Customer Reviews

Yamaha Simulated Rosewood 300-Series 3-Piece C-Soprano Recorder

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

 

 

I am just learning the old flute, or recorder. I wanted one of decent quality without paying too much, in case I didn't like it. This recorder has a great sound, especially once a person learns how to properly play it (the cats ran and hid when I first blew into it, now they sit next to me while I play). The recorder is easy to clean, easy to play, and comes in a nice case, with basic instructions for play and care. I definitely recommend this product to others, and I expect it to last me quite awhile.

This is not your father's plastic recorder -- or even your grandfather's! I have a lovely old Dolmetsch plastic alto which has been very nicely revoiced, but these little puppies sound just as good right off the shelf. Fabulous. It has an excellent dynamic range, with minimal fluctuation in pitch; you can push it very hard in all registers to produce an edgy, shakuhachi-like sound, or drop it into a pleasant, expressive piano/dolce, with acceptable intonation. I love it. You need it for all the same reasons we all like to keep a plastic recorder in our bag, playing outside in the rain, lugging on a long train trip without worrying if it's stolen or lost, etc. -- just that it is really a good, basic instrument too.

I played the soprano recorder many years ago, I decided to take it up again. When I received my Yamaha recorder I couldn't wait to try it out. I am very happy with it, it has a good sound and has a recorder purse to keep it in. It sounds better than the one I had at school. It didn't take long for it to arrive. While I waited for it, I found out my local music shop sold a similar recorder at twice the price.

We are beginning recorder players (myself and my two kids), but are exprerienced musicians and know what decent instruments should sound like. We've bought a number of plastic and wood recorders off eBay and from Amazon, all of them fairly inexpensive, I have no illusions that we own any instruments that are that impressive. This Yamaha is by far the best value for the money. Attractive, easy to finger and play, excellent intonation, excellent tone (not raspy or harsh like most plastic recorders), and very easy to play the upper registers. Very nice case, too. For $22, it's a ridiculously good buy. I also bought an Alto, which plays great.

I played the recorder for many years and decided to take it up again as an ideal instrument to play for the hospice patients that I visit. I had been told that a good plastic recorder is the best choice for beginners, so decided to find a good one, and the reviews on this definitely seemed to be best. And so far, I have very mixed feelings on this instrument. The simulated wood is very nice looking, and it slides together easily and plays beautifully. For awhile. But I find I have constant issues with it clogging. I've definitely learned that it has to be warmed up considerably before playing and even then, I get maybe 15-20 minutes at best before I run into problems. This is simply the nature of plastic, with wood recorders the moisture is more easily absorbed as you play. With plastic it clogs up in the narrow passage of the mouthpiece and can be very hard to compensate as you play. You may have more or less issues depending on the temperature and climate that you play in, for me, it's a very frustrating situation and I will probably be looking for a wooden recorder that gives me less trouble for longer playing sessions.

The product is ok....not as great a sound as they let on but passable.

The seller, which stated the product was Available, didn't bother to ship it for over a month. It was supposed to have been a Christmas present and although it was ordered Dec. 11, leaving more than enough time for a on-time delivery, they just didn't care and didn't bother until it was much too late.

I would buy this recorder again, but not from this seller.