Yes, I succumbed and bought a recorder from E-bay. I was the only person bidding for it, and got it for the princely sum of £2.50 - last of the big spenders, me.

The advert said it was a "Aulos Sopranino - not used for years". And the photograph was indeed of an Aulos sopranino, one of the ones with a white spot on the front.

But when the instrument arrived, it wasn't the one in the picture. Instead of being in three parts, it was in one. It was covered in greasy, gungy grot, which I dealt with courtesy of a bowl of very hot washing up water and a nail brush. And after using Jo's clever trick of cutting up a business card to clear the muck out of the windway I washed it again and dried it. And then sat down to have a good look at it.

Not a sopranino at all - it is a garklein! One of the ones Aulos are selling for £30 or so at the moment. Not a bad result for £2.50!

I sent the seller a note, pointing out to her that the instrument she'd sent wasn't the one pictured - and she offered me my money back.........

I think I'd better quit this E-bay lark while I'm ahead!

Will you keep it?

Yes

of course she'll keep it - garkleins are SO useful .....

Nice one, katyjay

I only learned today that garklein apparently comes from "gar klein Flötlein" (really small flute) - so it's a reallysmall. OK, well it amuses linguaphiles like me

I've only got a gar kein garklein! (None at all, in other words...)

Oooh you are lucky Katyjay - I really want to buy a garklein, and have been checking ebay for them! Maybe Liz will bring one to the leicester concert

No can do, sorry. Aulos are one of the many companies that won't supply us.

Liz

Oh, that is a shame. I'm looking forward to trying out any recorders you bring with you though Liz, if that's OK.....I'm also wondering about getting a new tenor

Ditto. I'd really like to try knick vs no-knick if poss.

That reminds me, I need to ask Jo if I need to bring spare recorders.

Any plans to bring an alto or bass flute Liz??? *begging smile*

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you sell all but one - then we'll all be happy hehe.

Was thinking of asking for one for my birthday, mainly as a curiosity. So just wondered: what are they useful FOR?

Starting conversations, if nothing else!

LadyMoonlight has just got a new dog .

Nothing at all as far as I can see, except perhaps a way of playing a sopranino top F sharp in a somewhat easier fashion.

Liz

Quite useful for annoying bats and other animals with hearing into ultrasonic frequencies! I think Piers Adams used one in the Red Hot Baroque show (looked like an Aulos from where we were sitting!). Though to be honest I think it is the only instrument I've got that I really can't give a real reason for having other than as a rare example of my successful pester power to parents aged about 15!

ahem. Or stopping conversations, if they are given voice..
(Wish there were a smilie with stopped ears.)

I think I've read that in centuries past they were used to encourage/teach tame canaries to sing! Can anyone confirm this?

Well sopraninos were, so I can imagine that Garkleins would do too. They used to teach all sorts of birds new and exciting tunes to make them easier to sell to people. "The Bird Fancyer's Delight" is a book of tunes suited to each type of bird's range and style etc. Don't know how well it worked, though!