Hi Folks,
Im brand new here, this being my first post. I am an adult semi-beginner on the recorder, and Id value some feedback on a couple of instruments Im considering buying. I have a bit of a background in music; Ive sung a great deal in choirs and musical, took a few lessons on the alto recorder (I had a Yamaha plastic 300 series) about 17 years ago, and alto sax lessons for a year (5 years ago).
At this point, after much contemplation, I've decided to begin on soprano. This has to do with both my budget limits, as well as my interest in playing jazz-type, standards. I've seen a few videos and heard some players play tunes like "Summertime" on the soprano, and I'm very inspired.
That said, I am interested in getting a good wooden soprano that fits my budget of around $100 perhaps a bit more. I must admit that, while some people have recommended I stick with a good plastic instrument, either a Yamaha or Aulos, I am a bit prejudiced thinking that a plastic piece is not a "real" instrument. The recorder will be the main instrument for me, so I'd like to get a decent wood one. I have the following in mind, and I'd appreciate your feedback:
1) Mollenhauer Prima: A pear wood body piece and plastic mouthpiece. I heard Jean-Francois' CD "Spinnaker" on which he plays the Prima exclusively, and I love it. There is also a woman on YouTube, and she plays a number of tunes on a Prima.
http://www.mollenhauer.com/en/catal...pl&category_id=127&product_id=92#.U7Cb2LZgM7A
2) Mollenhauer Canta: All pear wood. Someone else recommended this to me. I must admit, it's my least favorite of the three.
http://www.mollenhauer.com/en/catal...pl&product_id=38&category_id=137#.U7CcSLZgM7A
3) Mollenhauer Waldorf Edition: All pear wood. This is the one I'm leaning towards out of all these. I like that it says on the Mollenhauer website: "Fine and expressive: Strong, durable and clear convincing as a solo instrument for all sorts of music from early music to Jazz...." And I must admit I'm quite attracted to the van Eyck design.
http://www.mollenhauer.com/en/catal...l&product_id=239&category_id=175#.U7CcxbZgM7A
Any and all thoughts on these (and any others you might suggest) will be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Keith
Im brand new here, this being my first post. I am an adult semi-beginner on the recorder, and Id value some feedback on a couple of instruments Im considering buying. I have a bit of a background in music; Ive sung a great deal in choirs and musical, took a few lessons on the alto recorder (I had a Yamaha plastic 300 series) about 17 years ago, and alto sax lessons for a year (5 years ago).
At this point, after much contemplation, I've decided to begin on soprano. This has to do with both my budget limits, as well as my interest in playing jazz-type, standards. I've seen a few videos and heard some players play tunes like "Summertime" on the soprano, and I'm very inspired.
That said, I am interested in getting a good wooden soprano that fits my budget of around $100 perhaps a bit more. I must admit that, while some people have recommended I stick with a good plastic instrument, either a Yamaha or Aulos, I am a bit prejudiced thinking that a plastic piece is not a "real" instrument. The recorder will be the main instrument for me, so I'd like to get a decent wood one. I have the following in mind, and I'd appreciate your feedback:
1) Mollenhauer Prima: A pear wood body piece and plastic mouthpiece. I heard Jean-Francois' CD "Spinnaker" on which he plays the Prima exclusively, and I love it. There is also a woman on YouTube, and she plays a number of tunes on a Prima.
http://www.mollenhauer.com/en/catal...pl&category_id=127&product_id=92#.U7Cb2LZgM7A
2) Mollenhauer Canta: All pear wood. Someone else recommended this to me. I must admit, it's my least favorite of the three.
http://www.mollenhauer.com/en/catal...pl&product_id=38&category_id=137#.U7CcSLZgM7A
3) Mollenhauer Waldorf Edition: All pear wood. This is the one I'm leaning towards out of all these. I like that it says on the Mollenhauer website: "Fine and expressive: Strong, durable and clear convincing as a solo instrument for all sorts of music from early music to Jazz...." And I must admit I'm quite attracted to the van Eyck design.
http://www.mollenhauer.com/en/catal...l&product_id=239&category_id=175#.U7CcxbZgM7A
Any and all thoughts on these (and any others you might suggest) will be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Keith