Takeyama Soprano Recorder in Maple (a=415)

Having enjoyed playing my Takeyama voice flute for several years, I had very high expectations of the soprano (which I saw quite by chance in the EMS sale) and from the moment I took it out of its beautiful fleece roll, I knew that this was a very special instrument. It looks and feels amazing, and, from the very first time I played it, I realised that this was the soprano for me. The lower register is rich and plummy, and the highest notes sound pure and clear, with no need to force or worry about squeeking. It is terribly easy to play, and possibly the most responsive instrument I have ever had. I played lots of Bach, and then the solo parts (in Aldo Bova's arrangement for soprano and tenor) of concertos by Marcello, Sammartini and Vivaldi. Passages I had previously found difficult now seemed almost to play themselves. The sound is really sweet and beautiful, and the instrument seemed indefatiguable, with none of the condensation problems I had encountered with other instruments. It requires very little air, and so long passages can be accomplished in one breath. My teacher (who has several Takeyama instruments) thought I had been very lucky to get it at the price I did.

It is a beautiful instrument. I do like Takeyama. I also own an alto 415 where the tome is also lovely. It’s very responsive and flute like in the upper register like is said in the description. Thing about these instruments they’re so light. I know it doesn’t matter so much with a soprano but with the bigger instruments it makes a difference in support. This little instrument gets the high notes effortlessly. Recommended.