@@TayLeeYen sometimes it's scary, i remember i saw something in another device with different account and all then yt recommended something similar in my phone ._.
I bought the Yamaha tenor, and thought there was something wrong with it, as I had a terrible time with the low d and c. This video totally fixed the recorder, amazing, isn't it?
Yep! Same here, I bought an alto and a tenor at the same time, getting on fine with the alto, and so thought there must be something wrong with the tenor, but thought I'd better wait a bit to make sure, and not make a fool of myself in the music shop. What a relief to find out there's nothing wrong with the instrument. It's just me that sucks.
I had no idea how beautiful a recorder is. I brought this thing for $2 thought it would be cool to help me with my music theory, but this is an amazing instrument and my posture was terrible and i was rolling my right hand. Im a substitute teacher and i have a lot of days where i have nothing to do, so i thought i could carry this around. Its so much easier to carry than a guitar. Thanks again. Ive already learned so much
Thank you, you are now becoming best recorder education channel on youtube. Thank you so much. All simple and great explanations, you are a great teacher.
Thanks, Sarah, for the helpful tips. I'm in my third week of learning to play the tenor recorder and have been having difficulties with the lower notes. I'm now keen to improve my playing!
Ah!!!! Last night I mentioned it was cool that there'd be a new video in the morning for my birthday! And you even played happy birthday for me... great way to start the day.
Thank you Sarah!! I've always casually played the recorder and recently thought it might be nice to upgrade from the one I was given in elementary school. Going from German to Baroque and flat mouthpiece to curved mouthpiece has proven more difficult than I thought it would though! Especially on the low notes. Definitely going to try your tips!
Sarah, thank you so much for this very clear helpful tutorial. I now know about overones. My alto recorder is not so scary now (as I'm a beginner). It's like having a teacher with me in the room.
Thank you for these videos! They're very helpful 😀 My very first recorder arrived in the mail a couple of days ago, and it's been a lot of fun so far. I'm looking forward to learning more🎶
Thank you so very much. I just bought a recorder and am teaching myself “Simple Gifts.” This video has been so helpful with learning to the those low notes with quality and consistency.
Brilliant video, thank you! I’ve only had my Aulos alto just over a week and low F is already driving me mad! 🤪🤣 …. I’m certain it’s my novice fingers mostly, but probably also my natural tendency to blow as if it’s my trumpet I’m usually playing …. 😜🤪🤣. I’m loving your videos Sarah!! Thanks! 😃 Kind regards, Donald 🏴
My first day as a recorder player :D. I can now play C major I just have difficulty with the bottom C. I have everything covered up but it still sounds high. I am very happy with my mid range E-G are great. Your tips on blowing less for lower notes worked very well.
I got my first recorder yesterday and while I could get the upper notes to speak, as my method book suggested I start with, the low notes kept octaving up. Now I know almost certainly that I'm leaking higher up, which means to just follow the book and get there when I'm ready for it. Thank you!
@@DarleneMilner I'm using Schott's Altblockflötenschule. It's in German though, so if you don't speak it as at least a second or third language (third for me) you'll miss out on quite a bit of the subject matter.
Awesome video. I noticed this trend on my Tenor Recorder and breath pressure. Especially when it comes to breath pressure and overtones. Things change in that lower register. And how it's played.
Ok so what I've discovered is, it isn't only leaking fingers which cause squeaking but where my tongue is in relation to the roof of my mouth. I found if my palate is open and the back of my tongue is flat the note is clean; if the back of the tongue rises I produce overtones and squeaks.
That makes sense because even if there is a big void in your mouth, if the back of the tongue is raised it will still speed up. Tongue movement is helpful for jumping register as it changes air speed without requiring a change in air volume/exertion.
@@gardeniainbloom812 it especially helped me when learning, going from oboe to flute for marching band. Its especially necessary for getting up to the absolute highest notes on a concert flute, as those are harmonic overblowing Oboe is a pressure based instrument. The pressure from blowing against a very small opening forces the reeds apart, creating vibration. The shape of the instrument is conical, which is why oboe players can't simply pull out to tune, they tune with their face only. This is why orchestras are tuned to the oboes A. Oboe is the hardest to tune (though its shape gives it relative stability) My favorite example of an oboe is the beginning of The Inferno, from the divine comedy, arranged by Robert Smith.
Day 1 of recorder playing. Had to come here to figure out why my low notes were squeaky. Sarah's exercise of starting super quiet and going louder until the note threatens the next higher overtone (register?) was just what I needed. I was blowing way too hard.
I love your videos so much. I've been a clarinet player but I've been thinking for years that I would like to play the recorder. Then it hit me a couple of weeks ago: why the h*ll I'm not playing it then? My new alto recorder arrived today and here I am, trying to hit the low notes and correct my wrist rotation.
Hi, Sarah! I fave found that sometimes your information is spread over more than one video. I have unusual hands - normal palms and tiny fingers - and while I've played alto casually for decades, I find low F and sometimes low G hard to reach. This video taught me about Happy Birthday, which is a real challenge for me in B flat. It's shown me how much progress I have to make. But your video on Stretching for the Big Recorders has a exercise specifically for finger-stretching that has changed things for me. I've tried it 3 times while I was warming my instrument, and I can reach those low notes much better.
I'm primarily a saxophone player, and I've found that spending the last few months really ironing out low notes on tenor (sax) has really helped with soprano recorder… I guess having a solid airstream is universal!
Thank you because I thought my recorder is squeaking because it’s broken and I was about to replace my recorder, but I saw your video and it helped me very much. Thank goodness I found a video.
Great video - really useful. Thank you! Since I don't have a friend to hold the bottom C/C# key down on my tenor, I found it works to secure it closed with a rubber band to check for leaks :-)
It is the right hand I have the most trouble with. My thumb gets very tired and sore. Could you please focus on just the right hand on the Alto at some point? Hopefully showing your hand on camera? Love your videos so much! I am learning to play the recorder with your lessons and recommendations. You are so precise!
I cant believe there isnt a wikipedia page about you, all musicians who fundamentally contribute to society in the way that you have should have one. Not for you, but for everyone else, so Ill probably spend some time after my finals watching all your videos reading almost everything i can find and then make the page. Unless the page exists and if so can i get a link. i couldnt find one
Thank you so so much for painting your rum blue! I really hated that yellow wall and got a headache every single time I watch your videos recorded there!. I didn't know why but I do now!!
I bet your recorder sounds good. Blow correctly and cover the holes. Only if your recorder is broken you need a new one. Buy Angel recorder cast in special resin: the cheaper the recorder is, the better It sounds.
Blow really gently and slowly increase the amount of air you put into it until the note plays well. You need a surprisingly specific amount of air for the notes to ring out well
I am relearning the Soprano recorder at age 58 from long ago at age 12. I played the piano and clarinet in between with many, many lessons. My hands are smaller, now! How do I comfortably reach the last note on the Soprano and even the last note itself on the Alto? Would strengthing, pulling massages be a good thing? And, what type of playing exercises? Your videos are truly enjoyable Thank you very much.
VERY Helpful!! I just acquired a Maple Moeck F Alto, and my fingering is, well, ick at best!! I'm good with my soprano, but I got a long way to go with the bigger gun!!
I am having fun .. but my first recorder has only made me very keen to get a larger lower sounding wooden one .. but I think I will be a recorder player for the rest of my life now .. & yes the blue is better . cheers .. ps I have found a place in the forest where I can practice & it is almost like a great big green cathedral with an open roof .. it's where I play my harmonica too .. it is not quite an echo but like a natural reverb ..
Hey, I play both recorder and harmonica too! I play Seydel harmonicas and a Moeck maplewood alto recorder. I used to say that I played cheap woodwinds, but I'm putting some real money into them now!l
I have a question. I recently dusted off my old 5th grade recorder and have had a lot of fun exploring it! When I try to hit a low C, though, it almost always squeaks. I've worked on breath and fingering and cleaned it as well as I can given that it's one solid piece. (I know, I know, I can't afford better atm) I've narrowed it down to my tonguing. It doesnt seem to matter how soft and full I keep my air, tonguing changes the speed just enough to squeak every. Time. I tongue. I'm at a real loss how to solve this and dont know any recorder players besides you. Thank you for all your help and the wonderful videos!
Yamaha makes a cheap one, that still works great. This is Amazon Canada, as I don't know what country you're from. www.amazon.ca/Yamaha-YRS24B-Plastic-Soprano-Recorder/dp/B00EJF5Y26/ref=sr_1_4?crid=QTT8X3YUFDF8&keywords=yamaha+recorder+instrument&qid=1577485710&sprefix=yamaha+recor%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-4
Boy what a relief, I was thinking about angrily returning my recorder to the store because I thought there was something wrong with it... After this troubleshoot I realized the problem was me :D
Confirming that checking the interior is a great tip. I was struggling to hit low F. When I checked it out, my new Renaissance bass had a container of cork grease suspended inside the middle joint. (I guess it slid inside in the transit to my home?) 😂
So are low notes more difficult on larger recorders? As in are they more likely to break into their overtones the larger the record? it certainly seems that way to me between my soprano and alto, but I'm a total beginner and only have those two as reference.
I have a plastic bass with the pads that tend not to seal well, so I store the instrument with rubber bands holding each pad down. I take them off to play and everything works great.
Hi, congratulations for your videos. They're very interesting. I would like to buy a wooden sopranino recorder. I have a maximum budget of 250 euros, could you recommend me something? Or is it not worth the money for a medium-low-end instrument?
this video is perfect!!!! I'm practicing a piece for my exams (Siciliana from Bach) and having troubles with those low notes on my alto. I'll be trying these tips and tricks for sure! thanks sarah!!!
I love your videos - very engaging and full of good info. I've learnt a lot from you and I found a friend who is also learning the recorder is one of your followers too. I struggle with the low note (c descant, F alto). Sometimes it is lovely, clear and rich and other times not - even within the same piece. I will try your suggestions but it seems I cannot reliably place my little finger the same position each time! Annoying! Can you suggest anything, or is it a matter of keep practicing moving between that low note and others? Many thanks
Lots of great advice in this video! As a physics/mathematics minded person, I'm curious to find a more technical description of why lower notes overblow "sooner" than higher notes. Are there books you studied from that go into the details?
The physical answer is relying on wave theory. More precisely it's an air pressure wave (as every sounds). If you send a short pressure pulse from the top of the recorder it will propagate downwards the tube. When this pressure pulse meets a hole, part of the pressure will be reflected upwards. This is the same for a continuous wave, the upwards and downwards waves will add. In some locations the pressures will constructively combine, in other locations the both pressures will cancel each other. It is called a standing wave. Actually in a recorder the maximum pressure variation is at the top (the labium) and at the first top open hole (well, some finger combinations needs a more complex explanation). To create a note you have to fullfill the "resonance condition" : the distance between the labium and the hole must be equal to a multiple number of half a wavelength. The wavelength equals to the speed of sound (~330m per second) divided by the note frequency. For example the lowest alto note G4 is 392Hz, therefore the half wavelength is 42cm (This is why longer recorders can play lower notes). Now back to your question. In this 42cm the resonance condition is fulfilled for 1 half wavelength (G4 - 392Hz), 2 half wavelength (G5 - 784Hz), the sound wavelength is half the previous therefore the frequency doubles (=1octave) 3 half wavelength (1176Hz close to D6) etc. Each of these notes fullfill the resonnance condition, depending of your blow force you will trigger one (or several). I have no clear explanation but experience shows that you get low notes with low blow and soft attack, and the harmonics witch stronger blow and fast attack. For higher notes you cannot trigger the harmonics just because this would require way too much blowing.
Ok I have an alto recorder but I'm having some difficulties. It seems that the amount of breath I need to get a low note I am barely puffing air into the thing. I can play a scale but just barely. I have followed all the instructions here but still having problems. Is that just a matter of practice?
I am SO happy I found you!!!! I am VERY NEW to the whole recorder gig. I purchased an Alto Recorder (plastic). It's an Aulos 509B in the key of E I believe. I'm a guitarist, vocalist, can play piano and write music as well. I am looking at the recorder as a portable instrument and to accompany myself when recording. I primarily play contemporary Christian music and plan to spend a lot of time on your channel. Is my recorder choice OK for starters?
Very helpful! I don't know if it would work for "modern" wind instruments as well (albeit, because of Physics, I'd assume it would), but I've tried it and for sure it works both on the recorder and even on the cornett as well.
I guess the larger recorders are more difficult to finger, generally, due to their size.. And exploring the note is a good advise I think, its good to figure out how much breath and which finger position sounds better or worse. I'd say you do have to use less air for the low notes, especially the C, would you agree? I guess because there are less holes it can move through.
I have just bought a new wooden tenor (Mollenhauer) but my lower F# seems to be difficult to get exactly right. It always seems very slightly out of tune, and I can't seem to give it enough Ooomph(!) to get a powerful sound. Is this a normal thing to happen for all recorders, i.e. there is a week spot that we need to just put up with? This seems to be common in other instruments (like in the guitar the G-string is the weak-sounding string). I've tried everything you've suggested here, but this single F# is really tricky. One other thing I've noticed that I'm guilty of and that is making sure I move my fingers away from the holes when not in use. I keep my fingers just above the holes so that I know exactly where they when I need them again; of course if they are too close to the holes they obstruct the air, thus affecting the sound. Something I need to work on, but this is particularly noticeable with the lower notes.
Thanks so much for your videos; you're extraordinarily helpful and a gifted teacher. You explain things in a clear and linear fashion. And you hit the important points in complicated subjects. I'm learning so much and God knows I need to! Now I'm off to Recorder Hand Position. o
Hey Sarah I found out what brand my new eBay recorder is this recorder which is an ANGEL RECORDER SOPRANO BAROQUE MODEL 101 BAND INSTRUMENT STUDENT PIPE FLUTE a good recorder to play and have?? Do you know or does anybody else know at all
Hello, and thank you for your channel. I was wondering is there such a book that has all the scales, arpeggios, and different fingerings on the recorder, sort of like a "Recorder Grimoire"?
Thank you for your video, it is so informative. I am learning the alto, I have a plastic Zen-on Bressan Alto. I find that my right hand hurts a bit after playing because I am too tight and my low F is not a strong sound. Also, find that I have to blow out the spittle often (is there any tips to keeping the mouth drier when playing).
A recorder won't clog up with spit as fast if you warm it up before playing. Warm it against your body, I put mine under my arm. PS Sarah has more on this topic in her video on daily care for the recorder.
Thank you really useful post - can I ask a slightly related question which has arise whilst I am learning a Bach Partita on the treble recorder. With eh low notes that have the double holes i.e. f, f sharp, g , g sharp is there an easy way of playing the chromatic notes e.g G to G sharp quickly . In the Bouree Anglaise there are a lot of fast semiquaver passages with leaps and g, g sharp , g leappy bits. Is thee possibly an alternative fingering one could sue. help my poor brain cant fins a solution and at present the whole g G sharp thing sounds horrible, mushy and sometimes the notes don't speak. This is the fist time I have posted so apologies if I have posted in the wrong place or got the wrong idea. Love your videos they are amazing and fun too. Tim Feak
Dear Sarah, thanks a lot for the inspirational videos! I am not so sure if this is a place to ask it, but after watching your videos I have SUDDENLY decided that my life is not complete without an attempt to make baroque-ish arranging of rock-songs (so I have done some). The problem is that I am completely not a professional musician, and I have nobody around to estimate the quality / or make comments on it (all my friends and relatives and me myself if from the technology rather). May I kindly ask you to look at some sheet music, and then you say if you would like to change something, what sounds bad etc.?
Hello Sarah! Love your vids! I was wondering if you know of any good recorder cases for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass combined? Or soprinino, soprano, alto, and tenor? I was looked for a case to hold all of my instruments instead of using a separate case for each one.
fanzel 32 there are soft cases that hold more than one recorder. I bought a soprano and alto set. They came in a case that holds both. You might be able to find just the case like that.
My phone suggested this video for me after 'hearing' me practicing on my new recorder. Everyone is a critic 😂😂
Same here..... Hahahaha, I just got a new recorder yesterday and today YT recommended this
Well then time to buy a new phone and go "New phone, who dis???"
@@TayLeeYen sometimes it's scary, i remember i saw something in another device with different account and all then yt recommended something similar in my phone ._.
Same
Hahaha
I bought the Yamaha tenor, and thought there was something wrong with it, as I had a terrible time with the low d and c. This video totally fixed the recorder, amazing, isn't it?
Yep! Same here, I bought an alto and a tenor at the same time, getting on fine with the alto, and so thought there must be something wrong with the tenor, but thought I'd better wait a bit to make sure, and not make a fool of myself in the music shop.
What a relief to find out there's nothing wrong with the instrument. It's just me that sucks.
I had no idea how beautiful a recorder is. I brought this thing for $2 thought it would be cool to help me with my music theory, but this is an amazing instrument and my posture was terrible and i was rolling my right hand. Im a substitute teacher and i have a lot of days where i have nothing to do, so i thought i could carry this around. Its so much easier to carry than a guitar. Thanks again. Ive already learned so much
Thank you, you are now becoming best recorder education channel on youtube. Thank you so much. All simple and great explanations, you are a great teacher.
Thanks, Sarah, for the helpful tips. I'm in my third week of learning to play the tenor recorder and have been having difficulties with the lower notes. I'm now keen to improve my playing!
Ah!!!! Last night I mentioned it was cool that there'd be a new video in the morning for my birthday! And you even played happy birthday for me... great way to start the day.
I really appreciate your stories, your humor, and you're incredibly inspiring. I just started playing last week, and am having so much fun.
I bought a recorder yesterday. You make me wanna play it as good as you do
Thank you for this tutorial on how to play low notes, it really helped. This actually prevented me from flunking the music test that I had
Thank you Sarah!! I've always casually played the recorder and recently thought it might be nice to upgrade from the one I was given in elementary school. Going from German to Baroque and flat mouthpiece to curved mouthpiece has proven more difficult than I thought it would though! Especially on the low notes. Definitely going to try your tips!
Your lesson is so great, I am sure I have improved already without even having tried it yet. Many thanks indeed 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😊😊😊⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sarah, thank you so much for this very clear helpful tutorial. I now know about overones. My alto recorder is not so scary now (as I'm a beginner). It's like having a teacher with me in the room.
Thank you for these videos! They're very helpful 😀 My very first recorder arrived in the mail a couple of days ago, and it's been a lot of fun so far. I'm looking forward to learning more🎶
Wow, this made my low F and G on alto instantly better. Thank you!
This video is so incredibly helpful for someone who is struggling with the low notes. Thanks so much!
Thank you so very much. I just bought a recorder and am teaching myself “Simple Gifts.” This video has been so helpful with learning to the those low notes with quality and consistency.
Brilliant video, thank you! I’ve only had my Aulos alto just over a week and low F is already driving me mad! 🤪🤣 …. I’m certain it’s my novice fingers mostly, but probably also my natural tendency to blow as if it’s my trumpet I’m usually playing …. 😜🤪🤣. I’m loving your videos Sarah!! Thanks! 😃
Kind regards,
Donald 🏴
My first day as a recorder player :D. I can now play C major I just have difficulty with the bottom C. I have everything covered up but it still sounds high. I am very happy with my mid range E-G are great. Your tips on blowing less for lower notes worked very well.
Your finger pad tip has CHANGED THE GAME Thank you sooo much for the video!!
This was really useful for me. I feel like the squeaks are never gonna leave me.
Ooh I LOVE the blue!!!
Gosh a recorder festival?! Goodness!
I got my first recorder yesterday and while I could get the upper notes to speak, as my method book suggested I start with, the low notes kept octaving up. Now I know almost certainly that I'm leaking higher up, which means to just follow the book and get there when I'm ready for it. Thank you!
What book are you using? Newbie here.
@@DarleneMilner I'm using Schott's Altblockflötenschule. It's in German though, so if you don't speak it as at least a second or third language (third for me) you'll miss out on quite a bit of the subject matter.
Very helpful for a beginner on the treble. Thanks.
Awesome video.
I noticed this trend on my Tenor Recorder and breath pressure.
Especially when it comes to breath pressure and overtones.
Things change in that lower register. And how it's played.
Thank you for introducing me to recorder, I have an Adler alto recorder and I'm very happy with that recorder best regards from sardinia (italy)
Thank you Sarah for referring me to this video. Found lots of good info and things for me to check, try, and practice.
I can blow a nice tone on my alto on the lowest note as long as I don't articulate. Any slight articulation causes the note to overblow. Any hints?
I'm having the same issue. The long notes are good but if I need to play fast/short notes it's a disaster. Did you ever figure it out?
Ok so what I've discovered is, it isn't only leaking fingers which cause squeaking but where my tongue is in relation to the roof of my mouth. I found if my palate is open and the back of my tongue is flat the note is clean; if the back of the tongue rises I produce overtones and squeaks.
Gardenia in bloom,
This one comment helped so much.
thank you!
That makes sense because even if there is a big void in your mouth, if the back of the tongue is raised it will still speed up.
Tongue movement is helpful for jumping register as it changes air speed without requiring a change in air volume/exertion.
@@skytower1662 Thank you I learned something new. I forgot I made this comment. Wonder why I've not heard anyone else mention this before.
@@gardeniainbloom812 it especially helped me when learning, going from oboe to flute for marching band. Its especially necessary for getting up to the absolute highest notes on a concert flute, as those are harmonic overblowing
Oboe is a pressure based instrument. The pressure from blowing against a very small opening forces the reeds apart, creating vibration. The shape of the instrument is conical, which is why oboe players can't simply pull out to tune, they tune with their face only.
This is why orchestras are tuned to the oboes A. Oboe is the hardest to tune (though its shape gives it relative stability)
My favorite example of an oboe is the beginning of The Inferno, from the divine comedy, arranged by Robert Smith.
Day 1 of recorder playing. Had to come here to figure out why my low notes were squeaky. Sarah's exercise of starting super quiet and going louder until the note threatens the next higher overtone (register?) was just what I needed. I was blowing way too hard.
I love your videos so much. I've been a clarinet player but I've been thinking for years that I would like to play the recorder. Then it hit me a couple of weeks ago: why the h*ll I'm not playing it then? My new alto recorder arrived today and here I am, trying to hit the low notes and correct my wrist rotation.
Hi, Sarah! I fave found that sometimes your information is spread over more than one video.
I have unusual hands - normal palms and tiny fingers - and while I've played alto casually for decades, I find low F and sometimes low G hard to reach.
This video taught me about Happy Birthday, which is a real challenge for me in B flat. It's shown me how much progress I have to make.
But your video on Stretching for the Big Recorders has a exercise specifically for finger-stretching that has changed things for me. I've tried it 3 times while I was warming my instrument, and I can reach those low notes much better.
This recording was very instructive and super helpful. Thanks!
I'm primarily a saxophone player, and I've found that spending the last few months really ironing out low notes on tenor (sax) has really helped with soprano recorder… I guess having a solid airstream is universal!
Definitely!
Thank you because I thought my recorder is squeaking because it’s broken and I was about to replace my recorder, but I saw your video and it helped me very much. Thank goodness I found a video.
Great video - really useful. Thank you! Since I don't have a friend to hold the bottom C/C# key down on my tenor, I found it works to secure it closed with a rubber band to check for leaks :-)
Thank you, your videos are so enjoyable and you're a wonderful teacher, best recorder channel on youtube, you deserve more attention :)
It is the right hand I have the most trouble with. My thumb gets very tired and sore. Could you please focus on just the right hand on the Alto at some point? Hopefully showing your hand on camera? Love your videos so much! I am learning to play the recorder with your lessons and recommendations. You are so precise!
Thanks Sarah for the demo on hand position, it's exactly what I was hoping for.
Thank you very much for sharing this understandable explanation
I cant believe there isnt a wikipedia page about you, all musicians who fundamentally contribute to society in the way that you have should have one. Not for you, but for everyone else, so Ill probably spend some time after my finals watching all your videos reading almost everything i can find and then make the page. Unless the page exists and if so can i get a link. i couldnt find one
Thank you so so much for painting your rum blue! I really hated that yellow wall and got a headache every single time I watch your videos recorded there!. I didn't know why but I do now!!
What if you have a cheap plastic recorder and it doesn’t sound good?!
Same
Replace it with a good plastic recorder, Aulos or Yamaha are reliably good in my experience. See Sarah Jeffery's video on choosing a plastic recorder.
I bet your recorder sounds good. Blow correctly and cover the holes.
Only if your recorder is broken you need a new one. Buy Angel recorder cast in special resin: the cheaper the recorder is, the better It sounds.
Blow really gently and slowly increase the amount of air you put into it until the note plays well. You need a surprisingly specific amount of air for the notes to ring out well
not all of them are bad
Just subscribed because of all of your happy wonderful efforts in teaching! Thanks for your time and expertise!🙏🙏🙏
I am relearning the Soprano recorder at age 58 from long ago at age 12. I played the piano and clarinet in between with many, many lessons. My hands are smaller, now! How do I comfortably reach the last note on the Soprano and even the last note itself on the Alto? Would strengthing, pulling massages be a good thing? And, what type of playing exercises? Your videos are truly enjoyable Thank you very much.
Wow. That made a huge difference. Thanks.
Very much needed exactly this.
hey Sarah, u are just awesome! thanks u for all those recorder lessons.
very useful tips ! Thank you so much my lovely teacher.
VERY Helpful!! I just acquired a Maple Moeck F Alto, and my fingering is, well, ick at best!! I'm good with my soprano, but I got a long way to go with the bigger gun!!
I am having fun .. but my first recorder has only made me very keen to get a larger lower sounding wooden one .. but I think I will be a recorder player for the rest of my life now .. & yes the blue is better . cheers .. ps I have found a place in the forest where I can practice & it is almost like a great big green cathedral with an open roof .. it's where I play my harmonica too .. it is not quite an echo but like a natural reverb ..
Hey, I play both recorder and harmonica too! I play Seydel harmonicas and a Moeck maplewood alto recorder. I used to say that I played cheap woodwinds, but I'm putting some real money into them now!l
I have a question.
I recently dusted off my old 5th grade recorder and have had a lot of fun exploring it! When I try to hit a low C, though, it almost always squeaks. I've worked on breath and fingering and cleaned it as well as I can given that it's one solid piece. (I know, I know, I can't afford better atm) I've narrowed it down to my tonguing. It doesnt seem to matter how soft and full I keep my air, tonguing changes the speed just enough to squeak every. Time. I tongue.
I'm at a real loss how to solve this and dont know any recorder players besides you.
Thank you for all your help and the wonderful videos!
Yamaha makes a cheap one, that still works great. This is Amazon Canada, as I don't know what country you're from.
www.amazon.ca/Yamaha-YRS24B-Plastic-Soprano-Recorder/dp/B00EJF5Y26/ref=sr_1_4?crid=QTT8X3YUFDF8&keywords=yamaha+recorder+instrument&qid=1577485710&sprefix=yamaha+recor%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-4
Most helpful. Thank you.
Boy what a relief, I was thinking about angrily returning my recorder to the store because I thought there was something wrong with it... After this troubleshoot I realized the problem was me :D
That’s good news I guess! 😄 I’m glad you solved it, now enjoy the music!
Thanks for videos, I'm playing Didjereedoo and keys. For recorder I've too lazy fingers, but I'd try it.
Confirming that checking the interior is a great tip. I was struggling to hit low F. When I checked it out, my new Renaissance bass had a container of cork grease suspended inside the middle joint. (I guess it slid inside in the transit to my home?) 😂
Very good teacher in alto recorder....
So are low notes more difficult on larger recorders? As in are they more likely to break into their overtones the larger the record? it certainly seems that way to me between my soprano and alto, but I'm a total beginner and only have those two as reference.
Thanks, Sarah! Your videos are great!
Really helpful! I'll try all of the idea that you gave. Thanks a lot!
I have a plastic bass with the pads that tend not to seal well, so I store the instrument with rubber bands holding each pad down. I take them off to play and everything works great.
Good idea! In the world of saxes, you can buy key clamps to prevent or cure leaks, and are highly recommended by those who use them.
09:24 parseltongue leaped straight to my mind.
Smelly
Sarah, thank you for a video. But can I play more lower on recorder? I saw you can do it, and i want to know how to do this
I have never know that recorder is also an instrument not just recording something. I love those rich and full low notes
Hi, congratulations for your videos. They're very interesting. I would like to buy a wooden sopranino recorder. I have a maximum budget of 250 euros, could you recommend me something? Or is it not worth the money for a medium-low-end instrument?
This is so helpful. Thank you, Sarah.
this video is perfect!!!! I'm practicing a piece for my exams (Siciliana from Bach) and having troubles with those low notes on my alto. I'll be trying these tips and tricks for sure! thanks sarah!!!
+Ellen Janssens Ahh great, and good luck with your exam!
I love your videos - very engaging and full of good info. I've learnt a lot from you and I found a friend who is also learning the recorder is one of your followers too.
I struggle with the low note (c descant, F alto). Sometimes it is lovely, clear and rich and other times not - even within the same piece. I will try your suggestions but it seems I cannot reliably place my little finger the same position each time! Annoying! Can you suggest anything, or is it a matter of keep practicing moving between that low note and others? Many thanks
when she said bits of food on the inside I was like "Ew do people actually get food in their recorders??"
And then I looked in mine lol
Oh my god thank you so much, the fingering and air portion was really helpful and now I can use my tenor recorder much better
Lots of great advice in this video! As a physics/mathematics minded person, I'm curious to find a more technical description of why lower notes overblow "sooner" than higher notes. Are there books you studied from that go into the details?
The physical answer is relying on wave theory. More precisely it's an air pressure wave (as every sounds). If you send a short pressure pulse from the top of the recorder it will propagate downwards the tube. When this pressure pulse meets a hole, part of the pressure will be reflected upwards. This is the same for a continuous wave, the upwards and downwards waves will add. In some locations the pressures will constructively combine, in other locations the both pressures will cancel each other. It is called a standing wave. Actually in a recorder the maximum pressure variation is at the top (the labium) and at the first top open hole (well, some finger combinations needs a more complex explanation). To create a note you have to fullfill the "resonance condition" : the distance between the labium and the hole must be equal to a multiple number of half a wavelength. The wavelength equals to the speed of sound (~330m per second) divided by the note frequency. For example the lowest alto note G4 is 392Hz, therefore the half wavelength is 42cm (This is why longer recorders can play lower notes). Now back to your question. In this 42cm the resonance condition is fulfilled for
1 half wavelength (G4 - 392Hz),
2 half wavelength (G5 - 784Hz), the sound wavelength is half the previous therefore the frequency doubles (=1octave)
3 half wavelength (1176Hz close to D6)
etc.
Each of these notes fullfill the resonnance condition, depending of your blow force you will trigger one (or several). I have no clear explanation but experience shows that you get low notes with low blow and soft attack, and the harmonics witch stronger blow and fast attack. For higher notes you cannot trigger the harmonics just because this would require way too much blowing.
I like the blue a lot. It's a nice shade.
Can you post a video about methods of reliably playing a low E on an f recorder? that is half closing the Bell while fingering the lowest note?
Ok I have an alto recorder but I'm having some difficulties. It seems that the amount of breath I need to get a low note I am barely puffing air into the thing. I can play a scale but just barely. I have followed all the instructions here but still having problems. Is that just a matter of practice?
valeu. I was actually neglecting proper finger position by accident when going to the lower notes. Just, reaching that hole is really tricky.
I am SO happy I found you!!!! I am VERY NEW to the whole recorder gig. I purchased an Alto Recorder (plastic). It's an Aulos 509B in the key of E I believe. I'm a guitarist, vocalist, can play piano and write music as well. I am looking at the recorder as a portable instrument and to accompany myself when recording. I primarily play contemporary Christian music and plan to spend a lot of time on your channel. Is my recorder choice OK for starters?
I played Aulos 509s for years. They're a decent instrument. But they're in F! Not that it matters at first. Welcome to the club!
I bought a wooden alto on impulse from an antique shop. It's a pretty cheap brand I found out. However, what should I do to get it in playing order?
Very helpful! I don't know if it would work for "modern" wind instruments as well (albeit, because of Physics, I'd assume it would), but I've tried it and for sure it works both on the recorder and even on the cornett as well.
Thanks Sarah! Another great one!
I guess the larger recorders are more difficult to finger, generally, due to their size.. And exploring the note is a good advise I think, its good to figure out how much breath and which finger position sounds better or worse. I'd say you do have to use less air for the low notes, especially the C, would you agree? I guess because there are less holes it can move through.
Beautifully explained!
Thank you! I was about to explode out of frustration.
I have just bought a new wooden tenor (Mollenhauer) but my lower F# seems to be difficult to get exactly right. It always seems very slightly out of tune, and I can't seem to give it enough Ooomph(!) to get a powerful sound. Is this a normal thing to happen for all recorders, i.e. there is a week spot that we need to just put up with? This seems to be common in other instruments (like in the guitar the G-string is the weak-sounding string). I've tried everything you've suggested here, but this single F# is really tricky.
One other thing I've noticed that I'm guilty of and that is making sure I move my fingers away from the holes when not in use. I keep my fingers just above the holes so that I know exactly where they when I need them again; of course if they are too close to the holes they obstruct the air, thus affecting the sound. Something I need to work on, but this is particularly noticeable with the lower notes.
Thanks so much for your videos; you're extraordinarily helpful and a gifted teacher. You explain things in a clear and linear fashion. And you hit the important points in complicated subjects. I'm learning so much and God knows I need to! Now I'm off to Recorder Hand Position.
o
Thanks Jeffrey :)
I love how energetic you are!!! Nice, keep it going!😁😎
OMG THIS REALLY HELPED THANK YOU DO MUCH I LOVE THIS CHANNEL OMG THERE IS NO OTHER ONE LIKE IT ❤
Oct13/2022-Much thanks! My 'robin' should fly in by hollow wean? Oui shell-sea?
Hi Sarah! Where can I find the: Fantasia No.9 in B major, TWV 40:22 for recorder? Thanks.
Hi miss Sarah. How to play the lower ledger line in recorder. Tnx
Hey Sarah I found out what brand my new eBay recorder is this recorder which is an ANGEL RECORDER SOPRANO BAROQUE MODEL 101 BAND INSTRUMENT STUDENT PIPE FLUTE a good recorder to play and have?? Do you know or does anybody else know at all
a very valuable video, tysm
Hello, and thank you for your channel. I was wondering is there such a book that has all the scales, arpeggios, and different
fingerings on the recorder, sort of like a "Recorder Grimoire"?
Thank you for your video, it is so informative. I am learning the alto, I have a plastic Zen-on Bressan Alto. I find that my right hand hurts a bit after playing because I am too tight and my low F is not a strong sound. Also, find that I have to blow out the spittle often (is there any tips to keeping the mouth drier when playing).
A recorder won't clog up with spit as fast if you warm it up before playing. Warm it against your body, I put mine under my arm.
PS Sarah has more on this topic in her video on daily care for the recorder.
I love your videos esp the tutorials really helping thank you :-)
Thanks so much for making these videos!
Thank you really useful post - can I ask a slightly related question which has arise whilst I am learning a Bach Partita on the treble recorder. With eh low notes that have the double holes i.e. f, f sharp, g , g sharp is there an easy way of playing the chromatic notes e.g G to G sharp quickly . In the Bouree Anglaise there are a lot of fast semiquaver passages with leaps and g, g sharp , g leappy bits. Is thee possibly an alternative fingering one could sue. help my poor brain cant fins a solution and at present the whole g G sharp thing sounds horrible, mushy and sometimes the notes don't speak. This is the fist time I have posted so apologies if I have posted in the wrong place or got the wrong idea. Love your videos they are amazing and fun too. Tim Feak
Thanks Sarah.❤❤
Thank you for the amazing videos!
Dear Sarah,
thanks a lot for the inspirational videos!
I am not so sure if this is a place to ask it, but after watching your videos I have SUDDENLY decided that my life is not complete without an attempt to make baroque-ish arranging of rock-songs (so I have done some). The problem is that I am completely not a professional musician, and I have nobody around to estimate the quality / or make comments on it (all my friends and relatives and me myself if from the technology rather). May I kindly ask you to look at some sheet music, and then you say if you would like to change something, what sounds bad etc.?
Hello, your video is very helpfull. I realized where i make a mistake. Thank you :-)
Hello Sarah! Love your vids! I was wondering if you know of any good recorder cases for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass combined? Or soprinino, soprano, alto, and tenor? I was looked for a case to hold all of my instruments instead of using a separate case for each one.
fanzel 32 there are soft cases that hold more than one recorder. I bought a soprano and alto set. They came in a case that holds both. You might be able to find just the case like that.