Customer Reviews

Yamaha 300-Series 2-Piece F-Sopranino Recorder (Dark Brown)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, this is not my first Sopranino recorder. I have played recorder now for over 40 years, so I have some experience with the instruments. The first thing out of the package, I noticed a sharp ridge of plastic on the mouthpiece, which I had to scrape down to avoid cutting my lip. After playing the instrument I found it to play well in tune, but the upper register is pinched, the lower register weak, and the overall sound to be rather annoying. The overall volume of sound is much less than my similar priced Aulos, so it might be okay for playing in a massed ensemble where the sopranino line is not the solo, but other than that I will stay with either my Aulos or my wood Mollenhauer instruments. I do notice the diameter of the bore on the Yamaha to be much smaller than any of my other sopraninos, so this probably accounts for a lot of the weakness of sound. I outer diameter is also correspondingly smaller. For a person with really small hands this might be a plus, but the finger hole spacing it self is exactly the same as the Aulos.

Overall, I give it credit for good looks, and good intonation, but mark off for volume and the overall sound quality.

Unlike the larger Yamaha recorders I have (soprano and Alto) this one has an incorrigibly shrill sound no matter how the breath is modified to accomodate it. The price is great of course, but the old adage comes to mind, "you get what you pay for...".

I enjoy my little Yamaha Sopranino! The lowest notes don't sound too wonderful, but that's not what I pull it out for. This thing can be loud, but it's fun to play as long as you're not in an enclosed space!

For the price, you can't beat it. If you already play an alto, I recommend giving it a whirl because it's the same fingerings.