|
|
Post by Zi on Jan 19, 2023 11:23:39 GMT
I've not been playing treble long. I've had several abortive attempts to learn it but each time Life had other ideas. I've never got very far with it and the fact I couldn't reach the bottom notes was also an issue. I have spent ages trying to find that treble recorder I could play because I could reach the notes. I've got several now and they all had the same problem - playing bottom F was problematic because my finger couldn't cover the hole. I even proved to myself that bottom F played on each recorder by blocking off the bottom hole. My last purchase is the Aulos Symphony. When it arrived I happily played the scale of F from top to bottom and a bit beyond. I was soooo pleased - at last a recorder I could play. There was celebration here.
So, the other day, I picked up my Aulos Symphony and played some pieces, including bottom F. I thought it was great and that the tone seemed somehow different. It was then I realised I was playing the Haka... the recorder I couldn't play because my fingers couldn't reach. I've tried all of them. Same deal. I can reach all of them...
It's posture. I always suspected it and now I'm convinced. A teacher would have fixed it for me long ago in a few minutes... so it's now thanks to Geert Van Gele and Dolmetsch! And my recorders - now 23 I'm afraid but then Henry VIII had zillions.
|
|
|
|
Post by pavane on Jan 19, 2023 16:05:50 GMT
That's good: you now have several "new" instruments to play! You can get stuck into the Van Eyck pieces in your new book - looks like a good selection.
|
|
|
|
Post by anacrusis on Jan 20, 2023 21:37:50 GMT
It can be something as simple as the wrist angle which does it - yay that you've found whatever it was you needed to do differently! Sometimes it's actually not even the F hole for me - occasionally I find I've covered that but not the E one properly...
|
|
|
|
Post by Zi on Jan 22, 2023 10:07:02 GMT
It can be something as simple as the wrist angle which does it - yay that you've found whatever it was you needed to do differently! Sometimes it's actually not even the F hole for me - occasionally I find I've covered that but not the E one properly... I have no idea what it was. You knew I was going to say that didn't you?  But I'm so pleased. The treble is progressing so fast but I'm struggling with the fingering for the descant... been playing that around 8 or 9 years and now I can't remember it. It's definitely first in first out! The treble seems much easier to play - more stable, better balance, less fiddly. I've found that air needs to go through more gently at times and I breath less often! Definitely much much easier than the descant which I still love the most! |
|
|
|
Post by pavane on Jan 22, 2023 11:03:18 GMT
The treble seems much easier to play - more stable, better balance, less fiddly. You'll be playing tenor before you know it |
|
|
|
Post by Zi on Jan 22, 2023 12:51:21 GMT
The treble seems much easier to play - more stable, better balance, less fiddly. You'll be playing tenor before you know it ROFL. Seriously, I love the sound of the tenor but I can't reach very far... I'm sure that would have to be keyed... |
|
|
|
Post by katyjay on Jan 22, 2023 13:13:08 GMT
< snip > It's posture. I always suspected it and now I'm convinced. A teacher would have fixed it for me long ago in a few minutes... so it's now thanks to Geert Van Gele and Dolmetsch! And my recorders - now 23 I'm afraid but then Henry VIII had zillions. Well done Zi. I know I bang on about posture a lot, but it is amazing what a difference it does make. Not only to reaching notes, but to sound quality and comfort level when playing.... |
|
|
|
Post by katyjay on Jan 22, 2023 13:16:47 GMT
You'll be playing tenor before you know it ROFL. Seriously, I love the sound of the tenor but I can't reach very far... I'm sure that would have to be keyed... Not necessarily. Keyed tenors often have wider spans for the left hand (particularly between the A and G holes) which can be very uncomfortable for the small-pawed (guess how I found that one out...) And, of course, the C/C# keys lead to one playing with the right pinkie raised, like the Queen holding a teacup. Again, not necessarily a comfortable experience. |
|
|
|
Post by Zi on Jan 22, 2023 13:45:02 GMT
So, you're saying that I might well be able to play the tenor if I fix the posture problem there. I did actually wonder about not bothering with bottom C! There's loadsamusic without it.
|
|
|
|
Post by katyjay on Jan 22, 2023 14:31:25 GMT
So, you're saying that I might well be able to play the tenor if I fix the posture problem there. I did actually wonder about not bothering with bottom C! There's loadsamusic without it. Can't guarantee without seeing you play, of course. But it might be worth the try... |
|
|
|
Post by Zi on Jan 22, 2023 14:59:25 GMT
I shan't hold you to it! I've got a couple of tenors... I'll try it and see and I won't give up immediately - which is what I did last time!
Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Post by Zi on Jan 24, 2023 16:27:56 GMT
As it turns out I do indeed have a couple of plastic tenors - an Aulos 211a (Robin) and a keyed Yamaha. I tried both and actually playing the keyed Yamaha is no easier than playing the Aulos Robin. It's a bit of a stretch though to bottom C. The rest is doable perhaps when I find out exactly where the holes are. I do like the sound but it's a bit heavier than the treble, I feel I'd like to rest it on something!
|
|
|
|
Post by pavane on Jan 24, 2023 18:33:20 GMT
In the old on-line chart about tenor finger hole distances, the Yamahas (wood and plastic) were almost the very worst in terms of stretch, even allowing for the keys. Out of interest I was comparing the Robin with the Haka alto the other day and the spacing isn't hugely different, especially 4, 5 and 6. It's also a bit about where the holes are placed - I've noticed it more with the clarinet in a way but I have a couple that have tiny differences between exactly where the keys are and it makes a surprisingly big difference to playing.
Not sure about the resting but I find that I can rest mine on my knee if I'm sitting down and that takes all the weight off it without bothering with supports or thumb rests.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zi on Jan 24, 2023 18:50:34 GMT
I can't get on with a thumb rest. I've tried but it gets in my way. I don't use it on the treble and I've started off without it on the tenor. I'm not sure where to put it and I'm reminded of this discussion about thumb-rests on the Dolmetsch site. It's always amused me. www.dolmetsch.com/recorderthumbrest.htmI have just tried resting on my knee and that works. I might try tying a thumb sling to it as well. It's actually OK as long as I don't play for long. I do like the sound! I can understand why you like playing it. |
|
|
|
Post by evergreen on Jan 24, 2023 20:15:04 GMT
If you want to grow your fingers, you could take a leaf out of the "old masters" book...
Some pianists, including Beethoven, cut the webbing between their fingers in order to increase their span  Or you could do as Robert Schumann did, and make a mechanical device to attach your fingers to in order to torture yourself make yourself a better musician. Although it did have the opposite effect and paralysed his fingers so that he couldn't play the piano any more, so perhaps not the best of ideas! We all have to suffer for our art  |
|
But I'm so pleased. The treble is progressing so fast but I'm struggling with the fingering for the descant... been playing that around 8 or 9 years and now I can't remember it. It's definitely first in first out! The treble seems much easier to play - more stable, better balance, less fiddly. I've found that air needs to go through more gently at times and I breath less often! Definitely much much easier than the descant which I still love the most!
