Getting started on the TENOR recorder! | Team Recorder

How to get started on the TENOR recorder! An intro and brief history, which instrument to buy, what repertoire to play, and how to tackle (embrace!) its particular challenges!
//// RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENTS
- Yamaha
- Aulos 'Symphony'
- Thomann.de €29 tenor!
- Mollenhauer 'Dream' tenor
- also instruments by Mollenhauer, Moeck and Küng
///// BOOKS
- Baroque Recorder Anthology, book 1 or 2
www.amazon.com...
- Renaissance Recorder Anthology, book 1 or 2
www.amazon.com...
- 'Der Fluyten Lust-Hof' by Jacob van Eyck
- Consort music by Dowland
- Sonata in G and in D by Giovanni Cima
- pieces by Zana Clarke
- Trinity College Recorder Syllabus
www.trinitycoll...
- Solo Recorder Blog
www.solorecorde...
//// OTHER TEAM RECORDER VIDEOS!
How to stretch the big recorders
• HOW TO STRETCH THE BIG...
All about breathing
• Improve your BREATHING...
Getting started on the bass recorder
• Getting started on bas...
/////
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------
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[@argonwheatbelly637]

My stretch on the tenor is like my daughter's stretch on the soprano. So after warming up, she sees daddy make the same type of leaky mistakes that she does. It makes her feel better about learning, but then we play unison on whatever lesson she's working. she's really starting to take to it, and her eyes light up when she hits the notes. On the side I keep playing the soprano, and I'm learning alto, so we can play duets as she improves. Tempo, warming up, and breath control. Practice, practice, practice, and she loves it; and her brother is only two, but can play nice G chord on the kiddy ukulele we got him. (He asks me to tune it.) When mommy joins us on her recorder or the violin, we have a family jam. And mommy has a beautiful operatic voice. That's how we met: she sang opera to me. Music is Life. Music is Love. 🎶🎶🎶

[@Team_Recorder]

That sounds so lovely! I hope we make some music like that when my baby is a little older!

[@joshc9873]

Absolutely wonderful! I am the only creative person in my immediate family...I would love to have people to share my enjoyment of creating music. I have played a total of 18 instruments to a non-horrific standard, but have never had anyone in my life to accompany me

[@VijayShankarB7]

That's lovely. I have a question Argon Wheatbelly! My son is two-and-a-half and he's definitely into music, but he doesn't want to listen (as in obey) to us. How did you make your daughter see you as a teacher as well?

[@argonwheatbelly637]

@@VijayShankarB7 : I didn't. We just played together, and I would say to her, "Want to see something cool?" And slowly I've been teaching her. She's now eight, and listens as well as any eight-year-old. And teaching for me is fun, since I've been doing it in some fashion for a long time, and even now I supplement her school's music class, since it's...well...lacking in many respects. She goes to a school where recorder is viewed as a "third grade" instrument, used as a stepping to "real" instruments. Yeah, that. That irks me, but we're dealing with it. Two-and-a-half is a wonderful age just to listen and play with daddy. As for playing, my son is now four, but he likes some one-in-a-while time to learn. I'm his music instructor at home, and music is a part of daily life for us. Always has been. Just be there for your son, and show him how much fun music is. Play some easier tala. (teen tal - 16 beat cycle) or stick to a raga like bilawal to learn solfège. (Do Re Mi -- or Sa Re Ga). At two-and-a-half, it's all about having fun, and absorbing the joy of the music. I'm sure Sarah would be able to add a lot more and better information based on her experiences with Bo. Luck & Cheers!

[@VijayShankarB7]

@@argonwheatbelly637 Thank you! You're right. My wife and I sing though instruments are new to our family. So for now he's enjoying our singing more than the instruments, though the latter is more curiosity-driven hyper-excitement at this stage. He's quite observant and grasps the tune in a jiffy, be it singing or the grab-and-play act when I leave the recorder to dry. :D I'm very happy for your family. Please do share your family jamming (audio at least). Would love to enjoy your performance. Your daughter's school teacher should talk to Sarah. Then they'll change forever...

[@Ice_Karma]

I also love how you pronounce the foreign names so well. ♥

[@Zarialla]

I forgot recorders even existed and then came across your videos somehow! Totally inspired I chose my first recorder from this video, the Yamaha, and I've been practicing daily since. Made it to the end of my first beginners book today. It feels awesome and honestly it was just what I needed. Go Team Recorder!!!

[@kishascape]

I hope you still use it today. I want to get the that YR300 yamaha tenor too. What book did you use BTW? I want to learn as well.

[@felderup]

i never forgot the recorder, primarily because i sounded like danny bhoy's description of bagpipe playing, verges on nightmares. saw tenors in the instrument store and thought it'd be a bit more forgiving on the ear.

[@Mitioritos]

Why am I watching this? I play tenor trombone

[@Mitioritos]

Ann Burgess it would be fun to try but I don't think it would work. And trombone lessons are awesome!

[@derekschumaker7740]

I play trombone too... but I love to play recorder too... and trombones are tenor so it is natural to want to listen and play tenor recorders.

[@derekschumaker7740]

Also as a trombone player... you can play trombone music reading it exactly like it was a trombone. So you can play a trombone G like a recorder G Thumb 1-2-3. So cool!

[@jillfarkas]

I play the clarinet. I remember trying to play the recorder after the clarinet...much difference,

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

@@derekschumaker7740 Try cornetts: brass ("lip reed") instruments shaped and fingered like a recorder.

[@WoodwindsRock26]

Hi, I gravitated toward the tenor just because I think that low sound is gorgeous. I really underestimated the stretching it would require! Although I've played big instruments like bassoon before, they have a lot of aid so you really don't have to stretch your fingers far at all. I'm happy to see you say that it will get better! It's particularly bad for my right hand. My right hand is just NOT used to that!

[@ShaynaPulley]

Please buy that 29 euro tenor and do a video review on it!

[@LarryShone]

They do a bass too for under £100

[@CheukTheGreatestOfEverything]

I did a review on the 29 euro tenor and she did a review on the 99 euro one.

[@saramason9949]

I love this! Just about to get my 6 year old the dreaded but inevitable descant and I'm thinking of getting back to the tenor to keep the universe in equilibrium. This was just what I needed to convince me before reality hits and "look mummy, if I take all my fingers off all the holes and blow as hard as I can, I can evoke the repetitive and endless sound of your soul screaming for mercy" changes my mind.

[@rosesez3428]

😂😂😂 well said.

[@squiresunflower6005]

This comment is gold.

[@sudonim7552]

@Kota Hyatt Garklein it is

[@LarryShone]

Start her on alto and she'll never look back

[@kishascape]

Get one of the ABS resin yamahas, they're strong enough to beat him with when he does that. :p

[@JavierRuizGonzalez]

I have had a soprano recorder for at least 45 years now. It's a Hohner, made of wood. I remember the day when my parents bought it. For some reason whenever I am waiting for any task to complete (printing documents, compiling a computer program or waiting for people to join a call) I always grab it and play a few notes, usually with augmented fourths in the lower register. Today I reached to this channel through the TwoSet Violin one. I enjoyed a couple of videos and then I decided I wanted to have a lower register recorder. Now I am waiting for my Yamaha to arrive tomorrow with a book of baroque music. Isn't internet wonderful? Many thanks, Sarah!

[@wonilsuh]

just got a Yamaha tenor, my small hands are suffering, but love the sound. thank you for this video.

[@ErnestoValt]

Hi Wonil! Today I'm trying for the first time a tenor recorder. It's painful for my right hand, really uncomfortable! Did you get better?

[@thebigloc1]

I am like that with my Thomann tenor recorder. I am 41 and my hands childlike size. I have bone missing in my baby fingers, the knuckles are at the side of the fingers and my baby fingers do not bend. So due to that I find it hard to use the tenor but still trying.

[@sp1704]

I saw another Aulos model, 211 Robin I believe, recommended elsewhere for smaller hands. I recently purchased the Yamaha myself, however, if my daughter is very interested, I would consider trying the other for her. It's also half the price of the Aulos Symphonia one mentioned in the video, which I would have also loved to try! For me, the Yamaha was right in the middle price-wise of the three as well.

[@madaraszi]

HarryPotter 3 has a soundtrack with alto and tenor recorder solos: 'A window to the past'. It's very easy to play even for beginners. :)

[@heysmg2325]

My mum used to think the tenor recorder was some type of very old clarinet.

[@Hiroyuki_T]

Lol wooden recorders looks like a Mozart Clarinet

[@sudonim7552]

To be fair, clarinets did use to look a lot like recorders before they added keys

[@DLHandmade]

I'd like to try the tenor, I like its deep sound. (Thank you for your very clear pronunciation, it is very helpful for my English learning.)

[@alansturgess1324]

I'd like to see another one or two of Sarah's uploads featuring the tenor - especially as it's clearly a size of recorder that she really likes. How about one of her comparison uploads featuring plastic and wood recorders - and/or keyless and keyed? Not everyone is in the intermediate or advanced range. I used to have an Aulos 211 keyless tenors and, for me, it had a great tone with quite an easy 'reach' ... something that tenors aren't usually known for. (I tried the keyed Yamaha but couldn't take to it - but that was just me). Thanks to Sarah, my interest in recorders has been resurrected, so maybe she can have another look at tenors with those of her 'watchers' who are interested in what makes and types of tenor there are for those who want to try one.

[@runealnervik]

After some research, I also went for the Aulos 211A with double holes (keyless), since it was said to be the plastic tenor recorder with the most effortless reach! Now after 1,5 weeks of playing, I often reach with my right little finger (C# and C). But yesterday playing with friends in a relatively cold room, my playing was really disappointing, which emphasizes the importance of having warm hands when playing the recorder! 🎵🎵🎵

[@wendybrooke5254]

My sister and I bought the Thomann tenor. Can't compare with others as we're beginners but the sound is pretty good and it feels a nice solid well made instrument. Has the c and c# keys

[@Lennroe]

I got the Thomman out of curiosity, because I gave away my Yamaha sopran recorder as the sounds were just too high for me and honestly, I see no difference in quality between the Thomman and the Yamaha, it does not leak, it fits well together, the plastic is not thin or soft or anything, the sound is perfectly normal, not much different from yamaha. The keys work well allthough they may break earliler, but I don't think people would play it for hours a day. I can record something on it, when I get used to the differences between soprano and tenor. But yeah, I couldn't find any significant problems on the cheap recorder, it feels the same as my old yamaha or my friend's alto from another "better" brand. It's certainly very well playable.

[@charlotteschmidt-oorbeek5584]

Thanks for your small review! I was not sure, but or wild make a nice affordable gift

[@pollyp9328]

Thank you!

[@rickmccloy4201]

Does it come with an arched windway? I find that the arch on the Yaamaha 300 series really helps me to get a better sound (I have two, one with a straight winndway). The arched seems to offer a bit more resistance, something to blow against, I find it hard to describe exactly, that helps both with dynamics and overall tone.

[@dwudcuqoyl1465]

I think one tip for the Yamaha one.. make sure the low c keys are on the side cause it makes it ALOT easier to finger(the double keyed ones especialy)

[@darrenmoring126]

Of all my Yamaha recorders, I probably enjoy the tenor the most. So rich on the lower register, and yet very capable of going quite high with good stability. For those worried about the stretch: Even though I have large enough hands, I found that a thumb rest really helps to alleviate a lot of the tension when making the stretch between 4 and 5, and for the pinky keys. Less weight on your right thumb can allow your other fingers a more relaxed feeling and perhaps more range of motion.

[@Oaktreealley]

do you know the difference between the yrt-304b and the yrt-304b (II) ? Im trying to figure out if theres something significant to be aware of so I can determine which one to get, but Im having a hard time finding info.

[@gracep.1944]

emeeeych I just bought one today (ll). I heard that the difference is the YRT-304B Il has the bottom keys. And that makes it easy on your fingers.

[@sending2ormore45]

I wish my experience was the same as yours. I am sorely disappointed in my new Yamaha tenor, especially the lower register. I would not describe it as you have. I am near ready to put it into the recycle bin.

[@Oaktreealley]

@@sending2ormore45 oh no what happened? It really does have a nice sound but i guess there are a couple of weak sounding notes? . Don’t recycle it lol.

[@mrssethcohen]

This is the only recorder I still have and I've had it since I was 5 - the voice flute. I used to have maybe 15 different recorders as a child and would busk every day, but this is the one that I've ended up keeping over the years. Now I'm getting back into it. Thanks for all of this wonderful information and playing!

[@davidellsworth2178]

Well Sarah thanks very much to you I just ordered a Yamaha Tenor Recorder!!! I sucked at recorder as a kid, never really put any effort in at the time and it was a squeaky cheap school model. Well now I am 60 and find myself dealing with some health issues and neurological issues and yet still the yen to learn and instrument for my own pleasure. Always loved the sounds of woodwinds so I checked out your videos!!! I hope my hand issues and maybe my breathing will improve with practice so we shall see...oh I also ordered two learner method books with cds on your advice. Wish me luck!!!

[@magicflute3]

All this is very interesting and useful- moreover, I really improve my ability to understand English and follow a conversation! thanks again

[@acresir]

Thank you for your very informative videos! As a reply on Thomann Tenors : I was given a Thomann Tenor Recorder. Straight neck, two claps. My then music teacher, who had an education from one German Music school (if my memory is correct the Hans Eisler in Berlin), had an Aulos Tenor and was sceptical of my cheap recorder. I urged him to test it, my respect and gift for him to be the first. With a sceptical frown he played a scale, his brows straightened in surprise, and he played a lovely little tune. He closed his eyes, short silence, smiled... [sigh] : - "Ach, ja... Deutsche Qualität..." He explained later, that cheap instruments are not always great. I may just have been lucky. It was better than the price tag. He soon after bought a bass recorder from Thomann and was equally satisfied. When a girl later needed an Alto recorder, she bought it at Thomann at our recommendation. I don't remember if he bought his violin from Thomann. I've heard that Thomann sell junk, so... Maybe their recorders have gone bad, who knows. Like Yamaha: I have a Flute not in production anymore, apparently because "it's too good for the price tag". It filled a gap between school and more professional and expensive flutes just slightly better than mine. BTW, (Tho-mann: Tho = like a stretched 'o' in 'towards' and mann = like the 'aan' in 'Naan bread" or 'ahn' in the Star Trek antagonist 'Khan' or the Jungle books 'Shere Khan'. Thomann :))

[@randyking9489]

They suck now. Mass produced. No quality control. Intonation main problem. 2018 models were really good for the money. Don't know what happened.

[@jsivonenVR]

I guess I’m lucky since my Thomann Tenor recorder sounds amazing for the price 👌🏻

[@danieldwyer8289]

I know this is a while after you posted this video but I bought the Thomann tenor and I think it’s quite nice. I’m definitely not a professional but have played clarinet and flute since school and got to A level music (in the UK). I have found it’s responsive and has a nice tone especially for the price. Maybe it feels more comfortable because in the hands it feels like a clarinet but much lighter and is the same pitch as the flute. It is in tune depending on breath pressure and I have found it works well for more classical repertoire but then I don’t venture into contemporary! Overall if you want a tenor but are not wanting to spend then go for it, it has the double key and came with a thumb rest and a decent pleather case 😂

[@wolfyohare568]

For practice hours I use a Triebert TenorRecorder - supplied by Early Music Shop Bradford - very good intonation and reposnse, a powerful baroque recorder sound. My preferred instrument for gigs is a Mollenhauer Waldorf Edition Tenor which has a wide bore and a sweet, expressive sound. My other instrument is a Rosewood and Bone decorated Dolmetsch Tenor Recorder circa 1956 - even with a straight windway the sound is good - of it's time perhaps, but it works well.

[@hectoraguilar770]

Hi Sarah! How are you? Well, I just have the Yamaha C plastic tenor recorder and I use the brand new D cleft to play it with notes. Could you give me the web where I could get the other tenor recorders please? Thank you in advance! Greetings from Tijuana!

[@Ice_Karma]

I was a tenor recorder soloist, rarely relegated to even second line. I regret going into my other love, computing, instead of music.

[@tobysimard9638]

You can always do music on the side, my friend. It's what I plan to do. Just because it's not your career does not mean it has to end.

[@rcdr898]

I am a clarinetist and bassoonist, and I just love the sound of this instrument. I might have to pick one up!

[@cutechiangels]

Hello! I just looove bassoons ! And would looove to play this very exiting instrument ! Such a pity they are soooo expensive !! Do tou know of any that are affordable ? Thanks ! 😉

[@wednesdayjones-bsltheatric9230]

The Aulos Symphony 'Robin' is keyless, so no lever at the bottom- it's good for those of us with smaller hands! Costs about £40 in the UK. Lovely sound too!

[@danjcla]

I think it's also called the 211a. You can also buy a thumbrest for it direct from Aulos for about $2.

[@TracyGooding-xi7dp]

Can anyone else recommend the 211a/Robin? I am thinking of getting one as my hands don't stretch as much in middle age as they did when I started the tenor at age 10 (and I've broken several fingers playing hockey!). It would be great to start making music again.

[@robertnoblitt518]

@@TracyGooding-xi7dp I have an Aulos 211A. I would not recommend it. The sound quality is poor, and the low C and C# are very low volume and difficult to play. I plan to try a Yamaha 304BII that has been modified to have a bent neck. The Yamaha has better sound quality, and has C/C# keys. The best thing I can say about the Aulos 211A is that it is not very expensive.

[@hippiechick73]

I had an Aulos keyless tenor back in the early 90’s and loved it (but it broke in a move). I got the Robin and don’t like it as much. The pitches of the lowest notes are off.

[@theamazinghippopotomonstro9942]

I have big hands and I'm thinking of buying a tenor. The model I want has one with keys on the bottom and one without. Should I keep it safe and get one with keys or get the one without them if my right hand would feel crowded? Thank you

[@melindanoone3293]

Thank you so very much. Pulled out my 50 year old Adler tenor recorder :- ( Alas only one middle C key. Need a new recorder ;-(

[@marcelo90z]

I want that cane, ops, Rafi Tenor recorder someday, hehehe... To be fair, I really like the design, very unexpected to see from a recorder

[@emilylyon8906]

Im so exited im doing a performance at school on my soprano or tenor recorder (havent decided yet 😂) to Wat zal men op den avond doen hopefully it will please my music teacher😂 also i would love for you to do a video on treble recorders and garkliens too ( ik bizarre requests) great video btw

[@vivienpalasti3862]

I've actually tried wooden and plastic tenor recorder. The wooden one has really nice sound. The plastic one has thing strong and sharp sound, It's not bad but I like the wooden one better.

[@podoclaste]

Very nice and inspiring video. I just bought a 1970's Mollenhauer tenor recorder in an online auction. For 135 euros. No cracks, clean, and it sounds, oh boy. Thank you Sarah.

[@VladQuake]

I just got a woodi (thomann) tenor, and was surprised to find the finger stretch MUCH harder than their bass (basset) recorder. Would you do a video of all notes on tenor?

[@doge8497]

I play soprano recorder and piano, i just bought an Alto recorder, but since i saw this video tenor sounds like more convincing for me... Also pretty expensive... ehhh... but i guess it's worth it

[@guitfidle]

I just found a Dolmetsch tenor for $5 as it needs new cork on the joints. It's obviously a bit cheaper made than my Yamaha alto, but it does have a built in thumb rest. As a clarinet player, I appreciate the thumbrest. I don't forsee any quality or playability issues other than it does have a single key- but the fingering chart says you can half hole the key to play C#..... Never tried half hole on a key

[@heltongouveia2525]

I have bought a Thomann's ténor recorder, and honestly it's nothing bad. It makes a nice option no expensive to get a tenor or a bass as well.

[@andrewcranmer9653]

Love tenor, but voice flute is my absolute favourite, for the reasons you suggest (mix of tone and agility). I must admit I've never learned the fingerings and just play it as a transposing instrument, which has the advantage of putting a lot of baroque pieces for flute (in D) back into the original key.

[@jimidlewine3424]

This video is so helpful!!! Loved the rundown of all the tenors. My personal favorite is my keyless plastic Aulos Tenor. :-)

[@intarc0giotto]

the thomann tenor recorder for 29 euros has raving reviews, as i have seen.

[@helendowland6724]

Hi Sarah and the community!!! I'm excited because to date I haven't been able to see the comments let alone make any. BUT it looks as if tonight may be my night! Bcos here in Adelaide Australia it's just after 7.15 pm. So I have a treble MOECK Rottenburgh rosewood recorder that I bought in about 1970 when we really couldn't afford to do anything like that. It really wasn't cheap to buy instruments from overseas to Australia all those decades ago:) And after a long time not playing, I'm now trying to take it up again. Usually whenever I do anything like this with music, I'm freshly amazed to find how bad I am at whatever I'm trying to play. But this time I was hugely rapt to find you & your videos Sarah. And I think I'm managing to do some fresh music with your help. Thaqnkyou so much for your work! Love from Aus

[@grahamfelvus7708]

I have a keyless Aulos tenor which I really like. It has a good sound and good tuning. Coming from the oboe, which is covered in keywork, I avoid keys wherever I can.

[@sofiyah9552]

I bought the Thomann and returned it. Some of the lower notes consistently made a horrid squeal.

[@florianmeier3186]

I inherited a not much used wooden "Heinrich" Tenor built in GDR around 1990, which has a beautiful sound. Unfortunately it has no double key for lower C sharp and German system, which limits a bit what you can play, but for a beginner it is already quite nice and makes more fun than just soprano which we learnt at school 40 years ago.

[@matthewbickford387]

I just bought a Yamaha tennor and I love the sound! But how do I get a consistent sound without squeaking on the lower notes past G?

[@Pixietoria]

It's to do with breath control and the force of the air you push out into the instrument. Full discolsure: I'm a flute player but in essence I understand it's the same thing when achieving low notes in a full bodied way. Note what she says about the breathing in this video in regards to those. You don't want to push the air out so fully as with higher notes. Treat it as you would feel singing a high note as opposed to a low note. It needs a slightly different "attack" of breath. You want to release it in a more relaxed and controlled way and enjoy the resonance that achieves. With practice you'll get there. I hope that helps! :)

[@Pixietoria]

btw, I'm not sure of your ability level so if I'm being patronising I do fully apologise. Learning to breath from the diaphragm in a controlled airflow is very important. It's hard to demonstrate this without physically showing you... Slow, steady, and controlled air flow is what you're aiming for. I find it helps to think not of "blowing" into the instrument, but breathing into it. :) x

[@Pixietoria]

I'm personally awaiting delivery of my first tenor recorder (also a Yamaha) and can't wait!!! :)

[@lisamariechant511]

Great video. Did you mention what sheet music to use? You said it so fast that i did not quit get it 😊

[@meredith18352]

Having played tenor horn in a brass band for 20 years, I know exactly what it feels like to get the harmony/accompaniment parts. Hard to believe that the tenor recorder has a low note of middle-C, they look so big and that isn't a low note at all!

[@lechainonbaroque]

I just bought a plastic tenor (Aulos) this week on Amazon for 66 euros... My ears can't deal with the soprano so I'm going try to play van Eyck on it ! (I can't have the E string of the violin too close to my ears... hence my viola playing...) I think I'm going to love it ! I can't wait next week to pick it up in my mailbox !! Also, I've got « Solo baroque » and Ganassi books... Thank you so much for all your good advice !!

[@peterlustig8021]

came because i was like "HOW TO NOT LOSE FINGERS ON BIG RECORDERS" - it will come with time "another reason to go on playing i guess" oh yeah i play the thomann recorder for 30€, it feels cheap, is cheap, manufacturing isnt that clean (found some plastic chips on the outside), but sounds fine, for that price anyhow, once i mastered it, ill put it aside. i just know about cheap instruments like that. but first i will learn, then i will earn

[@markdeegan4916]

You mentioned the cheap Thomson tenor in your video. I bought one a few years ago, along with a Thomann bass (similarly cheap). Although they sounded pretty good, I thought the finish on them was terrible: sharp edges to the plastic seams, mangled screw heads on the keys, scratches on the plastic, poor quality bags... I sent them back and bought plastic Yamahas instead, which are a world away from the Thomann instruments in terms of quality. You get what you pay for. But if money is an issue, I wouldn't dimiss them completely.

[@markdeegan4916]

Apologies for my phone automatically correcting "Thomann" to "Thomson"!

[@gardeniainbloom812]

I bought a Thomann bass and I'm pleased with it. For the price you can't beat it. The sound quality is very good. I inspected the case and whilst it isn't fancy it is adequate. It is an easier instrument to play than my Aulos tenor which is very heavy and awkward to reach the 7th hole. I would highly recommend it for your first bass. I wonder if you were unlucky to have got a dodgy one.

[@markdeegan4916]

Gardenia in bloom, you were luckier with your bass recorder case than I was. My first Thomann case had a broken zip. I sent it back. The replacement had a broken zip too! That's when I decided to bite the bullet and buy Yamahas instead. I agree with you about the sound of the recorders though. For the money I think they are excellent.

[@patriciaoudart1508]

I'm playing my Thomann Tenor as listening you. No difference with the Yamaha. Some says the Aulos is a little more warm, but I'm going to do a little 'velouté modification inside my Thomann Soprano and Tenor to warm the plastic sound, will see if it works🙏🧡💚 I prefer for now a plastic set of flutes, I have also an irish flute, because I'm keeping my goats and the flutes are always with me in the bag .

[@TheHUhelps]

Greetings from a yank living in Drenthe! After watching your videos I'm decided to dust off my Yamaha plastic tenor recorder and give it a go again. I appreciate the time you take to make all your great videos! Bedankt!

[@loiseaunoir1021]

I play the bass so stretching isn't an issue

[@MarcelO_Simple_Note]

I love the warm Sound from the Tenor Recorder. :-)

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

I actually have always found easier to blow the tenor than the descant, it needs a more relaxed, spontaneous breathing.

[@JohnnyConnerMeditation]

Oh! I agree about the tenor. It's my favourite recorder too because I just love it's warm tone, which is why I bought three of them! 😊

[@krystynasibielak6569]

You must be rich... oh, no, I meant you were rich before you bought the 3 tenor recorders ;-)

[@JohnnyConnerMeditation]

Krystyna Sibielak LOL Well... I didn't buy them all at once, of course, and only one is relatively pricey (but better quality).

[@gracep.1944]

Johnny Conner lol

[@RoscoesRiffs]

My wife seems less irritated with my bumbling self- teaching when I use the Yamaha tenor rather than the soprano. Teaching myself -- yeah, my instructor is an idiot. 😕

[@juliansanders6324]

Hope this is helpful - I tried an Aulos Symphony tenor with keys and simply couldn't cover the holes; then I tried an Aulos 201,or Robin, without keys, and found that I could play it really easily. It's supposed to be designed for people with smaller hands, and that seems to be true. Lovely sound. I tried a number of plastic tubes at the Early Music Shop and found the Robin the easiest - I could get low C, and what would be high G on a treble really easily. The other recorders, not easy at all. The advice in the shop was that if you don't need keys, it's best to go without them. At about £50, the Robin is also around half the price of the plastic tenors with keys.

[@itsmeGeorgina]

I agree, I had Yamaha tenor with key,, but after I played on a friends Aulos Robin .... ordered one for myself the next day 😎

[@sebastianzaczek]

I feel like having to compose something for the Tenor Recorder now...

[@Walkaboutsverse]

Very good, thanks Sarah; I found the keys on a plastic tenor soon broke, so went for a key-less plastic Aulos, which has lasted for many years...not sure what a good wooden keyless option would be..? (I simply use mine to introduce the tune of English folk-songs and hymns, by the way.)

[@sudonim7552]

I have relatively big hands and tenor recorder still kind of hurts for me to play

[@mlynn9361]

i've been messing around with an ocarina, been fun, but i also kinda want to try the recorder - music is more available, though i found alot of recorder music to be in range for ocarina... guess i'm just one of those people that kinda - collect instruments? and wants to know how to play several. was a clarinetist in school, took a semester of violin that was fun, own neither. but i love wind instruments

[@verenagrundner2108]

Hey :) in your practice video you showed your practice sheet which includes practicing scales. How would you recommend doing that? Just playing all the scales up and down and in rythmic variations, triads, etc?

[@mayaflautina6592]

I have a mollenhauer dream Tenor, but to me it seems like a big compromise... There are beautiful and resonant notes but there are also lots of very weak and unstable ones...

[@davidburry2472]

Maya, I am sure that if Sarah were to play those "weak" and "unstable" notes on your tenor, they would sound beautiful. The point is you don't get far by blaming the instrument. Mollenhauer Dream recorders are very good.

[@1408annaful]

What to do when I have only one key for the lower c? Anyone suggestions?

[@mayaflautina6592]

Ann Burgess Yes I have the plumwood too. Perhaps you can try to bring the keys on the same level as the holes, so they are exactly horizontal (not turned back, like one would do intuitiveley, if you get what i mean...) this works very well for me :)

[@j.annsingleton6909]

My dream plum wood is amazing with resonant low notes and in tune high notes. In 8 years, I have had it revoiced once within the first year as recommended by the manufacturer ( free) and again 2 years ago. I teach and rehearse a lot and often double with the sopranos to add depth and interest.

[@ThePhantazmya]

I've been thinking about learning recorder for about a year now. I was really hesitating on getting the soprano because of all the normal reason people don't like the soprano. I was about to pull the trigger on an alto but now I'm think tenor might be more my speed and my husband might be less inclined to divorce me while I'm practicing.

[@anna.g]

Hope you decide to go for it Fern. The recorder is a lovely instrument to learn, and the tenor is my favourite too. It is a bit of a stretch for the fingers at first, but you soon get used to it. Have fun, whichever size you decide to start with! 😀

[@ThePhantazmya]

@@anna.g Thanks! I did decide to order one. I got the one from Thomann just to try it out and it arrived today. Did my first hour of practice and I'm pretty happy with it.

[@Chris-zi1oo]

I loved my tenor soo much too...till I got the mollenhauer canta bass. Uuhh..Im so exited about its sound, it has a heartbeat..I swear..😊..and the vibration to my fingers..makes me close my eyes..

[@richlynb]

Love your video ! I have a Yamaha tenor, and I play with a dulcimer group. It blends quite well with the dulcimer, and is a really fun instrument to play.

[@OmaBike]

I thought I was the only one who liked to play Dowland on Tenor. :)

[@OmaBike]

I do, too.

[@alessandroiacopini1040]

I placed today the order of a plastic tenor recorder Triebert Tenor Recorder in Rosewood Finish after buying first a alto recorder a week ago. . I like low register sounds like tenor recorder can produce. You say I can use any sheetmusic to play along with tenor recorder. I thought there were specific tenor recorder sheetmusic's books so I will use the Renaissance Recorder Anthology book 1,2,3 ( bought some time ago to play violin ) for soprano, alto recorder and piano. I have also got Baroque Flute Anthology for flute and keyboard. Are these books ok for playing tenor recorder and/or alto recorder? I have read tenor recorders are keyless. What does it mean related for example to alto recorder's fingering. Is it more difficult managing the production of notes? Thank you for your precious advices very useful and helpfull for beginner like me. Have a nice day. Alessandro

[@ThomasWyser]

I have a beginner question which may sound strange for all of you. Can I use sheet music for soprano recorder for the tenor recorder? There are plenty of books in book stores for soprano and alto recorders. But no or almost no books for tenors. Some books are marked “for soprano and tenor recorders”.

[@janjic]

I practiced for months on a cheap toy soprano recorder and have just yesterday opened my first tenor recorder ordered on Amazon - the exact plastic Yamaha that you showed in this video. Having been blissfully unaware of the size of the thing when ordering it, I fell from my chair when I saw it in full glory (or, rather, I would have fallen If I was sitting on one at the moment) :-) I can manage C, B and A, but G is already too much of a stretch, let alone the other lower notes. But I hope I'll get there eventually :)

[@royhopkins9248]

Sarah, you are absolutely nuts, but so lovely with it, and it's great to be taught by someone who knows what they are talking about ! Roy.

[@cAvAlEiRode]

A Channel about recorders...huh. Nice to meet ya, folks!

[@carlreid7726]

Hi Sarah, I've been watching your videos for a while now and how they're presented the information not to mention enthusiasm and fun makes watching them a real joy. I was a keen recorder player back in school days many moons ago 🙂but got back into playing recently. Also teaching my granddaughter to play which is fun. Quick question I know this video was released some time ago but I was wondering if you've had any experience in playing these 'Adler Heinrich Tenor Recorder Baroque' or the 'Adler Heinrich Tenor Recorder Baroque DK'. Both are sold by Thomann and I'm looking to purchase my first wooden recorder Or get family to get me one for my birthday hint, hint 🙂 I know these aren't the best on the market but I can't find may reviews on them I've never owned or played wooden recorder that I can remember so main points would be if they're in tune and second maintaining them even though I have large hands sometimes playing tenor recorders (my favorite) can be a stretch at times. Currently I have Aulos range of recorders Sopranino, Soprano, Alto and Tenor. Thanks Carl

[@giovannimaraboli8117]

It's funny because on your top 5 contemporary recorder pieces video, i commented with a link to a piece I wrote for tenor recorder. And now you have a video on getting started on tenor recorder. Thanks to this video, I might be able to try to play my piece one day. I don't even play recorder, but I respect the instrument alot.

[@elisabethpranger2898]

Wonderful video on the tenor. When I started 5 years ago, I frequently read that you should not start with the tenor recorders. So not true. I love its deep rich sound. It is just a wonderful instrument. :)

[@zorm_]

I am pianist and I have owned a soprano recorder for years just for the pleasure of being able to play a wind instrument. Now I consider buying a tenor one to increase my range

[@herongael4602]

Je suis violoniste et vous m'avez donné envie de jouer de la flûte ténor. Merci d'avoir traduit en français votre vidéo... Je m'abonne à votre chaîne. Vous avez une approche passionnée et originale de votre instrument de musique. Merci

[@vionafutselaar4935]

ik speel ook de blokfliut. geroetjes v.

[@waldenhouse]

Hi Sarah, I loved playing this at Leeds College of Music. Also, we played the Crumhorn. I wouldn’t mind playing it again. Of the new (affordable) ones, would you recommend any particular make? Great upload. Cheers. (The “eight foot” refers to the length of organ pipes. 8’ is “at pitch”).

[@joshuarobinson2338]

I am BIG fan ... after listening to the Yamaha Tenor, I purchased the "Yamaha YRT-304B Professional ..." - love the sound of it - thanks. BTW, you are very lovely, friendly, smart...and pretty...L..e in the air. :-)

[@LaLa55629]

I have a big wooden tenor recorder with a lovely melancholy tone. Where should I begin? Scales? Fingering techniques?

[@Hirvi47]

Thank you Sarah! - I bought a (second hand) Mollenhauer tenor made of dark pear wood. The instrument is beautiful but the lower C sounds actually a C-sharp ... It has a key lever and the pad seems to be closing well. I have been playing tenor recorders all my life (that's a lot of years). How do you recommend to approach this? Thanks Eduardo

[@polyanthajones8168]

I absolutely underestimated the stretch when I bought my first tenor recorder and decided to save a few Euros and get the keyless Aulos. And then I realized how true those stupid old saying are, especially the German "Buy cheap, buy twice" (wer billig kauft, kauft zwei mal)...

[@barbaradassi2231]

Hi Sara. I need your advice. I bought a curved tenor flute by moeck. Very beautifull. Except when I play it, there seems to be a breeze in the room. Like an echo that comes out of the window of the mouth. Could it be because it is curved? Or is it faulty? I wrote to customer support and they will let me know, in the meantime, I ask you that you are a great flutist. Hello from Barbara

[@sarahb5464]

I'm a classical singer looking for a slightly quieter musical challenge to hold me over ad expand my horizons during the COVID lockdown -- can anybody speak to the volume/neighbor disruption potential? I'd love an excuse to learn a new, beautiful, and somewhat affordable instrument!

[@eileencita]

I'm feeling nostalgic. I used to play the alto and the tenor recorders in highschool. :( I'm feeling like playing again.

[@martilewis44356]

I looked up the Yamaha plastic tenor YRT 304B. Amazon (U.S.) has it for $69.75. Their prices fluctuate from time to time. I recently bought book 1 of Der Fluyten Lust-Hof' by Jacob van Eyck from Flute World (U.S.) and it looks better suited to recorders than flute, although I can play it on flute.

[@thomasnguyen6144]

I find it relaxing when I play my tenor recorder.

[@flutegirl9124]

I have been playing the flute for 29 years. In addition to the concert flute, I also play alto and piccolo. I wanted to find a cheaper version of a wood wind, so I got two soprano recorders. One for me and one for my six-year-old niece. I also recently ordered myself a tenor recorder. Your videos have been really instructive. Thank you!

[@cutechiangels]

Hello! Which tenor recorders, cheap ones but good, would you recommend ? Thanks! 😉

[@barriejames7732]

Hello, you are a very good teacher, clearly knowledgable and with a wonderful personality that is wonderful...

[@stever9931]

Love your energy and enthusiasm. Is there not a standard length of TENOR recorder? Some are 17" ( Yamaha 304b) and some others are 27"

[@tinkerwithstuff]

Hrm, one should buy one with the double mechanism thingy, not single. There are also ones with none at all... and in a forum I saw the opinion these mechanisms are a playing hindrance :D Maybe that was just some hardcore oldschoolk player...?? I'm not sure what to buy.

[@eladhen2]

Finally bought myself a Tenor (Aulos 511b) and I'm enjoying it a lot! my enthusiasm for the recorder was surely fulled by your channel Thanks. A cool bonus: suddenly the alto feels so small and nimble!

[@piperfox74]

OMG. I just happened to buy a Dolmetsch tenor recorder from the 1970s at an antique mall last weekend. So glad I found your videos! Your personality is wonderful. Thank you!

[@wendycook9334]

I just bought one of those too... sounds lovely so far

[@julijuni6100]

Hi Sarah! I've got a big dilemma. My school choir will perform a baroque mess and the choir's conductor is searching tenor recorder player. I used to play sopran recorder and now I play flute. Can I learn playing the tenor recorder? Is it difficult? This performance will be a big chance because we'll perform the mess in abroad (Germany and Russia) too.

[@TheFadedStardust]

If you can still play Soprano recorder, then you already know the fingerings for tenor because they're both in the key of C (the tenor has the same range as your flute, in fact)! All you have to do is get used the size/weight and hand stretch differences (which just means practice, practice, practice!) Good luck!

[@enaphaid5213]

Hello, I hesitate between three woods from Denner Mollenhauer, cherry, boxwood and rosewood. I was very disappointed with the bent neck flute in cherrywood from Kung that I sent back suddenly I feel lost with the cherrywood...I don't really like keys but with my canta pearwood I have some difficulties but I love the sound of pear wich is very warm. But I want another wood. I'm not found of boxwood. I love olive wood but it's too expensive with keys...

[@filharmonix]

Someone sent me two Dolmetsch recorders. A treble and a tenor. Shame, the tenor has only one key. I'll have to find a way to add a second key to get C# Forgot to mention, they are Dolonite recorders, does that mean anything?

[@zsofiakapiller]

I have the Thomann Tenor ,really good one ;) as like the Aulos

[@resofactor]

I'm with you on that Tenor Recorder is my favorite size Recorder thus far. Bad childhood memories of other children's and poorly studied Soprano Recorder times. You know? Tenor has BODY! and is close enough in size in length the the Alto Saxophone that was my first Wind Instrument. Tenor Recorder feels like a real instrument. I picked up an MPI Tenor Recorder during the 2018 Holidays from Groth Music. The deeper tone is less shrill at times than the Soprano Recorder. Soparino Recorder would be my second favorite.