Recorder Flute

Recorder Flute

Yamaha YRS-302B Soprano Recorder, Key of C

The current popularity of the replicas of the ancient Anasazi flute among members of the Native American flute community present a heap of interesting challenges for the Native American flute (NAF) enthusiast. The main divergence comes from the nature of sound production of the dissimilar flutes. Traditional NAFs owe their mouthpiece structure to the European recorder or penny whistle due to the fipple which splits the air column creating the sound. As the NAF developed, a two-chamber system with a little air channel directing the airflow became the standard. The Anasazi flute replicas are examples of a much earlier, less technical system of using a mouth-guided airflow, or embouchure, as the means of sound production.

The early NAFs scale and tuning systems varied. There was a biometric method based upon boring holes sameness to distances of respective points of the player’s hands, as well a great deal of tunings much like the major scale of recorders and penny whistles. Sometime in the 1950s-70s the standardization of the pentatonic scale became the intimate sound that has attracted persons to the flute. The relative ease of sound production and delighting sound of the pentatonic scale ensures quick success for the musician and non-musician alike. In contrast, the Anasazi-style flutes require that a tone be produced by training the mouth muscles to direct the sound throughout the front edge of the top of the flute. This divergence is at introductory difficult for galore humans since sound is not mechanically invented by simple blowing, but is formulated much like blowing all over a soda bottle. A bit of muscle memory and trial and error (and a significant amount of practice) is necessary before a consistent sound may be obtained.

The other divergence among the two flutes is that the basic scale pattern of the Anasazi flute is a pentatonic major scale. That is more or less of a simplification because by utilizing other fingerings a more plaintive, minor sound may likewise be produced, but the main harmonic basis of the flute is a pentatonic major. Although the two flutes are dissimilar in construction and playing technique, the two may in truth be played together as will be discussed in a future article.

Recorder Flute Image

Recorder Flute Pic

Recorder Flute Photo

Recorder Flute Photo

Most helpful client reviews

88 of 90 humans found the following review helpful.
Very very nice. Baroque, not German (and why this matters)
By Mark A. Peot
I purchased two of these recorders: one as a substitute for my daughter’s inexpensive soprano recorder (which my 3 year-old son shattered while playing golf) and one to play when I travel.
My goal was to find an inexpensive, easy-to-care-for recorder with a softer sound than the typical shrieking whistle sold to school children.

43 of 44 humans found the following review helpful.
Great instrument for the price
By Mindy
For the price, this recorder is one of the best plastic ones out there. If you are thinking in regards to attempting the recorder, I would highly commend this one over the for less ones. The for less ones tend to sound shrill when you commence playing the higher notes. I think that’s portion of the reason why recorders have such a bad reputation; kids shrieking on their school issued recorders may send any adult running. In contrast, the Yamaha 302 has a warmer tone and the higher register is not grating on the ears. It comes with a cleaning rod, cream for the joints, a somewhat nice carrying case that zips, and a little insert with a fingering chart.

22 of 22 persons found the following review helpful.
Fantastic Value
By Walter Reade
This Yamaha recorder provides fantastic quality for the price. The Soprano YRS-302B is durable, comfortable, and sounds astoundingly nice. It will meet the needs of most casual players.

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