My Sopranino is my favorite recorder. It has a sound that reminds me of an Irish whistle, but it has a much richer version of that sound and is much more responsive than an Irish whistle. I do not play much, if any classical music, but I "compose" my own classical-like music and I play music I hear in fantasy movie soundtracks. The Sopranino is best for this style of music.
Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder yes I have a endless list. 'I want a Contra-Alto clarinet, contrabassoon,bassoon,bass oboe, baritone saxophone, basicly all low woodwinds. Plus I'm getting two plastic recorders in the next week or so. I ordered two of them. A Alto Recorder and a sopranino. I have my old school soprano and wanted to expand my collection.
A modern short piece played on sopranino recorder is Portsmouth by Mike Oldfield. It came out in 1976 and the sopranino was played by Leslie Penning. I absolutely love this piece.
As an elderly person with very small hands, an alto is actually quite painful to play (and a tenor is IMPOSSIBLE). So I’m looking to buy a sopranino and play alto music on it. I’m also partial to very high “birdie” sounds, so I’m sure that I’ll love this excellent little recorder.
I use my lovely, tiny Mollenhauer Denner Sopranino for Whisle music (Try "the pride of pentravore"! So much fun!) and for the work of Loeillet (Sonata C-Major), the master of the woods! 😊
I enjoy playing duets on sopranino and hearing the loud difference tones. My favorite sopranino piece is Handel's "Hush ye pretty warbling quire" (also called "Ye verdant plains") from Acis and Galatea.
I play the modern concert flute just a student model but have the kirkline soprano alto and tenor from Aulos like to keep an open mind about early music and authentic performance. Your a great musician and champion of the instrument. However your right about the tuning and listening to others in an ensemble. I know that myself with playing in a flute choir.
I'm back, because I intend to play that Nightingale piece you mention here, next year. I can "play" it now (currently terrible, which is why I say next year) so much to learn, to enjoy! Fast air, coordinate fingers and tongue... okay. I'm on it.
I got a Aulos sopranino coz it has curved windway (symphony one). Very nice sound. Yes I do that thing where I blow pathetically instead of confidently coz I"m worried my neighbours are being troubled. Dunno how to get over that mental block. They can hear me anyway as you say...
I had a horrible experience during a public performance on the sopranino. I was playing with a small group, and had to swap to a sopranino halfway through the piece. I put it into my inside pocket to warm up, which had worked well before. This time, however, I came in fully a semitone sharp. When I had the opportunity I pulled the instrument out as far as I could, but it was still horribly sharp. In the end I had to bring it down by playing it in the style you said you should never do. It sounded awful. Still have nightmares about that. :)
I have a beautiful Küng Studio Sopranino that I might finally get to play in an ensemble now (depends on if we decide to keep that piece we tried out in our repertoire for the next concert...) I got it as a present a few years ago, no clue what the wood is, because my parents bought it second hand, but I guess it's pear or maple or something similar
In a Thomann command, I add a Thomann sopranino not to pay the shipping costs. That's a 7€ copy of the Yamaha's (I already owned the Yamaha's). I was really surprised, and I asked to some friends to test it : we all found that the copy was much better than the original. The pitch is perfect (as the yamaha's) but the sound is "rounder"
Thank you for this information! Since I already have the Thomann Sopranino, (and the Kirstein in wood look, which is otherwise identical) and was already tempted to purchase the Yamaha YRN-302 BII. This saves me from wasting money on the supposedly "better" (since more expensive) Yamaha! :-)
Sarah, this was so insightful! I love playing my sopranino. The famous Vivaldi pieces are my favorite, even though they might be too advanced. Anyway, like always you are awesome!
Next, garklein. Seriously... You didnt mention folk tunes. The sopranino is great for irish and scottish folk music. Also French music from Bretagne, usually played on flageolet will work great on soprano and sopranino recorders. In fact, you might want to do a video on folk music. Italian tarantella and saltarello, imitating japanese shakuhachu (or whatever that is called), etc. There is a whole world of music that allows you to play with others with different instruments.
I bought a sopranino for my grandson and like 10 minutes of playing his mother says "he lost it". But I planned ahead. I got 2. Can you play the theme to "Sponge Bob Square pants" on the sopranino?
I've lost mine when I was 18. I was always carrying it as a "fortunate item" in my inner pocket of my coat. My little brothers always had stolen it, and it was very difficult to find its parts hidden in our house. My brothers were very annoyed when I was practicing Vivaldi on that instrument... I plan to get a new one soon :) It was an Aulos 507, and I'm fortunate that it's still available.
I recently bought a Yamaha plastic sopranino and started cobbling around with it. Folk and medieval music work great, "chiavette" (high clefs) Renaissance repertoire too. You can always use it to play descant, tenor, or even violin or oboe repertoire (provided you transpose one third or fourth higher, as it once was customary for instruments in F), and nothing rules against playing treble recorder repertoire (it will just sound one octave higher). Still, I think its best use is for folk and medieval music, or for "coloristic" uses (as it probably was intended by Monteverdi in his "L'Orfeo"), but for sure it's an instrument with its niche of usefulness and I don't regret having bought one. Only drawback: because of the tight fingerwork and the extremely high breathing position (and tightness of breathing differences between registers) it requires a significantly more practice than the other instruments of the family to fully master it.
Hello snd thank you, i will recommend as piece from the repertoire the "Tarentella", last mvt of Gordon Jacob suite for treble recorder and strings, FANTASTIC mvt!
My top tip (but one that won't help you play any better) is ear plugs for lengthy practice sessions. Something like the Alpine MusicSafe Pro (the white filters probably sufficient). Same goes for lengthy sessions on soprano, esp in the upper register.
Thank you for this! I have recently 'come back' to recorder playing after a 16 year hiatus and I do not know how I have survived that !! I am overflowing with adoration and gratitude for the instrument. Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder. I just ordered my first Sopranino and am REALLY EXCITED!!! It's due to arrive on Thursday... 🤩 I chose the Aulos Symphony but was torn between that and the Yamaha you mention here- I went with Aulos because of their long standing excellent reputation for sounding 'woody' and I already have a treble and descant by Yamaha (in wonderful imitation rosewood, from a distance you totally cannot see they're plasic 😆) And tbh, they are absolutely fine! Albeit wood is high on my priority list, preferably nice Medieval or Renaissance replicas from 400 quid upwards... I ordered the sopranino purely for Vivaldi reasons, but here you have shown me that there is even more bird-ness out there! Brilliant informative stuff! Subbed, yay! ❤🎶
The soprano recorder has a lot in common with the E-flat clarinet, being a fourth higher than the (normal) Bb clarinet, being high, piercing and semi-annoying at times, popular in contemporary music, and frequently out of tune.
🎀💚Congratulatioms to the winner! Thank you for doing a video on the Sopraninio. I have one and struggle to find music to play using, this instrument. So thank you for all of the info. Great as always. 💚🌷🎀
shareena - am I the only one who plays all their music on whatever instrument they fancy - for example - I want to play Correlli's sonata in D major on my Alto so i just play my Alto as if it is a Soprano etc. etc.?
great video as always Sarah - I have the Yamaha and the Aulos plastic sopranino models but prefer the Aulos. The Yamaha is very small to play, and sounds more breathy/wheezy IMO (probably my playing - maybe it needs more breath pressure?) whereas the Aulos feels bigger in the hands and I think it is extremely well made for a cheap plastic recorder. Make sure you get the right model though - the 507B-E is the one I have and can recommend, comes in a nice little case too, and is only about £15 on Ebay.
I have to agree. I think the Aulos is far superior to the Yamaha. The Yamaha sounded too "breathy" to me, clogged very often compared to the Aulos, was only 2 pieces instead of 3 (no adjustable foot joint), and didn't have a curved windway. I sold mine and bought another Aulos 507 as backup. Possibly my favorite plastic Recorder.
Hi Sarah - Thanks once again for suggestions - You mention tuning in general, but not what, to me is critical in the case of the sopranino, and that is the tuning of the high notes C' and D' and E' (poor on my plastic Aulos, better on my plastic Yamaha). I wince when I hear recorder orchestras and the sopranino hits these shrill high notes usually a bit flat....perhaps because to play them in tune requires a lot of air., and the player is reluctant to shriek out these high notes. My conclusion is that .C' is the highest note that composers should allow on the sopranino in ensemble pieces!
I play hulusi, but ive been interested in playing recorders as well. I got a set of recorders that I had lost many years ago without even being able to play them. And recently ive got myself a new soprano as well as an alto. I used to have a sopranino and a fife, but nowadas its been so difficult to find one. Now ive started practicing, and ive been able to play some of the hulusi pieces on the recorders. And hopefully this time i can practice more with the corders. And i need to be careful not to lose them again. 😁
Yeah, exactly: «le Rossignol en Amour» [french] means the same as «el Ruisiñol en Amor» [spanish] and «l’Usignolo in Amore» [italian, my tongue], and translates very well as: the Nightingale in Love.
I just discovered the Largo in 443 is so damn beautiful with so much room for expression in it! I'm head over heels with it and now wanna buy a sopranino, sigh...
I just watched the 'bass' page again but I lost the comments! For my 78 Bithday at the end of next month I've been given a Yamaha bass! TODAY! It's just Lovely and easy on the breath. But it is not easy on my right thumb. I took the rest off the tenor but I need this one. Any ideas? And the lanyard keeps unhooking. I play mostly folk pop or church music! Thank you Sarah. I love your RUclips thingies and especially your love of recorders! Val Dooley
I just found out about sopranino recorder when I saw it in my local music store a couple of days ago! I want to play my heart out on it but I find it so confusing to get my head around with it being in key F hahaha, my main instrument is Flute but I also of course play Recorder, and Tenor recorder... If you'd be willing to make more videos on alto/sopranino recorder and fingerings that would be much appreciated! :D
You posted (according to RUclips) six months ago, how is your exploration of recorders in F going? You mention that your main instrument is flute (I have no experience with flute other than knowing it is another lovely wind instrument). If you are familiar with recorders in C, yes, you will be disconcerted at first with recorders in F - especially with the fingering for the fourth note up the scale: on the F instrument it is B so spend some time with those notes because the fingering reverses itself. Once you find those little differences and work them into your training - and remember which instrument you are playing - you'll be fine. You probably already are fine! Best of success.
I love you videos. Always full of interesting tips. Now talking specifically about the visual of the video, I've notice an increase in the brightness lately, not sure if that's intentional. Anyway, getting a little more contrast on it would help the visual. And thanks for these great tutorials!
+Felipe Roos Hahaa funny you mentioned that- I exported the video and thought 'oh shit I forgot to colour-correct it'! But my eagle-eyed viewers still notice 🙈
About the 415 sopranino: A while ago I bought a maple Moeck Rottenburg alto via the net. Unfortunately I turned out to be very allergic to it. So I tried my Aura alto head on this Moeck body and made it fit with a piece of dental floss. However, I couldn’t make it sound well when I tried some duets and trios in MuseScore. A nice job for a tuning app I thought, and lo and behold, it was in 415. It was in tune over 2 octaves. The only thing left, now I have to find some proper scores. So if you have several recorders of the same type, try to switch heads; you might be in for a surprise.
Nothing fancy, just 'plain' maplewood (or ahorn in german). And it was a severe reaction, my lips got numb, the smell made me wanna barf and breathing was getting influenced. So the first thing I did was a very thorough cleaning. Still numb lips. Then I taped it in with medical tape, but I still reacted very strong. It played great, so I didn't throw it in the fireplace. But I also have a flute, and with these it is normal to buy another head if you cant allow to spend 4000 euro at once for a better flute. I just thought it would tune to 440. I replaced it with Ariel pallisander alto. And my daughter has a nice recorder now. ;)
Zijde Zacht - Moeck impregnate their Maple and Pear wood recorders with paraffin wax - could your reaction have been to the paraffin rather than the Maple wood - just a thought? Also, I'm amazed that the difference in size/length of the head joints from one make to another is enough to constitute a semi tone in tuning - bit of luck for you eh? I might try mixing up some of my instruments now - just for fun - lol!
I just made some pictures of the tuning app and the Moeck, if interested I can show you. I'm afraid I spoke to early, high in the second octave the sound is not straight anymore. I'm sure a pro like Sarah who knows a gazzillion fingerings by head and how to apply them, would be able to handel this Aura/Moeck combo, but it is above my modest skill. I only tried the heads, not a clue what would happen with another foot. The tuning app I used is the one from Soundcorset. This is the first time I reacted so strong on any instrument; finding out if it is the recorder itself or the parafine they impregnated it with requires me to handle it which is a bad idea for me. But though playable, the recorder has a cracked windway, I can better move on. My youngest daughter has a nice alto and it will last through all five books of the "Altblokfluit" by James Arden. However, I did wonder about the Moeck bees who made the wax. ;)
Hi Sarah, thanks for another great video! I’ve been loving your alto related videos, since I picked up an second hand Aulos at a local car boot …. I do love the mellow alto, but after a couple of weeks of trying to stretch to play the F first space on the stave, I’ve been really struggling …. I’ll certainly persevere, I’m not one for giving up! But, I had a thought to try the smaller sopranino …. I fully expect to experience finger placement challenges unique to the sopranino but stretching my right pinky should be easier, right?? Anyway, I’ve ordered a ‘Triebert’ sopranino from EMS …. Have you played on one of those? I was always going to gravitate towards the sopranino anyway, it very much suits the trumpeter in me! 😜🎺🤣 Kind regards, Donald 🏴
Thanks so much for this Sarah. I am practising the very highest notes on the sopranino at present - I can play them perfectly well on my treble but struggle to get them to sound 'pure' and not squeaky on the sopranino..... Specifically in The Twelve Days of Christmas! Lots of practice time left till the Christmas performances but if you have any specific thoughts on that I'd be grateful as ever, thanks.
Hi Sarah, I enjoy your videos. You are credible, accomplished and enthusiastic. I love Gregorian chant music, and I've wondered if Gregorian music can be played on the recorder. I've just taken up the recorder and own a Yamaha Tenor YRT-304B II. I bought the instrument because I love its sound. I live in Vancouver, BC. Cheers, Jim
I play Irish tin whistle tunes and fiddle tunes on the sopranino, I have the Yamaha wood colored plastic ones and yet the cheaper white plastic is fun. (double holes only on the low G not the low F on the white plastic ones) Question---Why are wood sopraninos more costly than wooden sopranos and even some wood altos?
Certainly i would love a video about the Garklein, including the possible repertoire. (If possible not only folk as estated below) Sarah, i guess we are several kindly requesting a Garklein video. LUV.
I searched something on Exilent (sometimes called Sopraninino) Recorders on the channel. Didn't find. Will you make a video on them one day ? I had a plastic one and it was really fun with its really high tones. Plus, you didn't have to learn to play the Alto mode to play it as it was the same as my soprano.
I picked up a Yamaha YRn302-B and it has this kind of raspy, very primary schooly sound to it after the first few lower notes, which has left me wondering if it's because of my playing or if I happened to get some faulty model? I have two other recorders by Yamaha- the faux ebony soprano ( which has lovely clear notes ) and the faux rosewood alto ( which are has great sounding notes), so I was a little disheartened about my little sopranino that arrived today. I guess I just want to know if it's my playing on it or if I got sent a dodgy one ha ha?
I learned to play a little soprano, then I bought a sopranino because it was cheaper than an alto. What would be a tip for my first step? First book to use, first music to play?
Actually, could you do a video on reading music maybe? (And how the notes change depending on which recorder it is) Did that make any sense lol? Also a video on getting started with the alto! Thanks, love your videos!
Nessville - I think Sarah has done a video about transposing - but I suspect what you want is something more basic? Since recorders are not transposing instruments like, for example, the saxophone - the notes played are always the same - a note written as middle c is middle c (or an octave higher when playing soprano) etc. What changes is the fingering: the three top holes and thumb covered is a G on the soprano, but will be a C on treble. My advice is to learn each recorder (actually only two types - F and C) size separately, keeping the music you play for each type totally separate, and you will soon get the hang of it - good luck.
I have no idea what a Sopranino is, my kids school asked me to get one for his music class, considering it’s gonna be his first, what do you recommend?
What is your opinion of sopranino instruments like the Mollenhauer Kynseker and Moeck renaissance sopranino? Some people have told me they don't like them. But I was wondering if these instruments weren't intended for the high end of the instrument but as an extension of the soprano range. I like the low end of the sopranino, but the high end is too shrill, even on recordings. I am thinking about getting a Mollenhauer Kynseker sopranino instrument.
Hi Sarah! I just got my sopranino and it feels like water gets in the way and block the sounds. It makes so much condensation. Do you have any tips for me ?
hi!!! I love your videos and I wanna know if you have a list of books to learn alto recorder. I started whit moeck method but I wanna know another books o pieces to practice. Ty!
Sarah Jeffery, I don't know how you can possibly recommend the Yamaha Sopranino over the Aulos. I found the Yamaha was out of tune, clogged easily, had a terrible tone, and lacks the curved windway the Aulos has. I find the Aulos Sopranino superior in every way, except that the holes are slightly closer together (not a problem for me, I can play Garklein... barely).
It's so difficult to find people who take recorder seriously. I love your videos because you do. Thank you!
Can't even get them in the used section of music stores. They keep trying to sell me flutes instead.
My Sopranino is my favorite recorder. It has a sound that reminds me of an Irish whistle, but it has a much richer version of that sound and is much more responsive than an Irish whistle. I do not play much, if any classical music, but I "compose" my own classical-like music and I play music I hear in fantasy movie soundtracks. The Sopranino is best for this style of music.
This endless shopping list every musician has! 😄
I know!!
Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder Are there any Helder instruments on your list, Sarah?
Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder yes I have a endless list. 'I want a Contra-Alto clarinet, contrabassoon,bassoon,bass oboe, baritone saxophone, basicly all low woodwinds. Plus I'm getting two plastic recorders in the next week or so. I ordered two of them. A Alto Recorder and a sopranino. I have my old school soprano and wanted to expand my collection.
Tell me about it...
Renaissance soprano by John Cousen,,, renaissance SATB consort by Endre Pasztor 😊
A modern short piece played on sopranino recorder is Portsmouth by Mike Oldfield. It came out in 1976 and the sopranino was played by Leslie Penning. I absolutely love this piece.
As an elderly person with very small hands, an alto is actually quite painful to play (and a tenor is IMPOSSIBLE). So I’m looking to buy a sopranino and play alto music on it. I’m also partial to very high “birdie” sounds, so I’m sure that I’ll love this excellent little recorder.
just casually starts playing two sopraninos at once 💕
6:00 for Birdy sounds! 😊
I use my lovely, tiny Mollenhauer Denner Sopranino for Whisle music (Try "the pride of pentravore"! So much fun!) and for the work of Loeillet (Sonata C-Major), the master of the woods! 😊
I enjoy playing duets on sopranino and hearing the loud difference tones. My favorite sopranino piece is Handel's "Hush ye pretty warbling quire" (also called "Ye verdant plains") from Acis and Galatea.
There’s a song by Billy Joel. It’s entitled Rosalinda’s Eyes, and it features the sopranino recorder. Plus it’s jazzy.
I am a returner after about 60 years and sopranino is rapidly becoming my favourite of the family!
I play the modern concert flute just a student model but have the kirkline soprano alto and tenor from Aulos like to keep an open mind about early music and authentic performance. Your a great musician and champion of the instrument. However your right about the tuning and listening to others in an ensemble. I know that myself with playing in a flute choir.
Oh drat! I was hoping no one but myself would sign up for the recorder drawing! Oh well. Congratulations to the lucky winner!!
Gayle Maurer oh same😂
I just bought my first sopranino today - the Aulos - very happy with it, sweet trills : )
I'm back, because I intend to play that Nightingale piece you mention here, next year. I can "play" it now (currently terrible, which is why I say next year) so much to learn, to enjoy! Fast air, coordinate fingers and tongue... okay. I'm on it.
Ah, I bet you’re doing way better than you think! Sending fun musical vibes!
I got a Aulos sopranino coz it has curved windway (symphony one). Very nice sound. Yes I do that thing where I blow pathetically instead of confidently coz I"m worried my neighbours are being troubled. Dunno how to get over that mental block. They can hear me anyway as you say...
I've actually played an Alto and a Sopranino at the same time gives a very nice Octave tone.
From my limited knowledge, I would enjoy playing "birds fanciers delights" with sopranino.
Thank you for suggesting the Baroque Solo Book as something to practise with on the sopranino.
Many Playford tunes will work on sopranino. I like to play the Black Nag on sopranino
I had a horrible experience during a public performance on the sopranino. I was playing with a small group, and had to swap to a sopranino halfway through the piece. I put it into my inside pocket to warm up, which had worked well before. This time, however, I came in fully a semitone sharp. When I had the opportunity I pulled the instrument out as far as I could, but it was still horribly sharp. In the end I had to bring it down by playing it in the style you said you should never do. It sounded awful. Still have nightmares about that. :)
Oh my god that sounds awful 😳
Love the Sopranino! my favourite ...
I enjoy playing the upper line of Josquin Dezprez "Mille regretz" at the sopranino
I have an Adler maple wood sopranino and I like the light sound of that ✌
I really like playing Marin Marais' Le basque on the sopranino. I have played it as a kind of duet with a friend who plays the flute
İngilizce öğrendiğimde tüm videolarını izleyeceğim güzel insan.
How's it going?
I have a beautiful Küng Studio Sopranino that I might finally get to play in an ensemble now (depends on if we decide to keep that piece we tried out in our repertoire for the next concert...)
I got it as a present a few years ago, no clue what the wood is, because my parents bought it second hand, but I guess it's pear or maple or something similar
In a Thomann command, I add a Thomann sopranino not to pay the shipping costs. That's a 7€ copy of the Yamaha's (I already owned the Yamaha's). I was really surprised, and I asked to some friends to test it : we all found that the copy was much better than the original. The pitch is perfect (as the yamaha's) but the sound is "rounder"
Thank you for this information! Since I already have the Thomann Sopranino, (and the Kirstein in wood look, which is otherwise identical) and was already tempted to purchase the Yamaha YRN-302 BII. This saves me from wasting money on the supposedly "better" (since more expensive) Yamaha! :-)
8:46 that is definitely me and my fear to disturb the neighbour xdddd
Sarah, this was so insightful! I love playing my sopranino. The famous Vivaldi pieces are my favorite, even though they might be too advanced. Anyway, like always you are awesome!
Next, garklein. Seriously...
You didnt mention folk tunes. The sopranino is great for irish and scottish folk music. Also French music from Bretagne, usually played on flageolet will work great on soprano and sopranino recorders. In fact, you might want to do a video on folk music. Italian tarantella and saltarello, imitating japanese shakuhachu (or whatever that is called), etc. There is a whole world of music that allows you to play with others with different instruments.
Willem Kossen This is a fantastic idea 😻. If I could give you 1000 likes I would. I hope Sarah sees your comment.
Willem Kossen - I am a huge folk fan so thanks for your suggestions. Can you give the names of some French tunes/books with tunes in ?
Willem Kossen I love the Irish music
Willem Kossen NERD 🤓
Thanks for the suggestions! I love Irish folk tunes. I can hardly wait to get mine. :)
I bought a sopranino for my grandson and like 10 minutes of playing his mother says "he lost it".
But I planned ahead. I got 2.
Can you play the theme to "Sponge Bob Square pants" on the sopranino?
😂😂😂 Yes I’m sure you can!
His ma probably got annoyed and threw it away lmao
I've lost mine when I was 18. I was always carrying it as a "fortunate item" in my inner pocket of my coat. My little brothers always had stolen it, and it was very difficult to find its parts hidden in our house. My brothers were very annoyed when I was practicing Vivaldi on that instrument... I plan to get a new one soon :) It was an Aulos 507, and I'm fortunate that it's still available.
The Sopranino and Garklein are my favorite size Recorders. To me they approximate a "bone fl ute" as used by primitive Humans. Amazing.
Bone flutes are magical!
I recently bought a Yamaha plastic sopranino and started cobbling around with it. Folk and medieval music work great, "chiavette" (high clefs) Renaissance repertoire too. You can always use it to play descant, tenor, or even violin or oboe repertoire (provided you transpose one third or fourth higher, as it once was customary for instruments in F), and nothing rules against playing treble recorder repertoire (it will just sound one octave higher). Still, I think its best use is for folk and medieval music, or for "coloristic" uses (as it probably was intended by Monteverdi in his "L'Orfeo"), but for sure it's an instrument with its niche of usefulness and I don't regret having bought one.
Only drawback: because of the tight fingerwork and the extremely high breathing position (and tightness of breathing differences between registers) it requires a significantly more practice than the other instruments of the family to fully master it.
Hi Sara I love you and your videos! great spirit and energy, and bringing so much joy to the field
Hello snd thank you, i will recommend as piece from the repertoire the "Tarentella", last mvt of Gordon Jacob suite for treble recorder and strings, FANTASTIC mvt!
+Farid Rahmeh ah yes that's a beautiful one!
I love these kind of videos, makes me want to go out and get a sopranino!
My top tip (but one that won't help you play any better) is ear plugs for lengthy practice sessions. Something like the Alpine MusicSafe Pro (the white filters probably sufficient). Same goes for lengthy sessions on soprano, esp in the upper register.
💐🍀congratulation Roosmarii 💐🍀- thank you Sarah for the wonderful video 👍
Thank you for this! I have recently 'come back' to recorder playing after a 16 year hiatus and I do not know how I have survived that !! I am overflowing with adoration and gratitude for the instrument. Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder. I just ordered my first Sopranino and am REALLY EXCITED!!! It's due to arrive on Thursday... 🤩 I chose the Aulos Symphony but was torn between that and the Yamaha you mention here- I went with Aulos because of their long standing excellent reputation for sounding 'woody' and I already have a treble and descant by Yamaha (in wonderful imitation rosewood, from a distance you totally cannot see they're plasic 😆) And tbh, they are absolutely fine! Albeit wood is high on my priority list, preferably nice Medieval or Renaissance replicas from 400 quid upwards... I ordered the sopranino purely for Vivaldi reasons, but here you have shown me that there is even more bird-ness out there! Brilliant informative stuff! Subbed, yay! ❤🎶
Yay! 😄💕
The soprano recorder has a lot in common with the E-flat clarinet, being a fourth higher than the (normal) Bb clarinet, being high, piercing and semi-annoying at times, popular in contemporary music, and frequently out of tune.
Many Thanks!!!
Just got me a Yamaha, so will be checking out your vids :-)
There are two wonderful arias in Handel's "Acis and Galetaia"
🎀💚Congratulatioms to the winner! Thank you for doing a video on the Sopraninio. I have one and struggle to find music to play using, this instrument. So thank you for all of the info. Great as always. 💚🌷🎀
shareena clarke if you play solo, you can play everything for soprano, it will just sound a quart higher.
+shareena clarke Thanks Shareena! x
Willem Kossen Thank you for replying. I do sometimes but at times I want to look for something which I know was originally meant for the Sopraninio.
Sarah Jeffery / Team Recorder Thank you for replying 😊.
shareena - am I the only one who plays all their music on whatever instrument they fancy - for example - I want to play Correlli's sonata in D major on my Alto so i just play my Alto as if it is a Soprano etc. etc.?
great video as always Sarah - I have the Yamaha and the Aulos plastic sopranino models but prefer the Aulos. The Yamaha is very small to play, and sounds more breathy/wheezy IMO (probably my playing - maybe it needs more breath pressure?) whereas the Aulos feels bigger in the hands and I think it is extremely well made for a cheap plastic recorder. Make sure you get the right model though - the 507B-E is the one I have and can recommend, comes in a nice little case too, and is only about £15 on Ebay.
I have to agree. I think the Aulos is far superior to the Yamaha. The Yamaha sounded too "breathy" to me, clogged very often compared to the Aulos, was only 2 pieces instead of 3 (no adjustable foot joint), and didn't have a curved windway. I sold mine and bought another Aulos 507 as backup. Possibly my favorite plastic Recorder.
I have just ordered that exact Aulos 🎉
Congratulations Rosmarii!
Congratulations Roosmarii! 💚💚💚
I really like the flute its like my No. 2 fav instrument just got a Vivaldi LP and can't wait to hear it thx for this awesome video!
Hi Sarah - Thanks once again for suggestions - You mention tuning in general, but not what, to me is critical in the case of the sopranino, and that is the tuning of the high notes C' and D' and E' (poor on my plastic Aulos, better on my plastic Yamaha). I wince when I hear recorder orchestras and the sopranino hits these shrill high notes usually a bit flat....perhaps because to play them in tune requires a lot of air., and the player is reluctant to shriek out these high notes. My conclusion is that .C' is the highest note that composers should allow on the sopranino in ensemble pieces!
I play hulusi, but ive been interested in playing recorders as well. I got a set of recorders that I had lost many years ago without even being able to play them. And recently ive got myself a new soprano as well as an alto. I used to have a sopranino and a fife, but nowadas its been so difficult to find one.
Now ive started practicing, and ive been able to play some of the hulusi pieces on the recorders. And hopefully this time i can practice more with the corders. And i need to be careful not to lose them again. 😁
Yeah, exactly: «le Rossignol en Amour» [french] means the same as «el Ruisiñol en Amor» [spanish] and «l’Usignolo in Amore» [italian, my tongue], and translates very well as: the Nightingale in Love.
i have a Moeck Rondo Sopranino recorder and its nice!
I just discovered the Largo in 443 is so damn beautiful with so much room for expression in it! I'm head over heels with it and now wanna buy a sopranino, sigh...
I just watched the 'bass' page again but I lost the comments! For my 78 Bithday at the end of next month I've been given a Yamaha bass! TODAY! It's just Lovely and easy on the breath. But it is not easy on my right thumb. I took the rest off the tenor but I need this one. Any ideas? And the lanyard keeps unhooking. I play mostly folk pop or church music! Thank you Sarah. I love your RUclips thingies and especially your love of recorders! Val Dooley
That good video. Excellent. Please make more videos of sopranino recorder, sopranino study tips.
I just found out about sopranino recorder when I saw it in my local music store a couple of days ago! I want to play my heart out on it but I find it so confusing to get my head around with it being in key F hahaha, my main instrument is Flute but I also of course play Recorder, and Tenor recorder... If you'd be willing to make more videos on alto/sopranino recorder and fingerings that would be much appreciated! :D
You posted (according to RUclips) six months ago, how is your exploration of recorders in F going? You mention that your main instrument is flute (I have no experience with flute other than knowing it is another lovely wind instrument). If you are familiar with recorders in C, yes, you will be disconcerted at first with recorders in F - especially with the fingering for the fourth note up the scale: on the F instrument it is B so spend some time with those notes because the fingering reverses itself. Once you find those little differences and work them into your training - and remember which instrument you are playing - you'll be fine. You probably already are fine! Best of success.
I love you videos. Always full of interesting tips. Now talking specifically about the visual of the video, I've notice an increase in the brightness lately, not sure if that's intentional. Anyway, getting a little more contrast on it would help the visual. And thanks for these great tutorials!
+Felipe Roos Hahaa funny you mentioned that- I exported the video and thought 'oh shit I forgot to colour-correct it'! But my eagle-eyed viewers still notice 🙈
It's fine! I just makes you look more angelical than you already are ;)
Grab a sopranino buddy and do the Telemann Canonic Sonatas!! They sound great on any combination of instruments!
Very helpful, thank you!
I would recommend this Antonio Vivaldi's piece: Concerto for Sopranino Recorder in C major RV 443. It's a funny challenge!
I did it as a teen. Sorry for the bad VHS quality. It was a torture but for my two little brothers... ruclips.net/video/96KVOWbmbwE/видео.html
Have you ever played The Basque?
I think it would be perfect for sopranino! Thank you very much for your clear explanation!
About the 415 sopranino: A while ago I bought a maple Moeck Rottenburg alto via the net. Unfortunately I turned out to be very allergic to it. So I tried my Aura alto head on this Moeck body and made it fit with a piece of dental floss. However, I couldn’t make it sound well when I tried some duets and trios in MuseScore. A nice job for a tuning app I thought, and lo and behold, it was in 415. It was in tune over 2 octaves. The only thing left, now I have to find some proper scores.
So if you have several recorders of the same type, try to switch heads; you might be in for a surprise.
Zijde Zacht was that cocobolo wood? Its known to be problematic sometimes.
+Zijde Zacht wow! I have to try that!
Nothing fancy, just 'plain' maplewood (or ahorn in german). And it was a severe reaction, my lips got numb, the smell made me wanna barf and breathing was getting influenced. So the first thing I did was a very thorough cleaning. Still numb lips. Then I taped it in with medical tape, but I still reacted very strong. It played great, so I didn't throw it in the fireplace.
But I also have a flute, and with these it is normal to buy another head if you cant allow to spend 4000 euro at once for a better flute. I just thought it would tune to 440. I replaced it with Ariel pallisander alto. And my daughter has a nice recorder now. ;)
Zijde Zacht - Moeck impregnate their Maple and Pear wood recorders with paraffin wax - could your reaction have been to the paraffin rather than the Maple wood - just a thought? Also, I'm amazed that the difference in size/length of the head joints from one make to another is enough to constitute a semi tone in tuning - bit of luck for you eh? I might try mixing up some of my instruments now - just for fun - lol!
I just made some pictures of the tuning app and the Moeck, if interested I can show you. I'm afraid I spoke to early, high in the second octave the sound is not straight anymore. I'm sure a pro like Sarah who knows a gazzillion fingerings by head and how to apply them, would be able to handel this Aura/Moeck combo, but it is above my modest skill.
I only tried the heads, not a clue what would happen with another foot. The tuning app I used is the one from Soundcorset.
This is the first time I reacted so strong on any instrument; finding out if it is the recorder itself or the parafine they impregnated it with requires me to handle it which is a bad idea for me. But though playable, the recorder has a cracked windway, I can better move on. My youngest daughter has a nice alto and it will last through all five books of the "Altblokfluit" by James Arden. However, I did wonder about the Moeck bees who made the wax. ;)
I collect those screechy dog whistles 😁
Hi Sarah, thanks for another great video! I’ve been loving your alto related videos, since I picked up an second hand Aulos at a local car boot …. I do love the mellow alto, but after a couple of weeks of trying to stretch to play the F first space on the stave, I’ve been really struggling …. I’ll certainly persevere, I’m not one for giving up! But, I had a thought to try the smaller sopranino …. I fully expect to experience finger placement challenges unique to the sopranino but stretching my right pinky should be easier, right?? Anyway, I’ve ordered a ‘Triebert’ sopranino from EMS …. Have you played on one of those? I was always going to gravitate towards the sopranino anyway, it very much suits the trumpeter in me! 😜🎺🤣
Kind regards,
Donald 🏴
Me gustó mucho tu video. Gracias por subir video de la Sopranino recorder.
Great stuff again Sarah !Thank you!
Thanks so much for this Sarah. I am practising the very highest notes on the sopranino at present - I can play them perfectly well on my treble but struggle to get them to sound 'pure' and not squeaky on the sopranino..... Specifically in The Twelve Days of Christmas! Lots of practice time left till the Christmas performances but if you have any specific thoughts on that I'd be grateful as ever, thanks.
Hi Sarah, I enjoy your videos. You are credible, accomplished and enthusiastic. I love Gregorian chant music, and I've wondered if Gregorian music can be played on the recorder. I've just taken up the recorder and own a Yamaha Tenor YRT-304B II. I bought the instrument because I love its sound. I live in Vancouver, BC. Cheers, Jim
I play Irish tin whistle tunes and fiddle tunes on the sopranino, I have the Yamaha wood colored plastic ones and yet the cheaper white plastic is fun. (double holes only on the low G not the low F on the white plastic ones) Question---Why are wood sopraninos more costly than wooden sopranos and even some wood altos?
love you, so clear explanations
I like your videos, I'm geting a recorder to
Certainly i would love a video about the Garklein, including the possible repertoire. (If possible not only folk as estated below) Sarah, i guess we are several kindly requesting a Garklein video. LUV.
Duly noted! ;)
Sorry, didn't meant to sound pushy :P I would love if you make a garklein's video pleeeeaaaaseee? :)
Hi Sarah, I just found your channel and it means so much to me I just had to introduce myself.
I'm Glenn
smart
Hello. Do you recommend hohnner classic line f Sopranino? It is a german brand made in China
5:13 I snorted. Even before the sound effect. Sarah Jeffery: Certified Funny.
I searched something on Exilent (sometimes called Sopraninino) Recorders on the channel. Didn't find. Will you make a video on them one day ? I had a plastic one and it was really fun with its really high tones. Plus, you didn't have to learn to play the Alto mode to play it as it was the same as my soprano.
that’s the garklein recorder! I do have a video on that.
Hey dear Sarah! Wondering where can I buy that awesome book: “The Baroque Solo Book”. Love your videos! Cheers from Mexico City!
I know it’s available from the Early Music Shop in the Uk!
8:20 tartini tone, creating a low C
I am suprised over how this one isn't as screamy as I imagined it to be
Sarah, I just got a Yamaha Sopranino YRN 302II today. Is that what your Yamaha Sopranino is?
Hi! Can you recommend repertoire books for soprano flute?
I JUST GOT MY SOPRANINO RECORDER TODAY :DDDDDD
Now try the garklein :D
HKH From PH well update I got the tenor recorder a few weeks ago lol, I’m loving it atm.
thanks for all your helpful ideas !🎵:)
do you have any info on recorder mutes?
I picked up a Yamaha YRn302-B and it has this kind of raspy, very primary schooly sound to it after the first few lower notes, which has left me wondering if it's because of my playing or if I happened to get some faulty model? I have two other recorders by Yamaha- the faux ebony soprano ( which has lovely clear notes ) and the faux rosewood alto ( which are has great sounding notes), so I was a little disheartened about my little sopranino that arrived today. I guess I just want to know if it's my playing on it or if I got sent a dodgy one ha ha?
I learned to play a little soprano, then I bought a sopranino because it was cheaper than an alto. What would be a tip for my first step? First book to use, first music to play?
ohh my she is so good
Which recorder would you recommend for playing hymns???
I agree but cello mistuning is very noticable
Actually, could you do a video on reading music maybe? (And how the notes change depending on which recorder it is)
Did that make any sense lol?
Also a video on getting started with the alto! Thanks, love your videos!
Nessville - I think Sarah has done a video about transposing - but I suspect what you want is something more basic? Since recorders are not transposing instruments like, for example, the saxophone - the notes played are always the same - a note written as middle c is middle c (or an octave higher when playing soprano) etc. What changes is the fingering: the three top holes and thumb covered is a G on the soprano, but will be a C on treble. My advice is to learn each recorder (actually only two types - F and C) size separately, keeping the music you play for each type totally separate, and you will soon get the hang of it - good luck.
That is a such a good explanation of the topic, thanks! :D
I found your channel because of the (so-called) bass god Davie504 :v
But honestly I like your content and playstyle. Subscribed. Greetings.
I'm currently looking for an Alto, because the soprano is just too much for me. Hahah XD (The sopranino is in the piccolo range?)
lekiscool the soprano recorder is too
+lekiscool That sounds like a good plan- the lowest note of the piccolo is the same as soprano, so the sopranino starts even 4 notes higher :)
very good
Hi Sarah, Which sopranino do you prefer between Kung Superio and Mollenhauer Denner (both in granadilla)?
Hello Sarah! I would like to know if its possible to buy a soprarino recorder in 415Hz...
I have no idea what a Sopranino is, my kids school asked me to get one for his music class, considering it’s gonna be his first, what do you recommend?
What is your opinion of sopranino instruments like the Mollenhauer Kynseker and Moeck renaissance sopranino? Some people have told me they don't like them. But I was wondering if these instruments weren't intended for the high end of the instrument but as an extension of the soprano range. I like the low end of the sopranino, but the high end is too shrill, even on recordings. I am thinking about getting a Mollenhauer Kynseker sopranino instrument.
Use the sopranino as the piccolo voice
Hi Sarah! I just got my sopranino and it feels like water gets in the way and block the sounds. It makes so much condensation. Do you have any tips for me ?
The sopranino recorder should be good for Latin & charanga music.
hi!!! I love your videos and I wanna know if you have a list of books to learn alto recorder. I started whit moeck method but I wanna know another books o pieces to practice. Ty!
I do! There’s a whole video on ‘which alto book to buy’ 🙂
@@Team_Recorder I can't find that video. Only appears the soprano/tenor video. Can you comment the link of the video? Ty!!
Sarah Jeffery, I don't know how you can possibly recommend the Yamaha Sopranino over the Aulos. I found the Yamaha was out of tune, clogged easily, had a terrible tone, and lacks the curved windway the Aulos has. I find the Aulos Sopranino superior in every way, except that the holes are slightly closer together (not a problem for me, I can play Garklein... barely).
🤷🏼♀️ mine is good?
I have to agree Wind Singer, I much prefer the Aulos