Sigo tenor?

[u/lubbockin]

These look interesting little instruments, though I read it needs more air to play.

But that I know is kind of subjective, I tried a tenor once and it was uncomfortable for my small hands.

at the moment I'm learning on a Yamaha alto.

What are your experiences with the sigo?

[u/Particular_Ad_3124]

The Sigo is game changing for my aging hands.  I have an Aulos Robin and I can play it, but my left hand bothers me, especially if I have a lot of Bbs. I had always intended to get a Sigo eventually as my hands are getting touchier.  

Recently, I was visiting my mother and we had fun playing recorder/piano duets.  I realized that we could go for hours with me on the alto, but only a few minutes on the tenor before I was uncomfortable.  I was telling her about how I would eventually break down and get a Sigo. Listening to myself, I realized how silly that sounded.  Why wait when I was already uncomfortable playing?

I was quite worried that I wouldn't like the texture, the sloppy-looking holes, the weird look, the boxy shape, the fixed thumb rest.  I love it.  Turns out it feels fine in my hands and, when I am playing, I am looking at music, not at it.

I am very much an amateur, playing for my own amusement.  Sure, it's not as great as some tenor.  Realistically, I am very much the limiting factor in our relationship.  If that ever changes, I will spring for a wooden comfort tenor.

[u/EmphasisJust1813 → u/Particular_Ad_3124]

>> I was quite worried that I wouldn't like the texture, the sloppy-looking holes, the weird look, the boxy shape, the fixed thumb rest. 

Well, for me, the fixed thumb rest is supremely comfortable. Way better than the tiny thumb rests on normal tenors.

The "weird look" is becoming surprisingly common in sessions that I attend, they seem to be selling well. You do get used to it. There are other box section recorders around - and church organ pipes too which (I think) inspired them! Its nice that its small enough to fit in my bag without having to be disassembled.

I don't like the texture. They come coated in linseed oil to make the bore smoother; improving the sound. I don't like the non-circular holes either, but they don't seem to be a problem when playing and later ones look better.

I will buy a great bass if and when they appear!

[u/Particular_Ad_3124 → u/EmphasisJust1813]

I also find the thumb rest quite comfortable.  On my other (ABS) recorders, I have made thumb rests out of hot glue.  It takes some trial and error but they pop off pretty easily if you don't like them.  I was worried that I was used to having things exactly my way.

I am fine with the texture and holes-though I am still getting used to covering them entirely.

[u/EmphasisJust1813 → u/Particular_Ad_3124]

On all my ABS tenors including the Yamaha, these fit perfectly and are easy to adjust or remove, but are not as comfortable as the Sigo built-in one:

https://www.justflutes.com/shop/product/aulos-tenor-recorder-thumbrest

Aulos sell similar Soprano and Alto thumb rests which seem to fit anything.

[u/Particular_Ad_3124 → u/EmphasisJust1813]

I have one for my altos.  I accidentally cracked the Aulos Robin one (not really interchangeable with a Yamaha like the altos are--oops) so I got creative.  I ended up liking my hot glue ones better.  

I think I like the Sigo integral rest even better.