Wooden woes

[Chris Cartwright]

Hello experts,

I recently acquired my first wooden recorder (Moeck alto). I’m finding it much harder to get the second octave to speak than on my trusty plastic Aulos.
I was wondering if this is because:
a) It’s new and this will improve once it’s played in
b) Wood recorders are more challenging in this regard
c) It’s faulty

Any help gratefully received.
Thanks. Chris.

[DC]

My advice is that you should give it time (assuming that when you say ‘recently’ you mean within the last couple of weeks). Wooden recorders need to be played in—they need to adjust to being played in ways that plastic recorders do not. Every wooden recorder I’ve owned has sounded better and responded better after several weeks of gentle playing.

[Chris Cartwright]

Thanks DC. I’ll see how it goes.

[Karen Hytten]

Hi Chris,

I haven’t been on this forum for a few weeks and I only just saw your post.

My first thought was definitely (a) it’s new and will improve once it’s played in.

Have you found the high notes becoming any easier to play?

Karen.

[Chris Cartwright]

Hi all,

Seems like it’s (a) and (b), which is a relief. Thanks for your input.

Best Regards, Chris.

[Karen Hytten]

Hi Chris,

I’m so glad!! Most of my recorders are Moeck and I couldn’t imagine them selling a faulty recorder.

I find the ‘playing in’ process quite challenging as I am eager to play for longer than the prescribed 5 minutes per day for a week, 10 minutes a day for a week etc. However, I do appreciate Moeck providing such detailed instructions. I recently bought a Mollenhauer basset and their instructions were so vague I decided to follow the Moeck instructions just for peace of mind. I am up to week 5 and the high notes are just starting to sound really good.
 
I hope you are enjoying your new recorder! What type of music do you most enjoy playing?

Karen.

[Chris Cartwright]

Hi Karen,

I fear I don’t have the willpower that you do! I didn’t follow the instructions so I hope I didn’t wreck my instrument. I guess time will tell. It seems much happier on the upper notes now though.

I’m playing a Telemann sonata at present, plus some ABRSM pieces to see what grade I am.

Best Regards, Chris.

[Karen Hytten]

I am sure your recorder will be absolutely fine!! It is wonderful to hear that the upper notes are sounding better now.

I am currently working on a Telemann sonata too!! Telemann is one of my all-time favorite composers. I am learning one of his trio sonatas for recorder, violin and harpsichord (or in our case, recorder, violin and electric piano on the harpsichord setting 🙂

Are you thinking about possibly doing an ABRSM exam or just enjoying the repertoire? Their lists are a terrific resource for finding new music at all levels.

[Chris Cartwright]

Sounds lovely Karen. Do you play all the parts, or do you have friends 😊

I used the ABRSM syllabus as I wanted to assess my standard. I’m working on a couple of the Gr5 pieces, but at my age (63), I think my time for taking music exams is past.
There is a short passage in Db maj, which is certainly giving my fingers a workout!

Best Regards, Chris.

[Karen Hytten]

Wow – Db major! I am very impressed! that would give my brain a workout as well my fingers. I don’t think I’ve ever played that key signature on recorder.

I am just learning the recorder part of the Telemann sonata I mentioned (TWV 42:a4). I have two good friends who play the violin and keyboard parts. Another piece that we have just started working on is CPE Bach’s trio for bass recorder, viola and harpsichord, which I really love playing.

The other thing I’ve been really enjoying lately is trying some of the pieces on Helen Hooker’s website. Have you come across it? It is an incredible collection of recorder consort music. You can download both the sheet music and recordings to play along to for free from:

https://www.helenhooker.co.uk/downloads

[Chris Cartwright]

Sounds lovely Karen.

Yes, I do use Helen’s website. What an amazing resource. I’ve also signed up for one of her teaching days later this year (the only one that wasn’t full!)
I was playing her Corelli Christmas Concerto earlier this week, which I’ve always loved.

Best Regards, Chris.

[Karen Hytten]

Wow! It is so cool that you will be able to participate in one of Helen Hooker’s teaching days! I am very envious – they sound amazing! I would love to hear how it goes.

Best wishes,

Karen.

[Chris Cartwright]

Come along…

http://www.hampshirerecordersinfonia.org.uk/concertdates/concertdates.html

[Karen Hytten]

Thanks so much Chris! I would really love to participate in this, but unfortunately I live in the wrong hemisphere. I hope you have a terrific day! 🙂

[Chris Cartwright]

Hahaha. That seems like a reasonable excuse!

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