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Post by pavane on Nov 28, 2023 20:45:04 GMT
Been slowly contemplating a bass recorder myself.... I like the lower instruments. It's a shame that Great Basses are a bit outide my price range at the moment.
I bought a plastic bass a few years ago, the Aulos one with the crook, and I could not get on with it at all, just couldn't seem to find a comfortable position for it, either with the crook or the direct blow cap (though that was better than the crook). I would love to get a great bass but they all cost loadsa money - it's a pity nobody makes a plastic one. One day, I'll follow in Zi's illustrious footsteps and get the Thomann plastic bass, it has to be worth it for the fun one might get out of it.
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Post by Zi on Nov 30, 2023 9:10:32 GMT
Zi needs to follow in her own footsteps and actually play the thing. Zi has gone all getting games to work on Linux obsessed and tomorrow is Christmas...
It's interesting about the crook because I'm now convinced that would be much easier for me to play. I suspect the grass is always greener etc etc. Don't regret the Thomann though - the bit I've played was hilarious and there's always the hope I might do something. Kind of off topic but sort of on topic - I bought a lot of looms a few years ago - we moved shortly afterwards so a couple I'd never got round to using. Anyway, I've been weaving this last year - a lot of samples (I'm obsessed with tartan designs). This last month I've woven some larger pieces which are actually useful and it's really come home to me that had I not bought the stuff, I'd have never have woven these now. It's a long way round to say I have no regrets and I live in hope!
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Post by pavane on Nov 30, 2023 10:18:33 GMT
I thought the crook seemed like a good idea because it would mean the body of the instrument could be located in exactly the right place (though to be absolutely honest, I also thought it looked pretty cool) but in the end it always seemed to put the thing in exactly the wrong place.
It's worth considering just what a big difference a small variation in size/shape/configuration/whatever can make. This is one of those occasions when it would be good to post a photograph, but I haven't got around to sorting that out yet so I'll have to use something stock: if you look at the picture of this clarinet you can see the cluster of side keys (it's clearest on the 6th photo along) - there a two large keys with rollers and one that wraps around above them. This configuration, where the wrap-around key is parallel to the tops of the other keys, seems by far the most common. I have an older instrument where this key is angled upwards, just by a few mm, but it's MUCH easier for me to reach, it lies just under my finger (which in naturally sloping downwards).
I've said this before but my most expensive recorder is the only one to have a built-in thumb rest; it's adjustable and yet so badly placed for me that I have had to take it off and replace it with a bit of bent metal that does not improve the appearance of the instrument but is the only way I can play it.
So, maybe, the crook really would work better for you. Of course, it might make matters even worse
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Post by Zi on Nov 30, 2023 17:22:21 GMT
That's interesting.
I can't see the clarinet - I get link expired. I've never seen link expired before so RIP link. Before that I got mallet gong... I think they must be messing about with their site.
What you're really saying is that if ever want I crook I should get one! I agree. It's the kind of advice I like. But I also find those bigger recorders quite heavy to hold and I'm still reasonably fit and strong... I drag huge bags of compost and bird food about... But maybe it's just short burst thing and I couldn't drag bags about for as much time as I need to practise on the recorder.
I did find the strap on the recorder really good for taking the weight of the thing.
PS tried to replicate your issue - failed. I hate those intermittent fault things...
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Post by largissimo on Dec 1, 2023 11:48:13 GMT
I suspect with the damp in my place, an F bass with a crook would get choked with condensation in nothing flat! I wonder if it's worth saving up for the Yamaha plastic bass, which seems to be the universal workhorse of its kind.
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Post by Zi on Dec 1, 2023 18:20:25 GMT
Yamaha have a good reputation. I've seen them recommended when several recorder players are playing together because they're consistent. However, the Yamahas I've bought (I have a descant and a tenor) clog like mad. Maybe it's me.
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Post by pavane on Dec 3, 2023 10:20:33 GMT
I have 3 plastic tenors: the Yamaha and two Auloses (Auloi??) and I mostly use the Yamaha. I don't find clogging a particular problem but I do use the Bernolin anti condensation stuff on it from time to time. For what it's worth, John Everingham reckons Aulos are better in the smaller sizes, Yamaha in the larger. Maybe I'm just being stingy but I find the price leap from the tenor a bit hard to justify: it's a bit bigger so there's more plastic going into it, and it has 4 keys rather than 2, but that doesn't seem quite enough to triple the price.
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Post by Zi on Dec 4, 2023 13:08:41 GMT
so there's more plastic going into it, and it has 4 keys rather than 2, but that doesn't seem quite enough to triple the price Maybe it's the old supply and demand thing going on. I vaguely remember something about that from having studied economics at O level... I gave it up after that - it bored me silly...
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