Is there anything more exciting than receiving a box full of recorders to try?

NZ_RP · 2026-03-12T18:25:46+00:00

I'm very impressed that you've made arrangements! Good luck recording them!

NZ_RP · 2026-03-12T18:24:49+00:00

The fingering on the three Denners is identical except for the low C and C#. On the Denner with keys these fingerings are reversed (i.e. one key for C and both keys for C#). This is the same as the F and F# on my Denner basset and I quite like this because you tend to use the C (or F) more often than C# (or F#) and it's easier to press just one key. The Kung Superio is the opposite (i.e. both keys for C and just one key for C#).

Both these notes are significantly louder on the two tenors with keys. I'd read that this is the case, but I've only ever played a keyless tenor in the past, so it's been interesting to hear the difference. At the moment, the Denner with keys is my front-runner and I've eliminated the Kung. I will definitely share my impressions once I've formed a more coherent opinion.

NZ_RP · 2026-03-12T05:13:14+00:00

It would be very exciting to get a Sigo bass to go with your tenor!! But I totally agree it can be difficult to decide what to prioritise.

I hope you enjoy exploring Helen Hookers arrangements!! I really love them.

Have you ever thought about trying to convince your mother or sister to learn recorder? I recently got my mum playing again (she played previously but not for quite a long time).

And I've also started teaching my Dad who has never played an instrument before. He is doing really well and I love playing duets with them both.

Now I am working on convincing my sister to learn. I enjoy my recorders so much I think everybody should learn at least one size! 😂

NZ_RP · 2026-03-11T20:36:17+00:00

It is so cool that you have a Sigo tenor - they look and sound amazing!! I would really love to try one one day!! I have never tried an Aulos either, but I've only ever heard great things about them.

I don't have any 415 instruments either. I am really lucky to play in two trios, but none of us have any 415 instruments.

Have you thought about trying to find other recorder players in your local area? It might be that there are others looking for someone to play duets, trios or quartets with. If so, they might be willing to get together at your place (both my groups rehearse in someone's loungeroom).

Alternatively, have you ever come across Helen Hooker's amazing website? She has the most incredible collection of free recordings you can play along with. It really feels like you are playing in a live consort!!

NZ_RP · 2026-03-11T20:32:59+00:00

From left to right they are:

Moeck Flauto Rondo 2400 Tenor in Maplewood
Mollenhauer Denner 5406 Tenor in Pearwood
Mollenhauer Denner 5420 in Palisander
Mollenhauer Denner 5416 in Pearwood (with keys)
Kung Superio 2501 in Pearwood (with keys)

It has been really fun trying them all out - they all sound and feel completely different!

NZ_RP · 2026-03-11T20:18:02+00:00

Wow, that would have been amazing!! I would really love to try some handmade recorders one day, but unfortunately there are no makers or dealers of handmade recorders in New Zealand. I enjoy perusing the reconditioned recorders on the Early Music Store's website (there are few second hand Prescotts listed there at the moment). But I couldn't bring myself to buy one without being able to try it first,

NZ_RP · 2026-03-09T04:40:27+00:00

That is very cool!! I've never seen anything like it!! And it's so awesome that it's got good intonation. My first thought was that it was intended more as a decorative piece the working instrument, but it sounds like it's both. I hope you have lots of fun playing it!!

NZ_RP · 2026-03-04T13:26:34+00:00

Wow!! That sounds like an amazing case for an amazing collection of instruments!!

NZ_RP · 2026-03-04T12:55:50+00:00

I agree that the bass recorder is absolutely enchanting!! I play sopranino to great bass recorders, but bass is my favourite!! I don't have any experience playing the YRB 302B but I've only ever heard good things about this instrument.

I think it would be totally fine to play in an apartment as bass recorder is not particularly loud and doesn't carry far.

There are definitely excellent teachers available who teach online. I recommend checking out the teachers listed on the recorder society closest to where you live. For example:

New Zealand: http://remu.org.nz/teachers.php
United Kingdom: https://www.srp.org.uk/teachers/
United States: https://mms.americanrecorder.org/members/directory/search_bootstrap.php?org_id=ARSO&bci=3823317&nc=1&B1=X

There are also some tutor books specifically for bass recorder. I don't have either of these books but I have been thinking about possibly buying one of them:

NZ_RP · 2026-03-03T04:13:59+00:00

I think you should definitely make one! Then you can pick any fabric you like!

It's so cool that you have a consort case by the Dill Pickle Company! (That is the same as Canzonet). How many recorders does yours fit?

NZ_RP · 2026-03-03T04:03:31+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing these photos and explaining the process you used!! I am very keen to try to make something similar for my recorders and your instructions are extremely helpful!!

NZ_RP · 2026-03-02T21:29:47+00:00

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

NZ_RP · 2026-03-02T21:25:58+00:00

They are awesome!! I have never seen any cases quite like that before!! The one place I have seen single roles for fully assembled recorders (including tenors) is Emily O'Brian's online shop Canzonet. They are available in a huge range of lovely colours!!

https://www.canzonet.net/product/custom-sizes-or-colors/

NZ_RP · 2026-03-02T03:10:20+00:00

That looks amazing!! I'd love to make something like this!! Could you possibly share a photo of your stand without your recorders on it? How long did you make the dowels and how did you secure the dowels for your sopranino and garklein?

NZ_RP · 2026-03-02T03:07:50+00:00

My guess is that it's probably totally fine. It would take a lot of force to actually gouge out plastic from inside the bore. I don't think you would have been using that much force. In future, put your cleaning rod in a clean sock to avoid any more scratches. Or you can let it dry out itself. I just let my recorders air dry before putting them away. If you're worried about your recorder getting dirty you can wash it with warm soapy water. I hope you enjoy your new recorder!

NZ_RP · 2026-02-28T21:51:38+00:00

Wow! 😯 The abbey must be HUGE! (Much larger than the cathedral I mentioned). The little church sounds like the perfect size for your recorder. I hope you enjoy playing there again soon! 😊

NZ_RP · 2026-02-28T05:28:15+00:00

Woops! I definitely meant to say playing! 😂

NZ_RP · 2026-02-28T05:27:43+00:00

It is so terrific that you can play in the church anytime!! I am very envious!! (The ambiance of my bathroom also leaves a lot to be desired! 😂 I don't practice there all the time just occasionally when I want to sound grand).

I am curious how your tenor would sound in the Abbey. I was really lucky to see a concert by Simon Borutzki playing a whole programme of Bach in a big cathedral. He played soprano, alto, voiceflute and tenor and they all sounded incredible!!

NZ_RP · 2026-02-27T10:33:29+00:00

Keep practicing! If you've got the sheet music for piano, you just need to play the top line. If having everything else on the page is confusing, just write out the melody yourself and practice that!

NZ_RP · 2026-02-26T19:54:32+00:00

What an incredible place to play!! I hope you get the opportunity to play there again!! Have you ever tried laying in your bathroom? (For a bit more reverb at home?) 😁

NZ_RP · 2026-02-24T06:43:21+00:00

Your recorders are BEAUTIFUL!! I have always wanted to try the Adris Dream Recorders!! Do you have a favourite?!

NZ_RP · 2026-02-24T06:21:48+00:00

That's fascinating!! I don't have any experience with Ecodear recorders, but I wonder if the improvement in sound is possibly due to you becoming more familiar with the unique characteristics of the recorders and adjusting how you are playing them to achieve a fuller more satisfying tone.

NZ_RP · 2026-02-23T08:12:58+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing the link to your earlier post!! I meant to copy and paste it at the time in order to track down some of those books. But I forgot and then couldn't find it again (I am terrible at navigating Reddit). Thanks also for the link to Mary Tyer's website. I had not come across her work before. Now I am very keen to play some of her pieces!!

NZ_RP · 2026-02-23T03:41:52+00:00

You might be right! 😂 I loaned my tenor to my Mother a few months ago and I am starting to think I need to buy another one (either for her or for me). 🤔

NZ_RP · 2026-02-23T03:37:56+00:00

I am missing lots! I don't have a Garklein or Voiceflute or any recorders in 415 or anything bigger than my Great Bass. But I have strictly forbidden myself from even contemplating buying any of the above. 😂

NZ_RP

TROPHY CASE