Recorder keys for low C# and D#

[Jorge Wienken]

I was happy to find out that back in the 19th century it was tried to bring the recorder back. They added to the Csakan a very convenient feature that consists in keys for low C# and D#, since both tones are extremely weak due to physical-acoustics reasons.
It seems strange that no makers kept on doing that so we all are still doomed to weak C# and D#!
You can see Mollenhauer’s Csakan at csakan.de

[Kristen V]

Yes!! Very disappointing then that more makers don’t take advantage of that technique to improve the sound of low C and D!! 🙁

[Jorge Wienken]

Kristen, the weakness of C# and D# is due to undersized air column outlet. Low C and D are ok in renaissance and early baroque recorders.
However in late baroque recorders low tones are compromised in order to improve high register responsiveness. In that case there is no much room to improve low register, since bore end is too narrow.

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