Plastic vs Wood- tenor recorder sound comparison!

I've had my cheap, plastic tenor recorder for about a year, and recently got a boxwood Mollenhauer too. I thought it might be a good idea to give them a quick sound comparison- what difference does the material (and cost!) make?
Recorders are: the Rosedale tenor in plastic from Gear4Music.
Mollenhauer Denner in boxwood, with comfort keys.
Music is: "Air" by Henry Purcell. The version I played is from 'The Baroque Recorder Anthology Volume 1' (the link below is an Amazon Affiliate link, if you decide to purchase the book I may earn a small commission- it helps support the channel!)
amzn.to/3okelcN
Find me on Instagram: @claythorpemusic

[@stephielulu9096]

I love the sound of wooden recorders. So sweet 🎶

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

I love how the sound changes as wooden recorders warm up too, very different to how plastic ones respond! More characterful 🙂

[@thomaswright7841]

Beautifully played by the way!

[@tylerdelgregg7879]

The boxwood is stunnig! The plastic is charming.

[@bammythegreat]

thanks so much! i've fallen inlove tenor and bass recorders and am looking to get a tenor, so this was extremely insightful!

[@tacovanderwaal5252]

Hello! New subscriber here. There is indeed a noticeable difference , but as you say, hard to decide which one is more to my liking. It also depends on the tune you play I think. Some are more suited for a bright sound, and others are more comfortable in a mellow sound. I was surprised how much sound the mechanism on the Mollenhauer makes. Did not expect that. Anyway, enjoyed the video tremendously :-)

[@gaynorandrews1684]

I love when people play different brands right next to each other with the same piece of music. It makes the comparison so much easier to hear. Did nit think I'd hear such a difference. Butcwow there's a huge difference. Both really sound nice but you're right about the wooden one, on a whole different level.

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

The difference is even more pronounced in person, wish I could capture the sound more successfully!

[@mirandaz1272]

The wooden one to me sounds way better as it really sounds like a real professional instrument. I love it.

[@elijaguy]

Being new to recorder playing, I wonder: I have two wooden and one plastic tenors. The airway of the plastic (ferris 6000) is narrow, the sound a bit "plasticy", but stable and easy to produce along the whole range, and because the airway is narrow, it requires significantly less air for a similar output of sound, therefore enabling longer phrases for each breath, and quieter breathing activity. The 40 years old wooden Yamaha, which I got used in ebay, has a soft, uniform, beautiful sound, but it requires tons of air, and therefore not easy to play. An almost new Zen On wooden, also from ebay, is more resonant than the Yamaha, and very satisfying experience of actually playing a wooden instrument, with the feel, the smell, the resonance, etc,. but again, it requires a lot of air, and is not as easy to play, breathing-wise, as the Ferris. Long story short, for practicing scales and arpeggios, the plastic is considerably more convenient. For the beauty of tone, in different aspects, the wooden ones are more exciting. Though the Ferris is surprisingly good for a plastic pipe. Are these differences typical to plastic./ wooden tenors? Or does it so happen that I got these instruments by chance, without even comparing instruments in a music shop, which a rational and more socialized person would do? Thank you for the nice work you do in your channel, and in advance for an answer to this one.

[@thomasnguyen6144]

I love the tenor recorder. It’s my favourite.

[@MrKazimdenizsahin]

Your presentation is quite impressive 🙂

[@DrDaveElliott]

The plastic one has a beautiful sonorous timbre. I like it.

[@fireaxb4501]

Even though the wooden recorder but the plastic has a lovable and special tone

[@grahamfelvus7708]

Thank you for the review. I think it is important to talk about the whole range of the instrument as you did because the real differences start to show when you get into the higher register and also when playing semitones.

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Thanks! Totally agree- that is where the differences really start to show themselves.

[@umgawa1503]

I like the wooden recorder the most. I've also bought one and practicing every day now 😁.

[@willft520]

Both are good, I think I'm gonna get the plastic one first, thinking the same way you did. I know I'll love it, but there's nothing wrong with having a spare plastic recorder.

[@user-dx1ww2gv7v]

Thank you and keep Jammin'

[@baumannjorg9998]

The plastic-flute is a very good backup 👍

[@samanthathompson9812]

There would be a market for a plastic recorder with comfort keys.

[@kishascape]

There was one music store online I saw that would custom add those to the Yamaha tenor.

[@gudrunscherber1351]

Thank you so much for this video. I (65) am a beginner on the recorder, and I like it very much. Never thought I like it, but I do. I start with the the soprano and want to go further. I don't like the high notes very much on the soprano so I was thinking over to buy a tenor. I don't want to spent that much money, a wodden recorder will cost (even it it worth and it sound beautiful). I want to see, I can play it.

[@malcolmmcdonald9991]

In my opinion, you might like to consider taking up the alto (treble) recorder instead. It is quite common to start on the soprano and then switch to the tenor because the fingerings are the same, but from a historical and musical point of view the treble is more important and versatile - a vast amount of music was written for it: solo sonatas, duets and trios, particularly during the baroque period. It is more mellow than the soprano, and does not demand a big finger stretch in a way a tenor probably will when you first try it. The slightly larger holes compared with the soprano make the higher notes somewhat more accessible, and this will help develop confidence in your technique. A plastic recorder alto from a reputable maker (e.g. Yamaha, Aulos) is the way to start. Do not buy a wooden one until you are sure this is the way you want to go. The player's technique is more important than the material in the production of good tone. If you can play a tune on the soprano, you can immediately play exactly the same tune on the treble, but it will be at a different pitch. Do not let this put you off - it does not take very long to get your brain to adapt. If you can find someone else to learn with, that can also be very helpful. Good luck!.

[@grahamhill5954]

The Mollenhauer has a much better sound as expected, but is it 38 times better like the price? I suppose it depends on how much you're going to use it, and if your budget can afford it. I have had 3 tenor recorders, and actually started many years ago with a wooden Heinrich tenor made of pearwood, which I picked up from a local music shop sale. It had previously been a shop display model that I presume had been hanging around the shop for years. I went in to buy a plastic tenor, but was persuaded (mainly by the very attractive shop girl 😜) that the wooden one was an absolute bargain, and much better than plastic. So I handed over about 4 weeks pay, and it went home with me (the recorder, not the girl!🤣). I really liked the sound. It was beautiful! It wasn't until I played it with other recorders and instruments that I realised something wasn't quite right. It was out of tune, and yet when I played it alone, it played beautifully. I couldn't understand it! I compared it with my other recorders, guitars, whistles and keyboards and it was definitely flat. I took it back to the shop about 3 months later only to find that it was closing down.😨 The girl who sold it to me had left, and I couldn't get a refund! The man in the shop was apologetic, but said there was nothing wrong with it... Except it was tuned to 415Hz! Everything made sense then. I just kept it for solo use at home. The shop was selling everything at discount, and as I wasn't told about the pitch of the tenor, I was offered a plastic 440Hz Yamaha tenor at half the normal price which I tried and bought. Both these recorders have now gone to the charity shop after being used, abused and neglected over 20+ years, and when it came to replacing them I couldn't really justify buying a wooden tenor for the amount of time I now play it. So after trying out several plastic tenors (the Bellissima Classic Cantabile tenor was notably bad), I decided on buying the Aulos 511B Symphony Tenor. It was a close call with the Yamaha, but I just liked the Aulos better overall. It does everything I need it to do, it's in tune at 440Hz, sounds good and needs only minimal maintenance. Your Mollenhauer Tenor does sound really nice though. However, my next big spend on instruments will be a hand made custom build classical guitar (🤔must remember to get my Euromillions lottery on for Friday night draw🤣).

[@terohyvarinen4358]

I think the plastic one sounds a bit leaky. The ticking of the keys of the wooden ones does not actually please me, but how long would I really note them? Moreover, such nuances of the sound depends on recording, position of the listener, acoustics, I don't even know. Moreover, I like your relaxed way of presentation. No show, no overheated yelling or naive joking. You just tell and demonstrate and yes, it makes me want to buy a tenor... and a wooden alto! This video has been here about two years, but still: thank you!

[@starman2671]

I thought they both sounded pretty good, though not exactly alike, guess it would be good to have one of each.

[@sisterrosetta57]

I recognise that tune, what is it?

[@elandII]

I'm in my school recorder group and I want a tenor and bass recorder

[@CheukTheGreatestOfEverything]

I am the lead violinist in the school orchestra and tenor recorder player (although I play soprano for much longer) at the wind ensemble, and I also want to learn a bass recorder! Any suggestions?

[@MYCOOLWATCH]

Is the tenor same played with same holes as a normal flute ?

[@EGW1844]

New at the recorder and I have a soprano wood. I didn’t notice significant difference in sound with the plastic tenor and wood. Is the plastic more forgiving as far as air, fingering etc? I’m learning on a soprano wood and like the sound but definitely considering a tenor

[@JESL_TheOnlyOne]

There is no question whatsoever. The fundamental is most strong with the boxwood. I have a pretty nice pearwood soprano and it's clear and distinct: the fundamental is more pronounced with the wooden instruments. The plastic is fine, you intone well, but the wooden O is clearly warmer.

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

There is more depth to the sound with the wooden, for sure. It is fuller. But then it is easier to muck around and make daft (and pleasing!) sounds on the plastic, so they’ll both get their use!

[@JESL_TheOnlyOne]

@@ClaythorpeMusic Because all fundamentals are more pronounced with wood, I find the 'weak sisters' (C# for instance) to be a tad more authoritative than on the plastic soprano.

[@sonnyportacio6238]

Not sure if anyone here can help, but I'll ask ... the pieces of my Yamaha (YRA-28B) alto get STUCK and almost seem to FUSE. It's SO difficult to adjust or take apart for cleaning, etc. I've used the lubrication that came with the recorder, I've cleaned it, re-lubricated, but STILL the pieces get stuck. Any tips on how to "loosen" the "grip"? Thanks for any advice.

[@inakigarciauriarte7117]

Hi! You can carefully try a piece of very soft sandpaper. That could work and won't do any visible damage to your recorder.

[@thiago.assumpcao]

I don't notice much difference between wood vs and plastic on alto recorders. Plastic alto from Aulos sounds great to me. For tenor things change and I prefer wooden recorders.

[@nibler887]

dont hear a difference with the audio setup from my computer (seperat speakers). As with all audio comparisons i think you have to be there in person to hear the difference.

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Yes! I listened back to the audio on three different devices and it sounded different on all three, of course. I’ve got a lot to learn about sound recording, but nothing will ever replace being in the room, I suppose!

[@jumpman120]

Why they are so big ?

[@Jim-iw1yd]

Good comparison video you could hear the difference quite clearly. I prefer the wooden, a sweater sound I would describe it as. My alto reorders are an aulos haka plastic and a wooden kung recorder, both are very good. I would describe the plastic as sounding "clarinety" , no offence to clarinet players I like that sound. The wooden Kung I would describe as beautiful, sweet, endearing, lovely, and dear to me. Well done the Dog for being awake, I was kind of hoping she'he (pass on my apologies could not work that bit out )would fall asleep and we would hear that calming snoring sound.

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Thank you. I know what you mean, I think it might be the certain overtones of a plastic instrument can add a bit of a reed-y effect. Sometimes desirable, sometimes not. I like how wooden instruments change over time too, adds more character. My dog, Rupert, is snoring right now. It is closer to warthog than to relaxing, however!

[@Jim-iw1yd]

@@ClaythorpeMusic :-) I had to check what a warthog sounds like. Yes there is even a youtube video for warthog sounds. You're right ! That's exactly the sounds he makes . . . I fell asleep half way through the video. I now know how to cure insomnia if I ever get it ;-)

[@toddhildebrand]

It's subtle but the wood is much warmer and musical in my opinion. Now for the million dollar question.....at what price point does the wood recorder become noticeably more musical? I know this can't really be answered. It's just that I could never justify 1100 for a recorder. I could justify 2-300. So for 2-300 should I get a really excellent plastic recorder......or an average wood recorder....used is also doable. Thanx!

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Ah that’s the tricky question, isn’t it. In an ideal world, you’d get to play your way through every used wooden and good quality plastic recorder to find your ideal… good luck, hope you find the right one for you!

[@TxHornyToad]

I’m not sure I would spend 40 times more for the wooden one. Of course I fish with a very nice $600, ultralight bait casting rod when a $50 spinning rod would still catch fish.

[@widz1776]

plastic is.......better!!!😮😮😮

[@philipchapman1960]

I wonder whether the comments would be different if you had done this as a blind test?

[@jonstreeter1540]

The wooden recorder has a creamier more substantial sound.

[@steve3150]

the wooden one.

[@argi0774]

The wooden one sounds so much better.

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Even nicer in person 🙂

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

3:51_Did I hear a gruff/growl/grunt of dislike?, from companion dog? "Well have no-more of those (hands-clapping" thankyou.

[@cerpin_text]

the wooden one was much sweeter, with a deeper and more mellow timbre, while the plastic one almost reminded me of a trumpet and had a much more brash tone. both would definitely be possible to find a use for!

[@jean-paul7251]

Nonsense

[@edeka3]

Holy crap that wooden one sounds much better!

[@TYAC_TPE_SF-Bay]

Plastic resonantes with a higher pitch; wood, more like dampening.

[@cathy7382]

The wood recorder has a more sonorous sound than the plastic

[@peter3835]

over 1100 pounds difference ?????????? Fancy restaurant or good home cooking ???????????? I can not see 1100 pounds difference ,depends who is playing the plastic one. I have been playing recorders for two years now and the Tenor is a bit demanding and somedays I can not get the low C or C sharp but my AULOS Tenor 211A-E becomes preferable after hearing 1100 pounds

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Haha, definitely the home cooking over fancy restaurant for me! But I do prefer playing the wooden recorder. Everything just feels more doable! Breath management feels far easier on it too. But yeah, I don’t kid myself that a much better player wouldn’t make the plastic sound better than I ever will the wooden, I agree!

[@johnylopez]

Wood much better

[@osmarferreira6821]

Wood is better than plastic, but not so much

[@BillPonderosa-rs7pn]

Thought you said Gay for Music

[@mustamuri]

I like Solid Plastic sounds.....Solid Boxwood sound is too good ... don't like it✨🧸✨ 🙂

[@jean-paul7251]

Plastic is fine. It's not really a mainstream instrument and wouldn't waste such a large amount of money on wood.....at the end of the day....its a recorder....hardly a high end instrument!!!!

[@okutaviof]

Why would you say it's not a high-end instrument?