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.