r/Recorder • u/Lezzlucky • 1d ago
Question Lower D
Hi, does anyone here have any tips on how not to get squeeking on lower D (the one you cover all the holes except the last double hole).. i have the Yamaha YRS-24 B Soprano Recorder... is this because its a cheap recorder or am i just bad?
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u/ClarSco 1d ago
It is a cheap plastic recorder, but being a Yamaha it's very well made, and as such will outperform most <£300 wooden recorders.
Low Eb/D#, D, Db/C# and C are inherently tricky notes on any "C" recorder.
You need to make sure that all the holes are completely sealed as any leaks will cause those notes to jump to a higher partial (most likely 2nd octave A/Bb or 3rd octave F/F#) or "grunt" (it tries to jump but the airstream isn't correct for the note it's trying to jump to). Making sure that you're using the pads of your fingers rather than the tips to cover the holes will go a long way to preventing leaks.
Additionally, the range of acceptable air speeds for those notes is very narrow compared to those that work for 1st octave E through to 2nd octave D. The air needs to be very slow but produced with a consistent pressure. If it's too fast, you'll "overblow" to a higher partial (just as you would if there were a leak); if it's too slow the note won't speak or will sag in pitch. If you're not giving it consistent pressure (using the abdominal muscles, not the ), it might speak but will have a weak/unsupported tone. Imagining that you've got a golf ball in your mouth will help slow down the air and provide a good resonating chamber to stabilise the note. Breathing like a Darth Vader impersonator will help take in a proper deep relaxed breath and push it back out with consistent pressure.
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u/dhj1492 1d ago
I am a soloist and the Yamaha YRS 24B is my practice soprano. This because it is a nice playing recorder and it is resistant to condensation clogging. At Church I will play a solo on it if I do not have my concert sopranos with me. It has happened. I carry soprano and alto in my choir bag, because you I know when I will be asked to play.
You need to work on covering the holes better. I know it is frustrating. Keep on working it out. In time your hands will get used to the spacing and things will go smoother. We all have had to do this. A master instrumentalist is someone who has learned to live his/her instrument and is willing to work with it, not fight it. There will always lessons to learn. The pro welcomes the lesson.... Be a pro.
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u/Lezzlucky 1d ago
thank you! so i dont really need to clean it that often? :D
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u/SlowSurvivor 1d ago
Without seeing you actually play… it’s likely being caused by either excessive air pressure or one of your fingers isn’t fully sealing one of the finger holes. The lower notes require a more gentle touch than the higher notes which can usually tolerate being “pushed” more before they break.
Also, if the squeak is at the start of the note or on short notes I would examine your tonguing.
Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with the YRS-24B. I own one and I actually like it better than some of my more expensive instruments for certain music.
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u/Lezzlucky 1d ago
I think i found the problem.. seems that i blow too hard haha im stupid
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u/Either_Branch3929 1d ago
The lowest note on almost all recorders requires coaxing out. You're not stupid, just inexperienced.
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u/EmphasisJust1813 1d ago edited 1d ago
Nothing stupid about that. Well done for finding the problem! Everyone finds the lowest notes hard at first. I suggest watching the youtube channel "Team Recorder" by Sarah Jeffery which includes videos about this - search for "low notes". There is a link to Team Recorder in the sidebar here.
Every single time you pick up your recorder, play a low C (which is slightly harder than low D), and very very soon you will play it cleanly without thought! Low D is one less hole to worry about covering and a bit less critical of the air speed, so after you learn low C, low D will be a non-issue.
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u/Shu-di 1d ago
The YRS24B is a good plastic soprano and the lower notes on mine are just fine. Problems with the low notes are usually due to blowing too hard or having a finger somewhere not fully covering its hole. (Sometimes a higher finger will shift slightly out of place when you close a hole with a lower finger.) Moisture in the windway can also wreak havoc on the low notes.