Garklein Flötlein

Standard (Baroque) Sopraninos

Standard (Baroque) Descants (soprano)

Descants - Suitable for Beginners

The 'school' recorder. The much maligned instrument that comes to everyone's mind when the recorder is mentioned. These are cheap and cheerful. Many others are instruments of musical torture. The Aulos 'Robin' is far better than you would ever expect from the price.

Descants - Suggested for Improvers.

These models are a step or two above the cheapest and can be good value. If you are a complete beginner I do not think it would be wise to buy from the next more expensive group. Learn to play confidently first.

Descants - More suitable for 'Serious' Players.

The higher quality models are made of wood. The 'very best' quality is the preserve of individual craftsmen. If you are playing a lot... say hours a week rather than minutes a day, avoid maple and pear wood... and olive as well, you will wear the instrument out in ways that cannot be repaired. I no longer have any stock of this class of recorder.

Standard (Baroque) Trebles (alto)

Trebles - Suitable for Beginners.

All recorder players interested in classical baroque music should play the treble (alto) recorder. It is the solo recorder. Do not be put off by the change in fingering from the descant (soprano). Start with one from this group. My comments about descants and choice apply equally to trebles.

Trebles - More suitable for Solo Players.

The plastic models provide an interesting alternative to expensive wooden recorders for advanced and improving players. Their more individual tone quality, which favours the higher notes, may not appeal to a novice.

Tenors

Aulos Thumb Rests

These items have been moved here from my previous descriptive recorder list.

CASES & ACCESSORIES

Recorder Cases

Hard Cases   de luxe cases, wood frame, black vinyl covered, with handles. Approximate dimensions in centimetres.

Odds and ends.

Sling for any bass (simple hook.)

MISCELLANEOUS MUSICAL GOODS

ONE HANDED RECORDERS

Those made by Zen-On are no longer available. There is a Dolmetsch design based on the "Academy" model, for wooden descants and trebles. Mollenhauer also produce wooden instruments of this sort. The mechanism is differently organised.

One handed recorders to the Dolmetsch design are made by Peter Worrell.

These are very expensive items on account of their individuality and the amount of skilled work needed to produce them.

SPECIAL RECORDERS
FOR
PROBLEM HANDS

I have plastic descant and treble recorders for those with unusual hands. Aulos have produced instruments in which the angular position of each hole may be set by the owner to accommodate short or missing fingers. It may be played either hand at the top and plugs are provided to block holes which cannot be reached. A very comprehensive guide is provided and the loss of some fingers is not the bar to playing that it seems at first. It is possible to play with only six digits. Click here to view a pdf copy of the descant setting up instructions. This instrument makes recorder playing possible for many who have thought it beyond their physical capability.

Only the lower hand of the treble version has the holes on separate parts. Full details of the treble model are here. There are three versions of the treble. I have the 'English' one in stock. There is a rubber ring around the bell of the trebles. Its use is not explained but when I tried one out I found myself resting the end of the recorder on my desk. Query answered! The 'German' trebles are playable with one less finger than is usual and come in 'right handed' and 'left handed' versions.

Contact me if you would like to try either on approval.

SECOND-HAND INSTRUMENTS

I used to deal in good quality used instruments. Few of these made it onto my web pages. A small separate list is maintained. I am very fussy about quality and I do guarantee the second-hand stock, though I prefer to sell it to personal callers. I do not handle commission sales but I now have a 'small ad' page.

MUSIC

As I approached retirement, I 'downsized', and sold most of my large stock of music to Recorder Music Mail. (I kept the beginners methods as these are often needed by first time recorder buyers. The few that I now have left are at half price and I am open to offers.) I still have recorder interest books a selection of folk music and some used recorder music in excellent condition .

SAUNDERS RECORDERS
BRISTOL ENGLAND

john@saundersrecorders.com

Orders by email (preferred), telephone, or post, welcome.
Please click this link for details.

Goods normally dispatched within 24 hours.

Please see the News page for details of the changes to the business.

The business is no longer VAT registered.

The business proprietor is John Everingham F.T.C.L.