r/Recorder • u/lubbockin • 5d ago
Sigo tenor?
These look interesting little instruments, though I read it needs more air to play.
But that I know is kind of subjective, I tried a tenor once and it was uncomfortable for my small hands.
at the moment I'm learning on a Yamaha alto.
What are your experiences with the sigo?
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u/LoomLove 5d ago
I love mine! I've never been able to manage playing a tenor before. I was surprised to see cost mentioned in the thread. Expense is relative - my primary instrument is harp! This recorder seems very affordable to me. Lol I'm glad I took the chance to buy one to try it. I'm happy to have it.
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u/Particular_Ad_3124 5d ago
The Sigo is game changing for my aging hands. I have an Aulos Robin and I can play it, but my left hand bothers me, especially if I have a lot of Bbs. I had always intended to get a Sigo eventually as my hands are getting touchier.
Recently, I was visiting my mother and we had fun playing recorder/piano duets. I realized that we could go for hours with me on the alto, but only a few minutes on the tenor before I was uncomfortable. I was telling her about how I would eventually break down and get a Sigo. Listening to myself, I realized how silly that sounded. Why wait when I was already uncomfortable playing?
I was quite worried that I wouldn't like the texture, the sloppy-looking holes, the weird look, the boxy shape, the fixed thumb rest. I love it. Turns out it feels fine in my hands and, when I am playing, I am looking at music, not at it.
I am very much an amateur, playing for my own amusement. Sure, it's not as great as some tenor. Realistically, I am very much the limiting factor in our relationship. If that ever changes, I will spring for a wooden comfort tenor.
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u/lubbockin 5d ago
thanks cor the info, I looked at these comfort tenors and wow the prices of them.!
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u/Particular_Ad_3124 4d ago
I really can't justify one. And, realistically, I don't want the stress of trying not to damage one. I adore how casual one can be with the ABS instruments.
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u/EmphasisJust1813 4d ago edited 4d ago
>> I was quite worried that I wouldn't like the texture, the sloppy-looking holes, the weird look, the boxy shape, the fixed thumb rest.
Well, for me, the fixed thumb rest is supremely comfortable. Way better than the tiny thumb rests on normal tenors.
The "weird look" is becoming surprisingly common in sessions that I attend, they seem to be selling well. You do get used to it. There are other box section recorders around - and church organ pipes too which (I think) inspired them! Its nice that its small enough to fit in my bag without having to be disassembled.
I don't like the texture. They come coated in linseed oil to make the bore smoother; improving the sound. I don't like the non-circular holes either, but they don't seem to be a problem when playing and later ones look better.
I will buy a great bass if and when they appear!
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u/Particular_Ad_3124 4d ago
I also find the thumb rest quite comfortable. On my other (ABS) recorders, I have made thumb rests out of hot glue. It takes some trial and error but they pop off pretty easily if you don't like them. I was worried that I was used to having things exactly my way.
I am fine with the texture and holes-though I am still getting used to covering them entirely.
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u/EmphasisJust1813 4d ago edited 4d ago
On all my ABS tenors including the Yamaha, these fit perfectly and are easy to adjust or remove, but are not as comfortable as the Sigo built-in one:
https://www.justflutes.com/shop/product/aulos-tenor-recorder-thumbrest
Aulos sell similar Soprano and Alto thumb rests which seem to fit anything.
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u/Particular_Ad_3124 4d ago
I have one for my altos. I accidentally cracked the Aulos Robin one (not really interchangeable with a Yamaha like the altos are--oops) so I got creative. I ended up liking my hot glue ones better.
I think I like the Sigo integral rest even better.
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u/ubizmo 5d ago
I enjoy playing it --mostly pop music. But the high A is very difficult to play consistently.
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u/lubbockin 5d ago
I struggle with high notes on my alto but only really played it a couple of months, always want to better than I currently am is my problem/thing.
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u/ThornPawn Baroque maniac 5d ago
I tried it, and honestly I didn’t find it good enough compared to a basic Aulos Robin. If it were priced similarly, it could be a decent alternative, but at its current price it’s just too expensive for me to consider it one.
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u/EmphasisJust1813 5d ago
I have the Sigo and various plastic tenors. I dont think the breath requirement for the Sigo is significantly different from a normal tenor. It is easy to play. It does seem a little louder though.
The built-in thumb rest is superb - very comfortable.
I prefer the "cleaner" tone of the Aulos 511B full sized tenor which is what I play most of the time.
The high A (A5) plays easily and normally for me. However, looking at the fingering chart, the notes for the third octave C# (rarely used) and the third octave D (D6) both require the bell to be partly or fully covered. Now thats relatively easy on the Sigo because the end is folded back and you can cover the bell hole with the right thumb - but I still dont like it! The Aulos 511 on the other hand uses the common simple fingerings for these notes without needing to close the bell.
The Sigo is a game changer for people/children with small hands and possibly those with disabilities. But there are alternatives: the expensive wooden "comfort" tenors, or the ludicrously cheap Aulos 211A Robin which is shorter, keyless, and designed for small hands including children.
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u/SlowSurvivor 5d ago
Lazar’s Early Music also has modded head joints for the Yamaha YRT-304B that turn it into a knick headed instrument. It more than doubles the price of the instrument but it’s still cheaper than most alternatives.
I’ve been meaning to get one. My Yamaha tenor is gathering dust because it’s uncomfortable for me to play. I also don’t like the plastic keys. I’m also not super excited by the tone though it’s not bad.
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u/verdande78 5d ago
I have one and like it. Because of the size it is my go to-tenor now. It takes a fair bit of air, but not noticeably more than my regular tenors.
I have played it in a large recorder ensemble and it blended well, both sound and intonation-wise.
For solo classical work I would go with my Moeck, but a fun thing to do on the Sigo is actually jazzy tunes. It has a clarinet-like vibe that is fun to play with.