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Help with yamaha 304b tenor

vikingLeif

Hi,
I just purchased a Yamaha YRT 304B tenor recorder (the one with the pair of keys for the lowest pair of holes, right hand pinky finger) and I'm just having a devil of a time getting it to produce the low C and occasionally D. They both sound an octave higher than they should. I'm betting this is pretty likely caused by poor finger placement (not covering all the holes). I can sometimes get the low D by descending from a good E or F then E but the C almost always goes immediately to the higher octave, even after achieving the low D. also there seems to be no pitch difference between C and C# and both are jumping up in octave when I attempt them.
Is this just a Practice Practice Practice issue or have others had a tough time with this too? I've tried pressing my fingers harder over the other holes and adjusting my hand/finger positions over the holes but have yet to find the right technique that works consistently. Any tips would be much appreciated. I don't have an issue with reaching any of the holes just sealing them (I think).

I love the sound I get otherwise, I'm just really struggling with the lowest notes.
 
You could send your tenor to Lazar's and get keys and/or a knick (bent neck) added or simply order a modified Yamaha from them.
 
(I'm assuming that your new instrument is in good condition -- that the lowest keys properly close.)

The lowest notes on a recorder require a very soft, open breath. If you think of the air stream for the highest notes to be something like an arrow -- narrow and fast, the air stream for the lowest notes is just the opposite -- broad and slow (think "ahhh, ahhhh" -- a warm breath). That's the first step.

The other possible problem is finger leakage-placement. It can be fairly tricky at first, when you are trying to cover all or most of the holes on a recorder. With the lowest notes the problem is often with the first (index) or second finger of the right hand. To check for this, you can try lifting up and replacing each finger, one after the other, while trying to blow the note. This should give you a sign if the problem is with finger placement.

Finally, it might be wise to book a lesson (or two) with a good teacher... you'll save a lot of time and possibly avoid a few mistakes right off the bat.

[I see now that the OP's message is from nine years ago... oh well. :) ]
 
Last edited:
chasax said:
You could send your tenor to Lazar's and get keys and/or a knick (bent neck) added or simply order a modified Yamaha from them.
Click to expand...

What would be the purpose of this with respect to learning to play the lowest notes?
 
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