theme song brought me here. Never heard of this instrument before today. Impressive sound.

[@scheids4444]

Nate Black A man of culture I see.

[@WedgeOfSpite]

Me as well. Mandalorian is why I even knew about Baroque Recorders, and I'm glad I found this channel, because it's super cool, and Sarah is amazing.

[@jrrd997]

Ha - same.

[@ByroGaming]

Nate Black same here!! I found Sarah from her Mandalorian episode.

[@francistaylor5097]

Me too! I actually have the Yamaha plastic model and haven't played it for about 20 years.

[@Mr5stringBob]

I've been a bass guitarist for 38 years. Suddenly I'm fascinated with the bass recorder. Think I'm gonna get one and learn how to play it, I do remember playing a soprano in elementary school and remember some of the fingering.

[@laurelcook9078]

I was a violinist in middle school but i honestly love the recorder. My high school doesn't do music because it's a STEM school but I can still do things on my free time.

[@bsharpmajorscale]

Which is a shame, because a lot of the great scientific minds were also involved with music in some capacity.

[@isabelstossel8690]

I also play the violin for a long time and I fell in love with the recorder for a couple of month😊

[@brownbear4219]

@@bsharpmajorscale And as a STEM teacher, I agree! And I have had students design and build a variety of instruments.

[@uhhhd1157]

honestly i dont play recorder but i love ur videos

[@FranciscoCunha2004]

Same here

[@Hiroyuki_T]

Lol same

[@techeddie9035]

Same! I do (try to) play the clarinet, though.

[@eeekaa6183]

Another good book to learn Bass (basset) is this one that a few of us have enjoyed a lot as it introduces reading bass clef & playing with very nice little pieces: Rosemary McGillvray: Mrs. McGillivray's Welcome - A Bass Recorder Tutor with a Scottish Flavour. (Hawthorns Music, pub.)

[@lucyhinds8102]

I often use my basset like a bass guitar. My husband, who is a bass guitarist, writes out a good bassline for me and then we play basset and ukulele duets. Last week we did Oh I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside! Nicer than it sounds!

[@ocarinaplaya]

Did I luck out? I got a 5 set recorder ensemble for 80 bucks on amazon a couple years ago. It included the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor and basset. Yamaha brand (or a knock-off). Sounds good either way.

[@jgvtc559]

@@Kojirakage harmony set of 5 right now on Amazon under 300

[@jgvtc559]

@@Kojirakage a yamaha set of 4 with case 175

[@tinaartzer4516]

Same but mine was 200

[@Hiroyuki_T]

Well someone got em all for 50 bucks from craigslist lol. Hes lucky that it was authentic Yamaha. It was from a girl moving

[@kagamikagami]

"what instrument do you play?" Ah yes, I play *plumbing pipe*

[@user-fs2kh6lw4i]

oboe!

[@neaituppi7306]

69 likes, never change.

[@AstralS7orm]

That's the alto and contra-alto flute, not a bass recorder.

[@julieng9640]

or railing pillar :)

[@silverjohn6037]

Didgeridoo has entered Plumbing Pipe as a Musical Instrument Chat Channel: Amateurs;).

[@bsharpmajorscale]

With the top on, it's almost like playing a giant pepper grinder. :P

[@samecoff2788]

I've wanted a bass recorder for years. This video pushed me over the edge. Happy to buy one using your links. Thanks so much!

[@hayleyturnau9762]

I just got a bass recorder for Christmas and I love it 😂

[@daviddewilde3310]

Hayley Turnau what brand and type did you get?

[@hayleyturnau9762]

@@daviddewilde3310 I got the Yamaha Basset just as a starter! I play other instruments and i thought this would be fun to try, so like the video said, this is a good beginner one to get! it plays really well and if you order it on amazing, it comes with a cleaning rod, grease, and a neck strap

[@smokedsalmon8280]

No slapp, no bass

[@redncurlybell]

I would love to get to play a bass recorder one day. I played the flute in grade school, and as I had a clarinet at home, my friend taught me to play the clarinet, so... in High School, when we had TONS of flutes, I decided to go to the bass clarinet, as they needed them, and well... I was ready for a changed. I LOVED IT! So... would love to give one of these beauties a go. However I just need to get back to the descant and alto now. (I'm SO rusty after not playing for YEARS.) I'm so appreciative of your channel. I wish I knew of it years ago! I ADORE the recorder, and have been watching many of your video's just to catch up. Keep up the GREAT work Sarah! You are truly gifted, and sooo sooo appreciated!

[@otoskope]

Thanks for this! I just got a used Heinrich maple bass (basset) recorder for cheap, as an addition to my collection - which previously only went down to tenor size. I played the recorder and flute as a child, and as a (mostly electronic) composer I have many times used flutes/recorders from my collection as sound sources for various experiments, and sometimes even live! This video was a great intro to my new instrument. Have watched a lot of your other videos, too. Very good all of it.

[@dannmitton]

Hi Sarah! So happy to come across your channel. Love this overview, so clear and succinct. Thanks for adding to the body of reliable info online!! :)

[@osbo25]

I have a Zen-On bass, in cherry wood. It is direct blow only, and it is made in cherry wood, which makes it incredibly light. I play in a small ensemble that primarily plays at Christmastime for a local college's Madrigal Dinners, but we are working on expanding our playing time over the course of this year.

[@gardeniainbloom812]

Thoroughly enjoyed this and as always very informative. We're so lucky.

[@jennyren47]

For those like me with weak hands or a dodgy neck you can buy a bass spike from Barrett recorders which can be fitted to any bass including plastic ones. I have one on my Thomann bass and it's really the only way I could play bass. If you want to try bass without too much initial expense the Thomann is currently about £84 and many people recommend it. The Thomann appears identical to the Early Music shop bass at around £150 and both are remarkably similar in appearance to the Yamaha at around £250.

[@thebigloc1]

jennyren47 I just ordered a Thomann bass about an hour ago. It cost €99 plus €15 for postage. It gets really good reviews and fingers crossed 🤞 it is as good as the reviews say it is. I have limited neck movement due to back and disc problems and very small hands, baby fingers have some bone missing.

[@user-sc2ov1cy5r]

I love it. I get bass recorder this time. Now I receive sunday morning time. Thank you wonderful play and presentation.

[@AristotleBabyBottle]

斑目武 do you like it?

[@brentusfirmus]

I bought a Moeck bass with a bent neck about 15 years ago and still love it. It has the most beautiful top G of any recorder I've played!

[@hakneyj]

Really enjoy your videos because they are full of common sense and practical tips.

[@robynrox]

Before I saw this channel, I didn't have a recorder... now I have a sopranino, a soprano, an alto and a tenor... And you're STILL trying to spend more of my money! lol

[@EleneDOM]

I'm relieved to hear Sarah recommend the Yamaha plastic basset, as I've been considering ordering one.

[@YANAGITAtokinori]

I will start playing bass recorder. When I bought plastic recorder, I learned much from your video.

[@vivianleenet]

Sarah, do you recommend the bent neck, top blown, or bocal style bass recorders? Is there a difference in their tonal qualities and uses? How does embouchure differ between the three?

[@mihaelamack1770]

Sarah, what an amazing video! I love the bass(et)! (We call it bass in the US). it's probably my favorite. I'd like to share a book that's very good. It's called Playing the Bass recorder by Helmut Monkemeyer. Right away it gets you acquainted with playing the instrument in both bass and treble clef. From the very first page the treble clef equivalent is shown side by side with the bass clef. Some of the pieces are written in treble clef and you get to constantly switch clefs which is a great skill and when getting used to it from the very beginning you don't find it challenging any more. Also, playing bass in treble clef gives you the skills necessary to play alto up.

[@camusmonamour]

merci beaucoup Sarah pour tes vidéos qui sont toujours un régales !

[@taforacho5693]

I play oboe and saxophone, but your channel is so cute and fun that you’ve convinced me to try out the recorder! 😁😁

[@zsuzsakatahorvath7203]

Hi Sarah, I have found your video an excellent starting point with lots of valuable information; thank you. My daughter has recently started to play the bass recorder and I am a bassoonist myself, and I hope that the readers will find information about plastic instrument choice and repertoire helpful: Among plastic instruments I have not tried Yamaha plastic bass and the reason for this was that we use Aulos in other sizes, and I learned from John Everingham at Saunders Recorders that in a consort of plastic recorders Aulos instruments do not blend so well with Yamahas. I also learned from John that Aulos sopranino 507 B-E, Aulos descant 205A, Aulos Treble 309A, Aulos Tenor 511B and Dolmetsch Nova Bass makes an excellent plastic consort. I have compared Dolmetsch Tenor and Aulos Tenor and thought Aulos sounds much warmer than Dolmetsch Nova. I also compared Dolmetsch Nova Bass and Aulos Bass, and found Dolmetsch bass has a warmer tone with better intonation and more even sound along the whole compass of the instrument. For a plastic bass I would recommend Dolmetsch Nova if you are planning to play with Aulos instruments or for solo. Unfortunately I have not tried any wooden models, therefore I cannot comment on that. An addition to the use of the bass recorder:: The bass recorder is an excellent transition instrument if one plans to go on the bassoon. The very reason for this is that so many of the first notes learned on the bassoon and bass recorder are fingered and notated in the same way. Therefore your bassoon pupil will already be familiar with bass clef reading and fingering when trying to master new embouchure on a double reed instrument. As a bassoonist I found many pieces in the beginner Mini-bassoon (tenoroon) books would suit the bass recorder; should you already happen to use Meister Lampes Fagottinioschule by Oliver Hasenzahl or Lehr- und Spielbuch fuer Fagottino und Fagott by Christoph Peter or Mini bassoon books by Anselma Veit (please note it is only the sheet music you will be able to use, not the CDs since the Minibassoons are tuned differently to bassoons or bass recorders), you can select many pieces to be played on the bass recorder. As a recorder teacher you could potentially borrow these books from your bassoonist colleague to experiment with new repertoire. I hope this information is useful.

[@curiositydrawsme9180]

Zsuzsa Kata Horvath Thank you for being so thorough in your explanation of why you chose the Aulos basset. I’m in the beginning stages of researching which (plastic) basset would be best suited to my needs. I play Yamaha baroque soprano/alto/tenor, so the news that the Aulos and Yamahas might not play well together is useful information. I play informally with other musicians and am usually the only recorder in the room (though there are sometimes pennywhistlers and bagpipers when I play traditional folk music). I’d like to aim for an instrument that will work well for me for years to come, as I expand my skill set and play with new groups of musicians. I’ll look into the Dolmetsch as well. Thanks again!

[@tristanrush5526]

I recently got a Frederick Basset. It's a plastic instrument, but I quite like it. It is slightly sharp, but easy to tune. The F/F# keys have an obscene amount of resistance; however, I've gained pinkie muscle, and no longer have a problem with it. It came in last Friday, and I am playing it with my violin student at his recital on Saturday. I wasn't planning to, but he convinced me haha. My main recorder is the Tenor, which is an antique (but still in tune and well voiced) Hohner.

[@jebatman756]

Just got a bass recorder. It’s the only recorder I ever wanted to play. It’s badass

[@BakedLime]

Again a great video with useful information, I keep on watching them even though I don’t play the recorder myself. As for the tips when switching to basset: when I switched to bassoon I found some apps to practice bass clef (there are plenty of music reading apps to choose from), that really worked for me because I could use it whenever I had a few minutes to spare.

[@beatesetzer2441]

BakedLime please do share!

[@FabioFaddaArtInBroker]

dear Sarah, I have a Hohner F Basset, and I am quite happy with it! It has a very warm sound 😄

[@faranakghomi3461]

I don't know why, but I love this video of yours. I already watched it three time😍

[@mackenlyparmelee5440]

Thank you Sarah. I'm now addicted to the recorder

[@denadavis7939]

PLEASE do something like this for the Paetzold. I know you have videos on the P, but they don't start from the absolute basics--like how to put the damned thing together, how to hold it while playing, etc.

[@YAMAHAPSR800]

yesterday i got a bass recorder and your tipps are really nice!

[@user-tc8nw9bg7j]

I have a Moeck Rondo basset - it's very similar to Sarah's Yamaha basset, you can blow it directly or put on a cap and crook and it has a lovely warm sound and is made for ensemble playing

[@darpope2752]

I have just found you! The recorder has always had a magical appeal for me. When I was a wee lad I destroyed a vinyl album of the Brandenburg Concertos performed on a recorder and lute by playing it over, and over, and over... In 1965 I thought I heard a recorder playing on the outro of a Beatles' song "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away". I was disappointed to see it was a flute, went I went to see the movie "Help", but I still loved the sound of the guitars, and the wind instrument (With apologies to George Martin, I think it would have sounded better with a richer sounding woodwind recorder). THEN, in 1971, along comes Led Zeppelin, and the intro to, "Stairway to Heaven". Please confirm for me that was a Baroque "C" recorder playing along with the guitar. ALSO, had the outro of "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" been played on a recorder, would that have to have been a tenor recorder?

[@PabloM02]

Thanks for the book recommendations! There are also some nice Bach pieces arranged for bass recorder on IMSLP. I used to play basset in an "ensemble" and you made me miss those days!

[@Team_Recorder]

Aw thanks! If you have links for those Bach pieces do share, I'm very curious :)

[@PabloM02]

Sure: imslp.org/wiki/16_Arrangements_for_Bass_Recorder_(Bach,_Johann_Sebastian) Trevor Boyd also linked to more of Perry's scores for bass recorder in the comments.

[@barell007]

Such a Wonderful Speaker and you are my favorite Musician. Thank You for your posts and very insightful Tips section Sarah Jeffery. TTFN.

[@sleepydrJ]

I absolutely love my Kung Superio cherry bass- it has gorgeous tone and it speaks really well all the way up to high G. They may look like a chimera of a saxophone/recorder, but I'm a convert and I love the more comfortable position for the bent neck bass recorders. I think articulation is much cleaner without a bocal, and there is never condensation, plus they are more ergonomic than a straight direct blow recorder. For sound comparison, in our consort there's a clear difference between the plastic and wood basses. I think it's more obvious than with an alto. I also have the kung superio great bass, again with a direct blow. In that model, they have made the bent section asymmetric, and it can be flipped depending on if you are short or tall- this makes a huge difference! The finger reach is a bit harder than on the F bass, but still really well designed to be as comfortable as possible. And never any drippy bocal. Sound is gorgeous and warm.

[@Paulski25]

I wholeheartedly agree. Together with greatbass and contrabass King has the best basses in the current market. Yes, Moeck and Yamaha have the 415 middle piece as a option, but they lack the full sound of the Kung. The dream bass also has a similar sound experience, but when I had to make a choice, King was better. The full sound is everything. Now I am looking for a bass in 415 with similar sound experience, any ideas?

[@johngiunta5033]

Very nice presentation, thank you for posting.

[@katalinszebenyi3216]

Thank you so much for your help with the high C#. We're playing parts from Die Kunst der Fuge tomorrow, and the bass line goes all the way up to high D, so it's a bit of a challenge as a first piece on the bass recorder. I'm playing on a Yamaha plastic one, borrowed from a music school, but after your video, and the experience of playing the bass line, I might consider actually buying a wooden one.

[@KKIcons]

I wish there was a video of that? I would love to hear an A of F on recorder consort!

[@MegaJo1971]

Thank you so much for the high C# fingering! I have been looking for an easier voicing for some of my ensemble work.

[@tobydwyer5602]

Thanks Sarah. I've have a bassett recorder lying around for a while, but it doesnt seem to play higher than b in the upper register. With your tips, I'll try changing my breathing and see how that works. My daughter is learning cello so it would be lovely to accompany her on the bass. Just need to relearn the bass clef. I love your enthusiasm, I found you via Twosetviolin. Toby, Western Australia

[@beatesetzer2441]

I learn so much from your videos !any links for practising the base clef would be great!I have a wooden moeck which I play without the crook and with a sling!

[@elandII]

I have a Yamaha bass recorder and this really helps

[@Londrer]

Hi! I have a question, when you showed the high C#, the first position had that little overblown effect. It's been a pain for me. Soon after you gave the ending position using the 5, 6 and 7th holes. Can I use this as my main high C# or I should keep trying out the other? Thanks for the video! Really helpful

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

Almost a year later and I got my bass recorder. Getting used to it now!

[@garbagepailkids81]

I have no experience playing recorders but I really like the bass recorder. I’m strongly considering getting one! Thank you for the information!

[@Team_Recorder]

Oohhh do it!

[@garbagepailkids81]

@@Team_Recorder update: I got a tenor recorder!! A Yamaha Tenor YRT-304B2.

[@janeriley8063]

Thank you, Sarah. I have found using a floor spike for the bass recorder very useful. It lessens the pressure on your right thumb and enables you to play in comfort for much longer. Barrett recorders and Loebner recorders sell them.

[@fwengsolutions]

Hi Jane can I ask how this works? Does the "spike" go into the hole in the end of the barrel? If so wouldn't that alter the sound? I'm trying to make one for my partner but I can't figure out how they are made.

[@chrismarriott6132]

@@fwengsolutions No, it has a ring which clamps around the outside of the instrument, so the spike is offset from the recorder.

[@BoxyMelody]

thank you for the wonderful explanation!

[@A-Wa]

so many sizes! omg didn’t expect that

[@angelapianomusicstudio3816]

Just got this Yamaha bass. Thanks for the tips, particularly the 2nd octave c# fingering. Reminds me when in doubt, try a fingering that works on bassoon. Any thoughts or preferences on bocal versus direct blow? Thanks for all you do!

[@neaituppi7306]

There is also the Seabass. That one kicks ass.

[@willemkossen]

Great info. A thing i do a lot is play the cello part of basso continuo accompaniment of baroque recorder pieces on my basset together with my daughter on alto. I want to video that some time too.

[@StandhartengerTV]

Thanks for these fantastic useful videos, I'm not really a recorder player, but have to learn the bass to perform a vocal piece and I was wondering what your take on second-hand wooden bass recorders is?

[@anepictree]

Thanks for that, fantastic. I have just ordered the Autos 533B Symphony basset, and will receive it next Thursday - Can't wait, thanks for the idea of practicing base clef on my Alto whilst waiting! :-) I'll add a comment about how I find it once I have had it a few days.

[@edeka3]

How do you like the Aulos 533B? I'm planning to get it!

[@anepictree]

@@edeka3 I am very happy with it. I really like the way it looks, feels and sounds - very good value and comes well packaged in a great case

[@paolodemartini88]

Hello Sarah and congratulations for your talent and your great skill in playing the recorders. Also, in your KZbin channel, you explain with great clarity and humor all that is useful in playing these amazing instruments. I would like to ask you a question: is there a specific method for the tenor? Thanks in advance for your answer (which I fear is "no"). Bye and long live the recorder!

[@edgaraortiz]

Love your videos again and again! I'm subscribed, and every time you post I video I get so excited!! It's like if you're a celebrity or something haha. I'm so happy there's a channel for recorder players and I loooooove your videos so much. I always thought that plastic recorders were bad because they don't tend to have as rich of a sound but actually, they sound quite nice! So, it's not necessarily bad to have plastic recorders, right?

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi Edgar! I'm happy you're enjoying my channel, thanks for watching :) Of course it's not bad to have plastic recorders - I use mine a lot for practising, and I'm reading in the comments here that there are plastic instruments of very high quality around. So if you have plastic, that's also fine!

[@mihaelamack1770]

Edgar, I find that top of the line plastic recorders can be much better than some wooden recorders. For example, IMHO the Yamaha bass(et) that Sarah is showing plays way better than the lower end wooden recorders. And by lower end I mean instruments that cost around $1,200. The only difficult thing about the plastic bass(et) is taking it apart after playing. The headjoint tends to get stuck and it's quite a job to take it apart. I am now experimenting with Crisco as a lubricant rather than the Yamaha joint cream.

[@tomm54321]

+Mihaela Re: stuck joints. A tip from the Saunders Recorders website: "Try flexing the instrument across you knee (gently, you don't want to break it). This will usually break the seal which is holding the joint tight." I usually flip and repeat for good measure. It works every time for me.

[@tomm54321]

+Christiaan O.K. My comment was not specifically about a knick bass, as I don't have one (yet), but was about stuck joints generally. I only have experience of soprano, alto and tenor recorders, but what used to cause me problems can now be cured in a few seconds.

[@mihaelamack1770]

@Tom & Christiaan; thanks for your comments. I do use the Saunders tip. I hadn't thought about using a stick. You should never use vaseline on plastic recorders though. It can eventually damage them. You need to use a plant based lubricant. The knick bass head joint is much larger than any of the other recorders, Tom. The other problem is that although they are factory made they are not always the same size. Some recorders have a tighter fit than others. One thing that works is to either pour warm water over the head joint or cold water over the body. Creating a temperature difference will make it easier to disassemble the instrument but that's not always possible if you are playing somewhere. The joint cream can also get sticky after a while.

[@wyattwahlgren8883]

I've got to say that I just found this channel even though I'm not a recorder player (recordist?). I play trombone. However, I find these videos interesting. I have a few questions for recorder players. 1.) Does condensation build up in your instrument to the point that you have to have a spit valve? 2.) What kind of ensembles do you play in? 3.) How do you have contact with other recorder players. I am not interested in getting a recorder at this point in time (especially since I just got a flute that I need to take time to learn), but it is still interesting to hear from other musicians.

[@frederickalbrink7969]

Thanks for this video Sarah. I just purchased the Yamaha model based on your recommendation. Lovely sound, every note speaks, intonation great. But the bocle tube rotates a lot in the wooden capstan. That makes the instrument unwieldy while playing rapid passages. Thomann, where I bought it, has offered to repair it, but i thought I would ask you about it since I don't really know what to expect. Should the cork fit tightly enough into the wooden top piece so it doesn't move? Or is this just something I need to get used to? Cheers!

[@immynewall9276]

I love your videos! I was wondering if you have any tips for playing bass cleft (I play descant, treble and tenor recorders as well if that helps in any way) as I need to learn it quickly for an audition in a couple of weeks.

[@paulcooper5229]

Having bought a used Mollenhauer Chorus basset through eBay, I'm having fun adjusting to the low C/C# fingering switch. This video's been great in showing me a couple of alternative fingerings elsewhere in addition to whatvI got from the Mollenhauer website. Two problems with the instrument are: 1. Condensation on the brass crook, and it's quite awkward to blow directly. An additional short straight crook (is it still a crook if it isn't crooked?) came in the box. 2. It's really, really quiet at the bottom of the low register. I was inaudible when playing with amplified guitars, but I do now have a flute mic.

[@scottziegler4238]

I played bass recorder in a recorder consort while in grad school. And now, ten years later, the flute player in my wind quartet wants to do the same thing. I just need to buy a bass recorder.

[@Saffiji]

Hi Sarah, I have a new to me basset.. Yamaha wooden one like yours... I am familiar with cleaning other smaller recorders. Is this similar or is there anything different I should be aware of? Many thanks as always

[@boomerhippie]

Thanks for this video, as I have recently started playing the bass recorder. I have a question about playing the basset, on the higher notes starting around the middle F I get a chiff sound at the beginning of the note. This seems to get more pronounced as I go higher. How can I avoid making this bit of noise at the beginning of the notes?

[@markchapman6800]

I sing bass in choir, so am quite familiar with bass clef, but do find it helpful to play basset from that clef, and tenor from treble clef, tp keep my fingerings in the right key!

[@chaderickson3212]

Hi Sarah, I have a question for you about the bass recorder. I felt a Renaissance-style bass recorder once and I found that it didn’t have a split key for the lowest F-sharp and F. Do the Baroque-style recorders have a key, or several keys, that allows you to play the lowest G-sharp, G, F-sharp and F? Thanks

[@pamelamoorehead3853]

I liked your playing on the bass reorder thank for help on the bass reorder so I can play my bass reorder

[@peterfox3577]

Just acquired a 1966 Kung bass recorder. It will take some getting into - I play a tenor so different fingering and bass clef! Something to look forward to.......

[@nicolaj665]

Could you give me some advice on playing the higher notes. I have a plastic one which sounds very 'woolly' from the second octave d upwards. Is it a matter of air pressure and thumb position at the back? Thank you.

[@felipecardosodacosta3264]

gostei muito do vídeo apesar de não entender pois sou brasileiro, mas sou um estudante muito viciado em flauta. Parabéns

[@bipolatelly9806]

Ooooo.... I want one of those!

[@juliuszsienkiewicz6239]

Jesus, girl, you're a volcano of amazing energy. I love it ❤

[@Team_Recorder]

Haha, this video was before I had a kid 😂 I still have the enthusiasm but the energy is supplied by coffee

[@Guuzaka]

I hate the bent neck recorders. Very subjective and petty, but the straight necks look much more aesthetically pleasing.

[@jillfarkas]

GuuzakaTube I disagree, I play the clarinet and soon the saxophone. I don’t think an instrument has to be aesthetically pleasing to be good, or preferred.

[@nou6990]

Saxophones

[@resofactor]

I don't care for the "knick" look either.

[@orirune3079]

Agreed! I think the bent-neck is so ugly. Recorders are beautiful instruments, especially the wooden ones, but the bend ruins it.

[@brandonm7952]

jillfarkas yeah, but bent... recorder???

[@hanz1877]

Hi Sarah I love your videos and I'm a new subscriber :)

[@butthemeatwasbad]

Anyone have experience with the Aulos A533B? My low A is sharp enough that I need to drop my pinky to be in tune, but the A an octave higher is fine. I have a hard time reprogramming my brain to finger A differently on this instrument only.

[@jaylonsanders8402]

i got my bass recorder today and its from Frederick, it came in a set but by itself it was $129 (US). I was surprised when it had two slots for a neck strap and a very good sound. I can recommend it! It is made out of poly-resin and btw, opinions on recorders made out of resin

[@jaylonsanders8402]

also this brand's professional line has some actual resistance especially on the sopranino and alto. circular breathing is easier on those two.

[@richneu]

You are BRILLIANT!!!

[@hanoversusanmusic]

Thank you, thank you for the tip on C#. I have had a Yamaha bass for years and I could never play that note.

[@cezara.p.9180]

Hello Sarah! First of all, thank you very much, I love you videos and learn a lot from them. I'm considering buying a Yamaha wooden recorder (alto 800 series), this would be my first wooden recorder (I've played a alto 300 series for several years) and I haven't fund any reviews about that. Have you ever tried them? Do you think they are good ones for the price?

[@amandamiller2154]

would the Moeck flauto Rondo Great Bass be a good starter/intermediate great bass recorder to buy?

[@charlesbarkema8021]

Sarah, I have a question; Which bass recorder does Eva Gemeinhardt play, in the Boismortier concerto by Seldom Sene quintet, with Matthias Haveman.?

[@trevorboyd1570]

Great video as usual, Sarah. I particularly like the tips on alternative fingerings - especially high C# which I always struggle with. I occasionally use a sling but I find a recorder spike much more comfortable these days. Of course you can't move around with it :-)

[@Dave-nm8uk]

Not sure about the spikes. I don't have one myself, but heck - they seem very expensive. Could someone design one which would be strong enough which could be made with a 3D printer? Surely someone with experience of tools - metalwork, perhaps woodwork - could make one of these without too much bother. On the other hand, I'm not sure I could do this easily, so maybe I'll stick to the thumb rest or sling.

[@matthewquinn6172]

Any ideas on which plastic basset recorder I should buy? Aulos with the crook of the Yamaha?

[@melodicagallery2888]

I just got one, thank you so much. I dig this video. New suscriber. :) You know the Andes keyboard-recorder Suzuki model?

[@heribertocastro6652]

Hey Sarah! I have a few questions that I hope you'll be able to answer. So I recently bought a Johannes Adler Tenor recorder and I noticed that the stretch can be uncomfortable. Is there any WHY to help alleviate this issue and if not, will I get used to it? Also, my third finger F# fingering is sharper than it should be, is this normal in Tenor recorders? Last question, my Tenor uses string instead of cork for the joints, is there any sort of special maintenance that I have to do and is it any different than having cork joints? Sorry for all the questions. I'm fairly new to the recorder world and am trying to broaden my skills and knowledge. Thank you for reading my comment and keep up the awesome work on your channel! :D

[@missrecorderr2100]

Hi, so I was playing my bass today and I began to notice some constant clogging up. My instrument is plastic. What's the best way to clean or unclog a plastic bass recorder?

[@robinmarwick1982]

Hi Sarah, I've just bought a Yamaha YRB-61. The low b natural splits, even with very gentle breath preasure, producing what I can only describe as, perhaps, a wolf note. The adjacent notes are clear. I'm not sure whether to return it. Any thoughts?

[@keiththurlow-bishop1617]

Can you recommend any good CD's that feature the basset?

[@tristiscoolyt5336]

I’m getting some recorders for my bday, a sopranino, a soprano, a alto, a tenor, and a bass recorder/basset.

[@takayanagi-senseissurprise2104]

TristIsCool *popomlxe* You’re so lucky!

[@Slim_Gaffigan]

What notes can I play if I want to SLAPP?

[@resofactor]

So what do you think if MPI brand Recorders?

[@mattmilford8106]

I have the Yamaha basset. It was really hard to get the high and low notes out until I covered up the sides of the windway with electrical tape. This gives a little bit of back pressure and the notes come out from the lowest F up to the high E and G. The upper f will only come out if I slur to it from the e. Is this considered cheating? Is there some reason I shouldn't do this?

[@2628064379]

Do you think playing with a bocal can produce the acuuracy of direct blow? And do you think direct blow is nessisary for ensemble playing?

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi Bill, good question! (for those who aren't sure, a 'bocal' is the pipe sometimes used to play a bass recorder, also called a crook). Personally I prefer the direct blow - but we play with both in Royal Wind for example, and it's fine. For ensemble playing, you can use either, though I feel like bocal playing reacts ever so slightly slower than directly blown..?

[@2628064379]

Thank you Sarah. Your video had me on my bassets today LOL.

[@iijace9138]

is a thomann basset recorder good? because I found one for around $100 and i'm tempting to buy it.

[@jackyoung7928]

Hi, I was wondering if you could help me with something. I would like to purchase a plastic basset recorder. Most Yamahas are around $250, but I've found one for around $100. It is a Frederick recorder. I was wondering if you have any insight as to the quality of a Frederick recorder versus a Yahmaha and if the difference is significant.

[@anneharrison1849]

One problem I am having is covering the holes, I don't know whether my instrument has large holes, whether I have small fingers or both, or neither! Being a lady of a similar size to you is covering the holes fully something you experienced when first picking up a basset? I'm fine on an alto, don't know about a tenor.

[@432___htz]

thank you for the well explained video :) is there a "cheat" fingering to the low B? i play the yamaha plastic basset, and 012356 fingering doesn't sound good...

[@markchapman6800]

I had an eccentric Hohner basset recorder, wooden but cheap, and I found that it sometimes helped to add 7.

[@e.sitskoorn6325]

I have that same problem. Blowing a little bit harder on that note will make it sound a little better.