Hey music people?

[saxikath]

Where in the Boston area would be a good place to buy an inexpensive alto recorder? I want one I can take to LARPs and things without worrying so much about it, which knocks out the wooden alto my dad bought me in Germany.

Comments

[leighjen.livejournal.com]

A toy store maybe? Cheap plastic instruments for annoying parents? Sometime the Goodwill in Davis has things like that in their toy area. Couldn't hurt to check.

[cycon.livejournal.com]

There's a recorder store on Route 9 in Brookline, not too far from the Brookline Village T stop.

[ironrat.livejournal.com]

You might be able to find a cheap wooden recorder at a renfaire. I've certainly seen them there, but never priced them. I'd bet they have all ranges from cheap to quite nice...

[kayre]

Can't help with where, but if you can tolerate plastic, get yourself a Yamaha. They're inexpensive, very sturdy, and have a surprisingly nice tone for plastic. I prefer my Yamaha alto to my wooden tenor (in fact, if you want the tenor, make me an offer!).

[qarylla.livejournal.com]

Well, there is Briggs and Briggs. It used to be in Harvard Square, but I think it moved out to around Porter. I don't know if it is still there, but they were pretty reasonable and had sheet music.

[otherbill.livejournal.com]

If MA schools are anything like AZ schools, try a school supply store. The elementary school music classes seem to go through them by the gross every year.

[thomasfreund.livejournal.com]

I have an extra if you want it. I used to teach with recorders in the summer and I have something like four plastic altos that I never use. The one I think is best is a Yamaha and I'd let it go for... a cup of coffee sometime? :)

[saxikath]

Are you serious? Hell, you can have more than one cup for that. :) Let's talk.

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

I think Briggs and Briggs has gone byebye, but you could try Cambridge Music out at Porter Square.

(The recorder store on Route 9 used to be, or maybe still is, affiliated with the Von Huene early music instrument workshop. Last time I was there was going on 10 years ago, but if it's still the same, their recorders are lovely and not what you're looking for.)

[thomasfreund.livejournal.com]

Early Music Workshop is part of von Huene, and I have now bought six instruments from them, none of them cheap. But they do sell alto recorders from $35 all the way to $3500.

I got to play one of Carolyn's very expensive handmade instruments, and frankly, I like my Moeck and Mollenhauer just about as well for about a tenth the price.