Which recorder should you buy? | Team Recorder

How to choose your first WOODEN recorder? This video is for people who already have a basic instrument, and want to make the step to buy a good, wooden recorder in an intermediate price range :)
In this video I demonstrate mainly altos, but it works for sopranos and tenors too!
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DISCLAIMER: 1) these are definitely not ALL the makes of recorder out there! If you have other recommendations, or are a recorder maker and want to highlight your product, please comment below! 2) prices may vary.
If you are in the Netherlands, please buy these recorders from AAFAB Recorder Center in Utrecht: www.aafab.nl
You can also go there are try out aaaalllll of the instruments!
/// THE RECORDERS
Click on the timestamps below to hear the recorders being played!
05:10 My basic plastic recorder: Yamaha YRS302B
tinyurl.com/luoev43
06:04 Moeck 'Rottenburgh' in maple
tinyurl.com/myteo9s
06:24 Moeck ''Rottenburgh' in grenadilla
tinyurl.com/myteo9s
07:18 Mollenhauer 'Denner' in boxwood
tinyurl.com/lzn5r7q
08:11 Mollenhauer 'Dream' in pearwood
tinyurl.com/lyep2n9
09:16 Dolmetsch 'Academy' in grenadilla
tinyurl.com/mnwmeb3
09:49 Dolmetsch 'Conservatoire' in maple
tinyurl.com/mnwmeb3
10:05 Dolmetsch 'Conservatoire' in palisander
tinyurl.com/mnwmeb3
10:56 Aura 'Studie' in maple
tinyurl.com/mr5fyj6
11:19 Aura 'Studie' in palisander
tinyurl.com/mr5fyj6
11:41 Aura 'Conservatorium' in pearwood
tinyurl.com/mr5fyj6
12:07 Aura 'Conservatorium' in grenadilla
tinyurl.com/mr5fyj6
12:41 Küng/Kueng garklein in pearwood
tinyurl.com/lzmqw26
How to hit the low notes on your recorder! Avoid squeaks and reach a clean and sonorous tone. I give you tips on your instruments, your fingers and your air stream to make sure you can acheive a rich sound!
OPEN RECORDER DAYS AMSTERDAM
25-29 October 2017
www.openrecorderdays.com/
Links to other videos I mention:
HAND POSITION
• RECORDER HAND POSITION...
HOW TO HIT THE HIGH NOTES
• HOW TO HIT THE HIGH NOTES
CLEANING YOUR RECORDER
• OILING and CLEANING yo...
In this video I play on a 440 alto by Yoav Ran, and a 442 tenor by Yamaha.
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Don't forget to check out my other videos, and SUBSCRIBE! Turn notifications on by clicking the 'bell' icon, then you never miss a thing. A new video will be posted every week!
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Website: www.sarahjeffery.com
Twitter/Instagram @sockmyshoe
Go #teamrecorder

[@Team_Recorder]

Hi everyone! Everyone is asking about the pieces I play in this video when trying the recorders: I start with 'Doen Daphne d'over schoone Maeght' by Jacob van Eyck, then I segue into the 'Allemande' Partita in A minor by Bach, then I improvise a bit :)

[@das136]

Thanks! I was just looking for that piece! Great!

[@hersheanlozadaa7284]

hi i came from phillipines.i like the music that you played while trying recorders godbless

[@andreainzaghi7373]

question: are there recorders that can play - without resorting to troubling leg-techniques-, 2 - 3 octaves. This is why some recorders are more expensive, not necessary hand made. I would love your advice on that, maybe a video on that subject. Without leg-technique, can you talk about recorders who can play HIGH NOTES with an over 2 octaves range

[@instrumentaddict30]

Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder what piece are you playing

[@instrumentaddict30]

Javier Das what is the piece called

[@wainpoole5514]

Covid-19 has me in lockdown at my Independent Living apartment, so I pulled out my tin whistle and recorder collection. Maybe I will get serious enough this time to learn to play decently. I bought my recorder about 60 years ago in Heidelberg Germany. It is a Walthari-Blockfloete No.1400, price 6 Marks. Due to the short length, it must be a Soprano. I enjoyed seeing and hearing the different instruments, and look forward to your other videos.

[@melodyhagan764]

im in the same boat i learned in the 7th grade and just now starting to relearn, im working with elderly so when at home i quarantine myself

[@cecilokatrona]

wow! i live in Heidelberg

[@heather333]

So, DID you torture your poor neighbours who were also locked in?

[@poewitx]

Don’t play the recorder, no desire to play the recorder, but Sarah is so effervescent I just enjoy watching her vids, it’s oddly uplifting, so bravo👏🏼🎸🇺🇸

[@hank1519]

She's an extraordinary person!

[@joden1057]

She is attractive. We’re I younger, single and in England I’d chase her like a duck after a June bug. ❤️

[@poewitx]

@@joden1057 your quacking me up🦆🦆🦆🤭

[@alejandrocorreafigueroa2677]

Same!

[@taz-on-the-looseyusef5526]

ive started liking recorders,i hated them in school

[@entpanimatics8070]

I’m a flute player so I’m biased

[@xander1052]

I'll take a Clarinet

[@meowsmakemusic718]

I may start recorder later, but right now I’m a pennywhistle kind of person.

[@DA-nk6gx]

In school, we were never really shown what a recorder could do. We just learn hot cross buns and that's it. On top of that everyone played it poorly. I always thought of a recorder as a lesser instrument though changed my opinion when listening to this channel.

[@sagardeka8373]

@@xander1052 recorder is better than a clarinet lol

[@amyx231]

The granidilla one gave me chills. The sound is superb! The price... not so much.

[@kishascape]

Not only do I really love the sound of the Grenadilla best, I also love the aesthetics. Same with staunton chess pieces I always love a well finished black wood. It's very baroque and medieval for me :3

[@stevenuniversefan1457]

Before I even watch much of the video, ima say for all of the harry potter fans out there, this place looks like the Olivander's of recorders.

[@Oaktreealley]

thought the same!

[@expensivemagic4754]

Fr

[@morrigambist]

Just my 2 cents: Soprano recorders are usually well-behaved, altos not so much. Three tests have caused me to reject some (expensive) alto instruments: 1). Finger alternate E (0-23) and blow firmly. If it cracks to high C, reject; 2). Finger high B (half 0-123-5) and blow firmly. If it cracks to high E, reject; 3). Cover all the holes and blow mildly without tonguing the note; if you get a foghorn sound rather than a good F# or a simple cracked note, reject. This has served me well over the years; it has also cost me a lot of money to buy more expensive instruments. As a general rule, the more you pay, the more you get. Also beware of fancy-named instruments whose high notes are not playable.

[@anonymousfellow8879]

Blake Morris My Yamaha Alto is better behaved than my Yamaha Soprano. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@adrianbird1964]

Great I've just tried these 3 tests on my plastic aulios and it's failed all 3

[@morrigambist]

@@adrianbird1964 At least you didn't spend $2500 on it only to be disappointed.

[@adrianbird1964]

@@morrigambist there is that 😂 I have only been playing for a few weeks. So all beginner stuff grade 1 or below. It's doing fine for that much at least.

[@rickmccloy4201]

I am obviously missing something obvious here, so please forgive what you almost certainly turn out to be my ignorance. Why is it that with all tone holes covered I should expect an F# rather than an F when testing my alto?

[@feliperoos9476]

Wow. This is the best review I've ever seen about recorders. Thank you so much.

[@markerdmann9790]

Sarah, I've been watching your videos for about a year now, and this one was one of my first! Thanks to your wonderfully informative videos, I finally made the plunge and got my first wooden recorder, an alto Mollenhauer Denner! In 2002 I did a workshop at West Dean College with Marianne Mezger, who told me I would sound much better on a wood recorder, and now that I have one I totally agree! Your video gave me the confidence to make a decision on which one to buy, and I am really enjoying it!

[@davidbyrhtnoth375]

Brilliant. Thanks for explaining in such detail. You're a real star!

[@jacekai8380]

I can't wait to get my Yamaha 302B Alto, I love playing and learning about the recorder. I've been playing a Yamaha Soprano for 9 years, and I enjoy your videos so much :)

[@yellowlynx]

I played the recorder during my high school in an class band (soprano recorder), and then later on picked up the alto recorder. Your videos inspired my to dig up those recorders I stowed away in the drawers and start playing again.

[@2628064379]

Great video Sarah. The listener can really hear the difference between the various instruments. Love your playing!!!

[@markdutta4467]

indeed.

[@jan861]

Mmh, still you can't compare listening online with actually trying it yourself in a store. Just from my little experience speaking so far…

[@rollierwin2813]

Wow this is a very GOOD introduction to the world of wooden recorders. I can hear the differences in the sounds of various models and this helped a lot. Thank you Sarah :)

[@bipolatelly9806]

My playing has improved muchly in the short time I've been watching you. Dankeschon mon amigo!

[@donnahughes-barton9737]

This is such a good video, thank you! It is really helpful to hear the same tunes played on recorders of different woods, and different brands, so you can make a comparison. I love that loud grenadilla Moeck, but also love the soft pearwood and maple recorders. I agree that it's important to listen without judging the wood or look, and go with what feels best.

[@1cagivaelefant]

Hi Sarah, As a child I played my Aulos soprano for several years. Now I'm trying to teach my son some basics and bought myself a Hohner wooden alto. I have got a new hobby and enjoy your just discovered videos. They are interesting, funny and really good! Kind regards.

[@gabrielvieira9832]

2 years ago I was dying for a video like this!! Thank you very much

[@katerlinmossa8940]

Great video Sarah!!! I’m looking to buy an intermediate level recorder and you are really helping me a lot!! Thank you so much!! ❤❤❤

[@britainonabudget]

Thank you so much! Trying to decide on a new recorder, so I really appreciate your advice. 😀🎵

[@kc0dxf]

Thank you so much for this very informative video!

[@MsFiddle3]

Wow, what a wonderful video on first Wooden recorder! So many delightful different sounds, thank you.

[@josephgladney4136]

What a fantastic video. I literally am in love with this girl. Great recommendations!

[@i2harry]

Oh my listening to you playing, it really is the musician who makes the difference

[@KnottaDoctor]

Instantly a big fan! Just came here to find a recorder for my son and was drawn in by your presence! Keep it up!

[@memetemre]

You produce such beautiful content in the name of flute and music and no matter how much I thank you, it's not enough. If I had watched this video at the age of 15, maybe I could have become a flutist too. Now, in my 40s, instead of watching it as a hobby while doing a completely different job. I'm sure there are young musicians out there who are currently 15 years old and will become great thanks to your videos. Watching you is very enjoyable. I wish your videos continue with this energy🧡

[@fattylumpkin78]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent, this was very helpful!

[@dennisgeiger3515]

I own a Mollenhauer Denner in Pearwood and it is just so beautiful! It sounds sweet and sophisticated.

[@davidecristanelli]

I've always loved the recorder, and I love it even more since I came across Sarah's channel. Btw: this shop is a heaven on earth!

[@notallgarbage]

Oh boy! You are a great recorder player!! I started playing the clarinet a few months ago. Today, I was watching tin whistle stuff, then I saw a very beautiful face with a recorder and clicked it and here you are!! Great videos!! Thumbs up!

[@mmartinsrj]

Such a clarifying video! Thanks a lot!

[@jacobienw7332]

Thanks a lot! Very helpful to hear all your advise. I have made a step in between, so to say. I got fed up with the plastic sound, but thought it to hard to decide about a new wooden one, so I found two second hand (Marktplaats in the Netherlands). Now I have a Aura study in pearwood and an old maple Rothenburg Moeck. So nice to experience the differences. Finding out how much more I can blow in to the Moeck, and how different sounds can be. I find it hard to Judge second hand models, so I have not spent to much. Still dreaming of a fine brand new alto, but this works for now.

[@nowthenad3286]

I doubt that i am going to buy a recorder but your video was so interesting that I was hooked. Excellent. 15 minutes well spent. Many beautiful instruments beautifully played.

[@GlenShannon]

I love this video, and you were able to capture the differences in sound very nicely. One thing that wasn't mentioned is that some of those woods weigh considerably more than others. For example, grenadilla is really heavy!

[@Team_Recorder]

Very true!

[@rodrigoabdogelpi8550]

Sarah! Congratulations, from Brazil. Wonderful job.

[@ellengeorge4977]

This was a very helpful vlog. I have purchased recorders both in a recorder shop and by mail order. In the case of my alto which I purchased recently and is a Mollenhauer Denner, I went to the Von Heune Early Music location in Boston and played approximately ten different alto recorders, new and used, in the mid price range. I have also purchased recorders by mail on two occasions. In both cases, the recorder stores were willing to send me three recorders to try out based on my specifications and their advice. I then chose my favorite and sent the other ones back. This method is sometimes the only option. I live in the USA and there are very few recorder shops. I can think of three off hand and they are scattered throughout the nation. There's a third option.I have never done this personnaly , but I know people who have purchased recorders at recorder gatherings /workshops where recorder sellers bring lots of instuments for participants to try out.

[@SESChoir]

Just ordered a Denner Alto in pearwood after watching your video. Thank you so much for posting all this great info. I mentioned your name when I made my order. You deserve a lot of credit! Thanks for your recorder enthusiasm. I thought it was a bit over the top until I actually got into playing, myself. 😄

[@Team_Recorder]

Haha I’m happy to hear that I converted you 😉 Thank you for mentioning my name, and enjoy your new instrument!

[@brentbreault7606]

After watching your video, I decided to buy my first ‘real’ wooden recorder. I picked the Aura Studie in rosewood. Thank you Sarah, you are an inspiration! It’s great of you to make videos that show the world what the recorder is truly meant to be! I think it’s unfair that less than 60 years of poor quality recorders in elementary schools can erase hundreds of years of great repertoire, written by the greats like Handel, Bach, Telemann, and Vivaldi, just to name a few. Anyways, I digress. Thanks again for the amazing videos!

[@Team_Recorder]

Ahh you are welcome! And congrats with your new instrument! 😄

[@screamityeah]

After 4 years did you learn to use it?

[@RGL01]

Great video!! Thanks so much, Sarah!!!

[@philipdoyle2847]

Really love your videos!!

[@idahagglund524]

I literally 'just' got back home from the second hand store with a larger kind of recorder (Heinrich) in tow. No idea what the difference is, but noticed at once it's much more difficult to not go up one (or two or three) octaves, than on my regular cheap recorder I've had since I was in pre-school. Very sensitive. But I love the sound. It's deeper and more... wheezy, if you can describe it like that. Your videos really helps me out getting started playing again after a lot of years of inactivity.

[@rachelk3965]

Thank you for the video!

[@zingingcutie2364]

The grenadilla alto was beautiful. I recently bought my first wooden soprano.

[@tenorrecorderblockflutestu524]

Thanks for the video. When I shop for my "next step" recorders I just tell what instrument (soprano alto etc) and what price range I am looking for and they bring me a choice of usually 5 recorders. Then, with my eyes closed (just not to be biased by how they look) I try them all, and surprisingly, my final choice is between two winners - Kung and Molenhauer. ..and don't forget to get your VAT receipt! Yes , in a $300-500 range one can get excellent student wooden alto and fancy looking curved comfort tenor, but remember that plastic is indeed fantastic!

[@debhayes2822]

Thank you so much for your awesome video!

[@allhailalona]

In all my 12 years of playing alto and treble, I tried many recorders. And never have I found a recorder better than the 10$ aulos. No need to clean too much like in wooden, and the sound remains fresh forever.

[@hakneyj]

Very useful thanks. I am considering an Adri's Dream soprano for my birthday in July, but will also look again at Aura and Mollenhauer with fresh ears.

[@miketango1141]

Watching your videos cheered me up🙂 thankyou..

[@HolyHenry-u2u]

Thx for this great video. It was very interesting to hear the different sounds of the instruments. I really like the sound of the grenadilla instruments but I here in Germany these are very expensive. I've got an alto made of cherry wood which sounds very light and sweet. It's a really different sound compared to the sound of an alto made of maple I played before. Btw I subscribed your channel :)

[@WolfyGreen]

If choosing a wooden recorder make sure you have plenty of choice - in England the Early Music Shop, Saltaire (nr. Bradford) has a wide selection of all the price ranges - and a 'second hand' section too (sometimes a bargain, sometimes not). However - take someone (a musician) with you as hearing yourself play can be deceptive. Or, record the sound you make on your phone and go and have a coffee and a listen before you buy!

[@beckiejbrown]

There are so many!! :)

[@johnnybunnyh4069]

Yeah so many recorders

[@LeenaLittleElf]

I just love this video! Must visit that place once in my life. ^_^

[@gregorybaynham1122]

ty that was awesome you answered a lot of my own thoughs

[@Folkskelet]

I love your video's! en je Nederlands is echt goed! 😎 I play a vintage aura alto from 1962 and a Roessler alto that I received as a gift from a friend. It is a renaissance model and in a slightly different pitch. And I have a Moeck soprano in either pear or maple (I forgot...) :-p. and then! No recorder, but close: I looooove my Burke whistles so much! The best out there imo.

[@rachaelbratsch]

I love the sound of the Dolmetsch Academy the most. So beautiful 😍

[@ugrasdurmus8704]

what an amazing video.... thank you very much

[@vivianleenet]

Oh be still my heart. The maple has won me over.

[@stephenmartin8197]

I love maple! The bright, open sound - I bought a Moeck Rottenburgh alto in maple, based on this video.

[@itsmeGeorgina]

Hehe... I also ordered A Moeck Rottenburg (Soprano) My friend has one, and it sounds so clear and wonderful -- and she uses argan oil for upkeep, and so will I

[@stephenmartin8197]

@@itsmeGeorgina Rottenburghs are impregnated with paraffin and don't need oiling. They're pretty low maintenance!

[@itsmeGeorgina]

@@stephenmartin8197 Oh, so I guess her maintenance with argan oil is just on the surface? Outside and not inside Anyway, her recorder looks great, and sounds great, I have no idea why I suffered with my squeeky Yamaha all these years

[@stephenmartin8197]

@@itsmeGeorgina I'm glad you like it ! Well, oiling won't hurt it.

[@flavioserci6046]

Wow... this shop is a paradise!

[@johnroberts262]

Excellent, thank you.

[@mauriciolacruz]

I liked this video very much! 👍🏻

[@thapeloheath]

I love the Dream one in pear! Another great video, useful and really fun. I'm looking forward to a trip to a music store or ten. My latest blue translucent device sounds a bit harsh, but what can one expect for less than a Euro? Well, the best value i've found for a new recorder was a Wal-Mart special made with a million injection moulded parts. ...After my machinist friend waved a variety of magical charms over them for a while chanting incantations to appease the gods of mass-production, we had two really nice-sounding, well-tuned instruments. For less than a Euro's worth for the PAIR of them.

[@MegaJepster]

Very helpful thanks.

[@goldenrule9966]

Hi Sarah, I appreciate you videos. Thank you. Do you recommend learning soprano and alto separately or simultaneously?

[@hakonsoreide]

Whenever I hear sound comparisons, I always prefer the maple or pearwood instruments to the palisanders or grenadillas. The hardwoods are louder and brighter, but also harsher, and the softwoods have that gentle, dreamy sweet sound. The Aura Studie in palisander, however, actually sounds like a loud more focused softwood. Such a beautiful sound. I'll consider getting one of those some day. I've also got a Mollenhauer Dream in pearwood on my wishlist. At the moment, I am quite happy with a hand-finished Bernolin resin alto recorder, though, which also makes an excellent intermediate instrument: it is made like a wooden recorder, but turned from a block of resin rather than wood, and it's similar in sound to a maple instrument. It needs a bit of anti-condensation, though. It clogs more easily than my Yamaha plastic recorders.

[@hakonsoreide]

@Black Bamboo My first proper soprano was maple, so I actually quite like it, but not as much as I like pearwood. I think some of the bias towards the harder woods is the recorder has had to do something it wasn't designed for: compete with other evolving instruments in a battle for volume. The recorder couldn't keep up, and the traverse flute (which ironically, perhaps, sounds like it's made of soft fruitwood regardless of which material it is constructed from) took over and basically killed the recorder off as an orchestral solo instrument for a few hundred years. One could say the recorder was a casualty of the first loudness war. In addition to that, we tend to equate price with quality, and also (since we create and get inspired through all the senses) striking exotic looks with quality. It costs more and looks nicer, so it has to sound better, right? If you want that to be true, you will prefer the sound, even if it is simply to justify the expense you went to to acquire it. Of course, once you start playing recorders together with modern instruments, it may well be that a particular wood more easily blends, balances with, or stands out from it, whichever is the desired effect, and this is where the exotic hardwoods often have an edge - but it should not be taken as a given that softer woods need be ruled out until you try. Especially once you factor in amplification and the potential for processing, effects and EQ, when there is no reason a pearwood instrument can't sound exactly how you want it to together with modern instruments too.

[@bgdn5]

I like the sound of the bamboo flutes, they are amazing and the price is simply unbeatable. It is interesting to hear Sarah's opinion on the sound of bamboo flutes. Yes, bamboo often cracks, but the price allows you to buy them at least every year. Please Sarah, get involved in the presentation of these flutes too, and in a turban with a tassel you will look inimitable.

[@nicoledebeer2833]

Thanks for this great overview! I have the Yamaha, a Mollenhauer Denner in pearwood, and an Aura study in palissander (all altos). I like each instrument for different purposes: the Yamaha is great for practice, the Denner has a more mellow sound and is great for baroque ensemble, and the Aura has a cleaner and a bit sharper sound, which is nice for contemporary music. I'm looking into getting a tenor, maybe a Denner in pear or boxwood. Problem is how to compare models from different makers, so I'll probably have to wait until this summer's Oude Muziek Markt...

[@easonshum6061]

Wow Sarah, thanks for your advice on buying wooden recorders. Well, I'm a 16-year-old recorder player from Hong Kong. I bought a rosewood treble recorder by a Japanese recorder maker, Takeyama. It's great 👍🏻 and the sound is bright and beautiful. But it's a handmade instrument so it's a bit expensive. It's around €1300. But I recommend it to anyone who want to buy a professional instrument.

[@chrisjacob8774]

Sarah - enjoying your videos so much! Would love to see a video focusing on tenor recorders. I am looking to upgrade my Yamaha 304BII to an intermediate wooden instrument. Seems to be so much variation in finger hole distances, knick, comfort, etc. Thanks.

[@abooksreview]

I love the sound of the Mollenhauer Dream! While looking for an alto in US$, I discovered the alto (and only the alto) also comes in grenadilla. As my second favorite is the Aura Conservatorium in grenadilla, I am wondering if the sound difference between the two woods specifically in the Dream is worth twice the price.

[@tobyteng7522]

Hi Sarah! My favourite is the Moeck ''Rottenburgh' in grenadilla. Thank you for showing us so many choices! I have not own any of the instruments you have shown except the Yamaha one.

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

Toby Teng - good choice - I have two Moeck Rottenburgh's a treble in pearwood which I bought secondhand off ebay and my gorgeous soprano in pallisander. Look out for old Moeck Tuju's on ebay too - easy to play and a nice clear sound - good for folk music.

[@tobyteng7522]

honeychurchgipsy6 Thanks for the recommendations!

[@emilynightingale7758]

maybe it's just me but i much prefer the maple over the more expensive woods

[@ShaneGalito]

Emily Nightingale I also prefer the maple too

[@kukacostejberizs]

At the harp, the maple finish is the most expensive...

[@proserpina4448]

Me too. Maple wooden recorders have a wonderful warm and smooth sound

[@RoxannSouci]

Every wood has a different tone. I personally do not care for with maple or pear wood. It just depends on the type of tone you enjoy hearing. Plum, cherry, and olive are my favorites.

[@emilynightingale7758]

@@RoxannSouci you know what, i was just looking into getting a new recorder as I'm a lot better than I was a year ago and I was going to go for olive wood. Seems my taste has changed since then. What a shame olive wood is so much more expensive haha.

[@renuu5199]

I play a Denner Bass Recorder made of pearwood and I can only recommed it. I've learned a lot form your vidoes and I am suprised and jealous every time I watch your videos. You play like a goddess C:

[@akosmos]

I have a Yamaha YRS-23 recorder, i love it.

[@LarryShone]

Some beautiful instruments here, those Aura ones seem great value for money. But can I just say, the acoustic in there sounds to die for!

[@emmaoneill3346]

It's 1.15am and I love your videos.Fabulous re the different types of wood sound makes price brilliant video.Do you teach somewhere?!

[@greycarson3151]

WOW!! What a great video, Sarah!! I don't play the recorder but wondered if I could pick one up and learn enough to play the flute part in the song 'Heard It In a Love Song' in my band.....thought the recorder might be easier to play than a flute (maybe I'm wrong). Now, I'm fired up to learn the recorder!!

[@Team_Recorder]

Yassssss!

[@greycarson3151]

Haha!!! Bought a $8 Yamaha plastic recorder at the local Sam Ash and having some fun with it! Already playing some simple tunes. Thanks for the inspiration! As a classical music fan, I'm now looking for some more recorder pieces to add to my collection....and probably hear how TERRIBLE I am on the instrument!!

[@mariarelada3525]

Thank you very much!

[@markdeegan4916]

Thanks for a very interesting video: it's great to hear so many different recorders compared. I found your comments on maple and pearwood instruments interesting. I've read in a few places that these softer woods are not as long-lasting as the harder woods and that the instruments can "play out" fairly quickly. It'd be interesting to read people's comments on this: how long can you expect a softer wood recorder to last? My own wooden treble is a Mollenhauer Denner in castello wood, by the way. It's a lovely instrument to play and I would recommend it to anyone.

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

Mark D - I've heard this too, and yet they often make the big recorders out of these woods for lightness, and if you are paying out a few grand for a bass or contrabass, I think you'd expect it to last. I have an old Moeck Tuju in Maple which has a straight windway so probably made in 1970's ??? and it takes so much abuse from me - not cleaning it etc. and it plays amazingly well. However, it did start complaining recently - sounding husky etc. - and I thought maybe it was nearing the end (which would be very sad as i love it) so I removed the block cleaned and oiled it etc. after watching one of Sarah's vids, and now it sounds fantastic again - apparently the Tuju sopranino was very good - I keep my eyes open for one on Ebay but they never come up!

[@Team_Recorder]

That's a good question - I have heard the same! But indeed, in some of my ensembles we have maple consort instruments that are over 20 years old and are still going strong. I think it depends very much on what kind of music you are playing, how much you play, and how well you take care of the instrument. I had an alto in grenadilla that I used to play hardcore contemporary music on - a lot!!! - and after about 8 years it was well and truly done. I think I could have taken better care of it thought. So I would go for the recorder that you like the sound of the most, and that feels the best for you, and just take good care of it :)

[@GuirriGandul]

Hi Sarah, a wonderful video (as always) but may I make a suggestion for future 'comparison' presentations. Try recording without audio compression so the differences in volume of each recorder may also be compared. I understand that most devices automatically apply this processing and the manual level setting may be difficult to access or not available at all. I'm in no way trying to knit-pick but I could discern no variation in volume across the whole sample set yet I suspect at the extremes it was quite marked. As an aside, once (after recording) I accidentally had audio compression on when I was performing classical guitar live. I felt I was playing really well all morning yet I was not connecting with the audience in the way to which I was accustomed. When I returned for the afternoon session I realised the mistake, turned the compression off and the intimacy and life returned. The contrast was really profound, I would compare it to the difference between listening to a CD or being at the performance in person. Thanks, and best wishes.

[@TruthSeekerAi]

wow Sarah you are awesome with this instruments i just got the Yamaha YRS-302B Soprano Recorder, Baroque fingering, Key of C and i am clueless to playing it lol i had this in my music class back when i was in school in the 80s 90s but i was raised in a very bad time and place in nyc east ny brooklyn so i couldn't learn things like this i had to learn to stay alive lol but i always made music all my life tho electronically even tho i never learned music theory i can hear what i like as a start and build from there. after awhile of fighting to make music i found i luv not knowing cause it comes from a place of mystery, i think i am a real musician in the sense as in i hear music in me and fight to get it out with anything i have. this has worked for me well for almost 36 years out of my 46 on earth but i said when i turn 47 on april 26th this year i will do more live instruments not for recording them but to play them and master 1 i like this instrument indeed. it was great finding you you are amazing with this instrument i hope to be as good 1 day. i like this instrument because it is so small but powerful and wow sounding when played right is the key or in key lol i wish you goodness health and protection evils 1 luv Ameer/Reemabeats taurus age46 nyc check out some of my works if you wish soundcloud.com/ai-ri5

[@nizidafabie]

I happen to live quite close to Utrecht.. i guess i know where my next trip is going to

[@dantewilson880]

as you released this video i got my first wooden alto recorder, which is the one you are holding in moment 5:31, I cannot believe the difference. I have played my Alto Yamaha YRA302B Yra-302B for about a year and a half (every day) and I just got the Moeck. Thought it was pronounced Moe-awk (almost like Moe Hawk lol) anyways. Ya it has a great sound, too tempted to played it for a while but i know its best to break it in throughout the summer.

[@helenaemmarasmussen1073]

I love your channel ♥️

[@bevspicer538]

Thank you, Sarah!

[@berserkersam9118]

Thank you Sarah this video is very helpful. I've been trying to find a good wooden Tenor recorder and have been having difficulty. Most of the deals I find are either plastic, I'm not sure if I trust the brand (when it comes to recorders I only trust German sounding brand names), or I don't know if the thumbrest has already been applied (ebay deals). I'll be sure to check out the links you posted.

[@lilikatebuggins374]

I am in love with the tone of the Moeck in Grenadilla, sadly there is no way I can afford one but just happy to know that I have an expensive ear :) Maybe one day...

[@helenandrichard]

Came across this video when trying to find reviews of quality recorders. I've now watched about 10 of your vids Sarah, and I've learnt so much. (I'm a 61 year old guitar teacher and harmonica player and player of other stringed instruments, but never tried woodwind before, so this is all new to me) I've come to the conclusion I need to wait a while and play the inexpensive Alto I've bought 2 weeks ago until I decide which direction to go, but I do like the 'dream'. I've lost the top end of my hearing though too many decibels in the old days, so I'll probably end up buying something with far too much treble, and not be able to tell! Richard, Northumberland, England. By the way, what do you think of the yamaha 400 eco recorder?

[@dcartier1692]

But - our dear Sarah - they ALL sound perfectly desirable in your capable hands! Ps.it would be great to see you do an in depth review and comparison of several of the more idiosyncratic models, like the “Dream”, Küng Marsyas, etc.

[@notafan1275]

There's a number of shops (in Germany, but they should exist elsewhere as well) that will send you a selection of recorders to choose from and I think it's well worth finding one of them. Nothing beats a direct comparison, and I've ended up buying recorders I might not necessarily have chosen otherwise.

[@emilialandivar888]

Well, surely these recorders sound fantastic!

[@diegolicata01]

Hello Sarah, love your videos!, what are your thoughts on straight vs curved windways, also what do you think about yamaha wooden recorders, are they worth it?

[@charlesbarkema8021]

I think Sarah did a video on the different airways, and I've been looking for that one too. However I don't think she showed the ends of the mouthpiece to show the difference.

[@ibib363]

Just bought a Mollenhauer Dream flute soprano in grenadilla!! A truly powerful, yet nice sound. Maybe the loudest you can get? With that I am strong enough to play dance/ folk music with a violin, viola and percussion. Actually, I even love to play baroque music with it. Gives you a quite new experience ... maybe in early days some (few?) Renaissance recorders made their way all through the baroque era ;-) who knows...

[@martilewis44356]

Congrats. I'm going to wait a while, but I've had my eye on the Moll. Adri's Dream edition alto in plum wood. I didn't know that grenadilla was available.

[@ibib363]

martilewis44356 Yes, the plum wood is pretty nice, as well. But if you need more power, i can strongly recommend the grenadilla one ( it is even more powerful than most of the baroque recorders in grenadilla) perfect for folk music!

[@ibib363]

The Adris dream flute in grenadilla is only(!) available at blockfloetenshop.eu or directly at the workshop in Fulda, Germany (where I got it from)

[@brbrofsvl]

How high can you play on it? The Mollenhauer site says only up to written D, but sometimes I need to get up to written G above the staff. Can you do it even with the wide bore?

[@christianmonturanoii6539]

I forgot about her watched her over a year ago and forgot. I love the recorder

[@zuditaka]

Sarah, you'll have to do an outdoor video and show us which highest notes will trigger a little bird to respond with a trill! How best to speak the language of birds with a recorder? Nothing like picking up a recorder and having a bird respond in about half a millisecond after the first note is played! (I think birds can think and twitter faaaaaaster than humans can!)

[@zuditaka]

🐦 🌳🌳 ♩♪♫♬🐦🌳

[@frannbug]

Get hold of some Messiaen! He wrote a lot of music directly derived from bird song. Though probably not for the recorder.

[@zuditaka]

♩♪♫♬🐦 Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check Messiaen out. ;D

[@zuditaka]

Tee-hee! Giggle! 🐦

[@zuditaka]

🎶 🐦 Well, I don't know if the nightingale's natural song can be improved upon, or the blackbird's, but it's interesting to learn that human beings were training birds to sing particular tunes, or, at least, after a style. It's known that blackbirds mimic ambulance sirens and outdoor telephone sounds, and things. I notice that blackbirds talk, and sing too, to themselves under their breath! Like subvocalisation in humans. I guess they are "thinking aloud"! lol 🎶🐦 🌳

[@DavidMaurand]

left out is 'why' grenadilla is more expensive than, say, palisander or maple. Two reasons, primarily. First the difficulty in getting raw stock billets for the head, center, and foot that visually match and don't have knots or cracks. The second is the difficulty in working the wood - hard woods like grenadilla are more difficult on tools and craftsman. i have instruments of each type, in both modern and baroque pitch and have even played the plastic in concert. (i roughed up the exterior with sandpaper - looks like wood grain - and had a wood block in one of them.) Practice is more important than the wood.

[@miyazakytrb]

Thank you for your amazing movie ! BTW, I'd like to make a advise for Yamaha recorder's name, not YRS-302 but YRA-302 :) . "A" is alto, and "S" is soprano for each in Yamaha.

[@robertnoblitt518]

My first wooden recorder was a Moeck Flauto Rondo soprano in maple. I like it a lot and feel it is a bargain at the price (from Thomann). It is easy to play and sounds better than my plastic recorders. I chose it because I saw Sarah playing a similar Moeck Rondo soprano in another video about Folk Ornaments and it sounded great. However I recently upgraded to a Mollenhauer Denner soprano (Pearwood), and it is a significant improvement over the less-expensive Moeck Rondo. Now I wish I had bought the Mollenhauer to begin with.

[@hoangquocgiap3485]

Hi Sarah, thank you so much for your videos. I really like the way you explained about instruments in your videos. A question for you please: I m learning to play bamboo flutes, and I m looking to play classical pieces with my bamboo flutes. Would you please suggest me some pieces I can play ?

[@PianoBeaShar]

Oh my gosh, I love the grenadilla at 9:14 ! 😭

[@ves6189]

Very good video. I remember when I have bought my first recorder. In my country we have the same word for flute and recorder so I was sure I was buying a flute. Not really. But still I'm happy with my 5 year old recorder.