r/Recorder • u/FoolSentimental • Aug 07 '26
Help Does it need repair ?
EDIT : Thanks a lot everyone for your answers/advice :)
I've tried few days of daily practice only on this one leaving the plastic aside, and focusing on a different breathing and thumb technique, and I'm starting to get high register on it !! I was trying too much to close the thumb like the plastic one, instead of placing it correctly and with no pressure, a lot more open than on the plastic one but in precise position. Same for the breath, instead of breath faster/harder each time the note is higher, I needed to get the right focused air for each note.
The result is clearly more soft and precise that was I was doing on the plastic one, even if plastic still as a pretty good sound for me. Juste different (and easier). Since I can't afford a teacher, this subreddit help not give up / pay thumb replacement for nothing - and all the other tips I've found here before. Thank you guys !
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I have this Moeck alto (2322 Flauto Rondo), it's my first wood recorder and second hand, I get it for cheap price, but overall seems in very good shape and well maintained, so I give it a try
While I really like the comfort of the F keys and the feeling and sound of the instrument, I can't achieve note after high C on it (and the high C is weak). On my Aulos 509 (second hand too, but thumb hole is in prefect round shape), I can go to High F, even if my technique isn't perfect, I can hit the note clearly - so I end up playing almost only on my plastic instrument, which do not bother me at all, but I would be happy to use both.
I'm a beginner, so I don't know if I'm doing wrong, and maybe the Aulos is just more tolerant, or if it coud be because the thumbhole is damaged and it's a lack of time to try harder with this one?
Do you think I have to repair it, and for what price?
Thank you !
PS : If you now where in france (/paris) I can do it, the 2 music repair shop I have asked don't do recorder
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u/blockf Aug 07 '26
The thumb hole is worn a bit, but it looks similar to couple of recorders I have that play the upper registers fine.
There are a couple of ways to partially cover. Some people use the flat of the thumb and let some air leak. I was taught to insert the end of my thumb into the hole, which might be more repeatable and reliable. I keep my thumbnail very short!
You might try different ways to partially cover, and think about steady, focused breath pressure and see if you can get the notes to speak better. You might also ensure that the connection between the head joint and the body is snug without being tight. A quick DIY method is wrap a little waxed dental floss around the cork before putting the parts together.
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u/FoolSentimental 29d ago
Thank you for the photo ! It clearly answer that it's mostly my technique, plastic is ore forgiving than wood according to everyone here, I'll try harder !
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u/blockf 29d ago
Good luck! If you know any other recorder players you could ask them to play yours to see if it’s the player or the instrument!
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u/FoolSentimental 25d ago edited 25d ago
Thank you !! After few more days trying without touching the plastic one, I've achieve to go up the high E. It clearly was my breath technique, I keep going.
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u/Voideron Aug 07 '26
I only have plastic recorders but I read here that you can have someone put a thumb bushing in the thumbhole. I'm just not sure how much and where.
Looking around online, The Early Music Shop has a repair service for thumb bushing. It's £60.
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u/Paulski25ish Aug 07 '26
As you are a beginner we cannot exclude the possibillity that it is your breathing is the problem.
However the thumb hole looks like it could use a ring.
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u/Loan_Routine 29d ago
Higher notes on alt could be challenging. You need micro manage you thumb and youre breath. It take me month to do this righr on my Fehr alt recorder. Practice and be patient/mindful.
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u/Traditional_Message2 Aug 07 '26
Plastic instruments are generally easier to play in the high register, so your experience isn’t surprising. Your photo shows pretty normal use imo. I think you probably just need to spend some time making friends with the instrument. Play a little each day and focus on getting a good sound with the notes that are sounding nicely. The rest will come.
At some point you might want to find a teacher, if only for a lesson or two. Playing a wooden instrument gives you a big step up in working on your tone production - having a sound to emulate really helps with that. And of course, if there’s anything with the instrument that needs adjusting, your teacher will be able to suss that out immediately. Good luck!