I am thinking of getting a new recorder - descant I think - and am wondering if anyone can offer any advice in what to look for / models you play etc.

I dug out an old wooden school one to take to a composition class the other day, and it's a bit difficult in the upper notes. They don't come easily and are a bit sharp. Unfortunately it has a fixed foot.

I have always loved the sound of the recorder, and would be good to take it up again. I don't want to waste money on 'rubbish' but don't want to spend a fortune either!

Any thoughts welcome!

ive got a descant, its a yamaha one. but i dont really know much about them lol

mine is getting a little bit battered at the moment, ive taught my 1 1/2 yr old brother how to blow down it!(he used to hold it and stare it at!) and now he walks around the house swinging it and blowing, making a slight racket!
he likes putting the clarinet/sax mouthpiece in his mouth to but he hasnt quite grasped how to get a sound out yet!!!LOL

i think im going to be looking for a new recorder soon like you Emma!

There is an Aulos plastic recorder that retails at about £12:00 that makes a good sound and you will be able to get all of the top notes - maybe this will fit your purpose. I had one of these from the age of 11 and did recorder exams with it.
If you are wanting to get a wooden recorder and pay more than this have a look at the "Early Music Shop" website and their online catalogue and you will get an idea of what you might spend.
If you can visit their shop in Bradford you can also try them all out!!

Apologies - I just looked at the EMS website and although they list all their recorders they don't show prices.
Maybe ring up and ask for a catalogue?

If you want to get a wooden one I'd definitely recommend a Moeck Rottenburgh, either rosewood or olivewood. I have an olivewood one and it really sings beautifully! Boxwood is OK (and a fair bit cheaper) but they tend to be rather louder and less flexible, in my experience.

If you want a plastic one, the Yamaha 302 series are the best by far, in my opinion. The trebles in particular are extremely good for a plastic instrument. Going back about 15 - 20 years, Aulos used to be the best, but the Yamahas (the 302 series, not the cheaper ones!) are now definitely superior! I speak from over 20 years' experience as a recorder teacher.....

Are you near London? If you are, why don't you come to the Early Music Festival in a couple of weeks' time and try out lots of recorders there? I wrote a topic about it in the General Forum a day or two ago - I think it's scrolled off the top page now - no-one replied !

Unfortunately can't get to Greenwich mid-term and with a family to look after - however it looks great fun.

QUOTE (Emma C @ Oct 26 2004, 08:31 AM)

I am thinking of getting a new recorder - descant I think - and am wondering if anyone can offer any advice in what to look for / models you play etc.

I suggest you get a good quality plastic one (someone recommended a particular Yamaha model) and get back into playing on that. If you find that you want to play on a really regular basis it might be worth investing in a quality wooden one, but if you want something you can pick up and play whenever you feel like it, however long the gaps, then don't go for wood. Wooden recorders need playing in slowly when you first get them, and again after every long lay-off. If you don't do that you risk having them crack. My son played a wooden treble for several hours when it hadn't been touched for months, and it cracked right down the head.

The Aulos recorder mentioned is probably the model which EVERY schoolchild in Japan must purchase in elementary school. Yamaha make a similar model.

Therefore, the entry level models are designed to be absolutely reliable, indestructible, and economical! They are very good value for money, but they are not designed for perfect tone and to ###### with the cost.

As an adult, you have more choice and can sacrifice a little durability and economy, so a good plastic instrument can be very satisfying. I have a Yamaha plastic fife for teaching my kids how to play flute, and I'm currently hankering after a "plastic" baroque or classical flute, so that I can play chromatics without breaking my fingers and tying knots in my bottom lip the way I have to on my keyless wooden flute! I'll never fall out of love with the sound of wood, but modern plastics are truly fantastic. (One of my other lives involves aviation technology, and I've read a bit about modern composites).

Dolmetsch is good if you want a wooden instrument, although these are pricey. If you want a plastic one I'd recommend either Aulos or Yamaha. (I have a Yamaha plastic bass and I love it!)

You should check ebay out, you will likely pick up a nice recorder cheaper than buying new. As already recommended go with Yamaha and esp the 300 series as this series is spoken very highly of in recorder circles. They even do a simulated wood type in ebony and rosewood. Check this link-

www.ebay.co.uk

I'm going on with my present wooden ones at the moment, but I very nearly bought one from ebay a little while back. Really nice Dolmetsch set up..... and then it got a bit pricey. Not for what it was though. Someone got a real bargain!

QUOTE (Emma C @ Nov 20 2004, 08:37 AM)

I'm going on with my present wooden ones at the moment, but I very nearly bought one from ebay a little while back. Really nice Dolmetsch set up..... and then it got a bit pricey. Not for what it was though. Someone got a real bargain!

lol shame I missed that!

my wooden recorders come from an obscure shop in Norway. I think they were hand made by the owner of the shop - I don't know though, my parents bought them before I was even around! My favourite one is my wooden tenor... it's soooo gorgeous...

I've got a wooden tenor too, but find my fingers disappear down some of the holes if I'm not careful! Have to get it just right....

I'd love a really nice wooden treble.

QUOTE (Emma C @ Nov 21 2004, 01:43 PM)

I've got a wooden tenor too, but find my fingers disappear down some of the holes if I'm not careful! Have to get it just right.... I'd love a really nice wooden treble.

Hehehe that happens to me too! It's such a pain having mini fingers!!

I have a nice wooden treble... in fact I think I have two, I'm not sure, there's a big jumble of recorders in a drawer somewhere... but I find my Aulos treble easier to play... strange...

Has anyone seen the coloured transluscent Yamaha recorders. Groovy!

Tacky was what came to my mind

OK if you're 6!

I loved it. Almost bought one, although I havn't played recorder since I was 6... lack of taste and experience then?

My sisters first recorder was bright yellow and red. Quite cheep I expect too, yet she loved, and played it for years (well into secondary school). Tis far easier to hit the top octave notes on too, so she says, but perhaps thats simply because she's used to it.

I prefer stealing her aulos!