Wood vs Plastic Tenor recorder

A quick video to compare a good plastic recorder with a bottom of the range wooden recorder. See what you think :)

[NickGKiefer]

The plastic has a distinct plastic sound to it. I prefer the wooden one. It sounds more mellow.

[kathleenebsen]

Thank you! I started playing on a plastic Yamaha alto. However I have lost much sensitivity in my fingertips due to diabetes. I can’t control the grip on the smooth plastic surface and the instrument drops right out of my hands! I bought the cheap Chinese made student model of maple on Amazon. I’m able to control it and it sounds sweet and lovely. Here in the States, recorders are not part of the Jazz, Blues and Rock and Roll culture. I’m able to buy beautiful hand made German wooden recorders on a charity auction site for next to nothing. I must say that each wood has it’s own voice and adds color to the piece you are playing. Watch Tom Prescott’s tutorial on the care of wooden recorders. They need to be oiled in a way that does not destroy the wind way. Cheers!

[ClevisHeadtheFrenchie_editz]

As a trumpet player, I can safely say that the tenor sounds better playing Scarborough fair than a trumpet. Plastic or wooden.

[jarlprae]

I was quite surprised by how well the plastic recorder sounds. Hard to put into words, but I thought the plastic would be a much "tinnier" and harsh timbre but it really did much better than expected. I'm thinking about "gifting" myself a Yamah 304B. Used to play clarinet and miss playing a woodwind. Thank you so much for sharing this video with all of us, greatly appreciated. Cheers.

[grahamfelvus]

I liked the sound of both the recorders. I think the risk of buying cheap wooden instruments is that the intonation can be less than ideal. I also noticed that your wooden tenor only has a key for low C, but not for C#. This is also common on older wooden instruments.

[fritslourens]

A man who plays the flute beautifully. And if he makes some mistakes, no problem. After all, such is life.
By the way, I wanted to buy a bass recorder. But those wooden things...so expensive. Plastic then? No way.
But Simon inspired me. Like life, a flute doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.
Thank you, Simon!

[demetrioskosmas]

Thanks for that comparison. I ordered my Aulos 211A keyless tenor yesterday, looking forward to it. Btw, nice vibrato!

[cutechiangels]

Thanks for your comparison. I wish to find a wooden tenor recorder, too. For 20£, wow!! 😁
Keep it up! 👍

[Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

It was good, with no reverb/ guitar lingo. This $30.00 tablet allows 'some' quality to be heard, I think I hear a more gentle attack and fade of notes with wood. Aulos sound is more abrupt in both of these categories. Just my unrefined audios' dimensions. Oh, congrats' on the super find! She's a beauty at $200.00 but at $20.00 I'm sharing in the joy.

[raulishnikovdancer]

Both beautiful. Aulos seems to be more reliable as you are used to it. The new one you need to get the touch for the lower notes, but sounds awsome, and for L20 . Has a lot more character, and that is considering is not a very high end recorder at 20, is a fairly modest, used, worn recorder and yet sounds beautiful.

[jenskreibach]

In my opinion one should own a plastic and a wooden instrument of each size. Plastic recorders are great workhorses for practicing. On the wooden one you actually play .

[JoyPetCM]

Hi Simon, I was in search of a woden recorder, but (strangely enough) I really loved the sound of the plastic one. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Would you mind sharing its specifications or a link to this instrument, please? 🤗

[phillipgatlin]

The wooden recorder flute plays a better sound, the sound is more smooth than the sound of the plastic recorder flute.

[petercane]

I think it would be very interesting to play a plastic recorder and a wooden one BEHIND A SCREEN so we cannot see which one you are playing.
I wager a few will be cought out!!!!
I am willing to settle for what I can afford.
A good brand new wooden recorder is five times the cost of a good quality plastic Aulos or Yamaha.
I cannot honestly say that they SOUND five times better?.
The improvement of the sound I think is marginal.

[Shakerx]

Just bought a YRT-304BII. I don't play yet, but will learn, as will my children. Although the resonance of wood is mellow compared to the rigidity of ABS plastic, the plastic is easier to maintain and keep clean for hygiene reasons. I now have all the latest ABS Yamaha recorders except the bass which is not on my shopping list due to cost and size. I also bought 4 YRS-24B recorders as well for group practice. They are only some of the instruments I have, but a good foundation to music.

[starman]

I like the plastic recorder. There's nothing wrong with the wooden one, either. Maybe I was misled by another recorder player who said there is a lifespan for wooden recorders but not plastic.

[Helena-]

As soon as I heard Scarborough Fair (sorry if I wrote it wrong) I felt so happy. Thank you for the video. I am going to get myself the wooden one. I grew up with my recorders, which where all from plastic. I take this as a sign. Have a nice day

[Chris-zioo]

I would prefer the warm sound of a wooden Soul, especially for musical worship. - I think your german wooden one is perhaps made for left hand people. 🤔

[SuzukiHarpmaster]

i prefer plastic because cleaning is more easy and sound is also very beautiful

[f.pompeuroda]

Hi really nice. is it very difficult to play ? do you give skype classes ?