I tried a search so I might find the answer to my question and remain anonymous here, but I’m not looking for recording equipment!
I know there are some very knowledgeable recorder players here who love the instrument, so please advise me.
I play in a group that normally does all Irish trad, hooray, but now that it is the holidays and we can get gigs to play holiday music, my whistles aren’t as useful. I do half hole and cross finger when I can, but there are times when I need a loud clean note that happens to be an accidental that doesn’t sound so great coming out of my whistles. Our guitar player tends toward jazzy stuff when we let him choose…I think for next season I need, gasp, a recorder. I think I need an alto. What are some nicely made ones with good volume?? I had a Yamaha tenor once that was too quiet. I am willing to pay extra for wood. I don’t want to pay over 300.00 if I can help it. I did think about ordering Colin Goldie’s ten hole whistle, but for some reason I think a recorder would be more practical for my purposes…
Lisa
[ This Message was edited by: ysgwd on 2002-12-17 19:31 ]
MandoPaul,
Thanks so much for that link to Lee Collins. Many of my questions are answered because that site is full of information and advice. The improved Zen On sounds like a very good choice especially since I would be playing this instrument only for the odd tune once in a great while.
Lisa
I also figured that for as much as I played, the $60 soprano sounded as good as anything up to about $300. For that $240, I could get a really nice whistle.
Another very good choice for a low cost, low maintenance instrument is the Yamaha 302B series. You’ll find these many places, including, usually, Ebay, but you can get them easily and quickly ($35) from Boulder Early Music at http://www.bems.com. I have the whole set from sopranino to bass, and they are very satisfactory.
I have right in front of me an “Ideal” brand alto recorder, wood, in pretty good shape except I can’t get it apart right now (and won’t force it).
The finish is a bit worn off on the top of the mouthpiece, but not chewed on. The bottom two finger positions are double-drilled (or whatever you call it) for easier half-holing, I suppose.
Anyway, I never play it and was thinking of sending it off to eBay but haven’t gotten around to taking pictures.
Make me an honest offer and it’s yours. (If you want to check my eBay feedback, I’m “mvhplank” over there, too.)
I have this Aulos Tenor with an F which is undecided about playing true F or F#… I had to tape it for an F.
Now it keeps jumping up to high register on low notes (C to E), or has to be played extremely quiet on bottom end.
Should I flatten the blade (labium) a bit ?
BTW, is Zen-On just another commercial brand for Aulos ?
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2002-12-18 04:08 ]
I agree on the revoiced Aulos. My good (expensive) Von Huene was out for repairs for about a month, and the Aulos I got years ago filled in VERY nicely on some difficult solo work. Plastic is a good, safe choice for outdoor playing eg Caroling.
Also in a soprano, check out the cheap, clear plastic ones by Yamaha. I think courtlymusic.com carries them in pink, blue, and green. Very festive, funky looking and actually are very fine recorders for under $10
Lisa, I’ve got a big yamaha plastic recorder, an alto, I think. It’s in Seattle but I will be too in a few days. I’d be happy to lend it to you to see if it’s what you need. email me.
I am probably not suppossed to admit this, but I’m actually a recorder player who has become interested in whistles. If you’re looking for plastic the best choices are Yamaha and Zen-on. I have both, and prefer the Yamaha (zen-on models can be slightly flat but I do have the older versions). I really like the Yamaha woodgrain soprano(still plastic) which would probably fit a d whitle range better than an alto. The straight plastic sound is very good, actually close to a wood recorder costing 10 times as much. I have really good wood recorders and nothing matches the warmth and rich overtones of (an expensive)wood recorder, but for alot less investment you can come very close. Check out http://www.vonhuene.com or http://www.courtlymusicunlimited.com
The Antique Sound Workshop sells tweaked versions of the Yamaha 300 Series plastic recorders. The Yamaha 300 Series is generally considered one of the very best of the plastic recorders. I have a soprano with the imitation “Palisander” woodgrain. The physical appearance is much better than most other plastic recorders. Their website is at http://www.aswltd.com
On 2002-12-18 11:21, burnsbyrne wrote:
I checked out the web sites mentioned above. I have one question, why do recorders cost so much in comparison to fine, hand made whistles?
Mike
I second what others have said here. I have a lovely ebony Moeck, however many of the occasions where I play recorder are outside. So, due to clogging, I find myself usually playing my plastic Yamaha tenor or my Aulos soprano. I can highly recommend either make. However, no mistake, the Moeck is truly a joy to play if it’s indoors and worth its cost.
Hi Lisa,
Since I have your mailing address in our database
I’ve taken the liberty to send you a packet of
literature on recorders that I hope you might find
useful. I’ll agree with all posts here praising
Yamaha, Zen-on Recorders and all merchants
you been referred to are to the best of my knowledge
quite reputable. One thing you said that no
one seems to address is volume. The Yamaha
& Zen-on plastics are Baroque copies and
good instruments but the volume on the low
end tends to be a little weak. A Renaissance
style Larger Bore instrument just might be
what you are really looking for. We make
a Renaissance style Susato Alto recorder
in -F- for $54.00 and another great
option is Mollenahuer’s Adri’s Dream
Recorder which are Large-Bore Alto
Recorders in -F- out of Pearwood for
$235.00. A very nice instrument with
a lot of kick on the low end. Anyway,
see the literature when it arrives and
contact me if I can be of further help.
My apologies to anyone offended
by the implied “Commercialism”
in this post..
Mike,
Thanks for addressing the original nature of my question. Someone else has also recommended Renaissance rather than Baroque for precisely your reason.
Thanks for posting at the risk of sounding commercial–your information is relevant.
OT: We had a gig today in which I played my Susato nb high G for part of a tune. We began God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in 4/4 in Dm and then changed to 3/4 in Am with the addition of bodhran. The lower octave on this little whistle is superb for carrying over an exuberant guitar and drum without being too shrill at all. Thanks for making a high G at an introductory price!
Lisa
