Aulos 209 B Robin Alto/Treble Recorder

This is a great alto recorder with great sound. I give the Aulos 5 stars if you have a large hand but if you have a small hand I give it 3 stars. It is an excellent recorder but if you have a small hand you need to read this review. I've been playing a soprano C recorder for several years now. I'm getting pretty good at it but am not a professional in any way, shape or form! I heard that the sound on the alto F recorder is much nicer than the soprano so I decided to buy the Aulos 309A alto recorder (available only through seller). According to all the reviews I read the two best recorders are either the Aulos or the Yamaha. In the end I decided to get the Aulos because most said the high notes were easier to get and that the sound quality was great. It is! The Aulos has a really great professional sound to it. I will NEVER go back to the soprano after hearing the alto.But none of the reviews I read said that the Aulos is actually longer than the Yamaha. And for me...this has made all the difference. Stretching as far as I can, from my index to my pinkie finger is exactly 5 inches wide (on my right hand).I really struggled trying to get a clear low F note on the Aulos (all holes covered). I could reach the holes but just barely. It was a struggle. So I decided to buy the Yamaha YRA-28B III alto recorder (available through amazon). When I measured both I found that the Yamaha is a ½ of an inch shorter in length than the Aulos. They are pretty much the same around but the Aulos is a little longer. I also measured the distance from the bottom two holes to the 4th hole up (holes that pinkie to index fingers cover on right hand) and found that the Yamaha is exactly a ¼ of an inch shorter in length than the Aulos. The Aulos is 5 ¼ inches and the Yamaha is exactly 5 inches. What a difference that shorter length between the holes makes! I have absolutely no problem covering all the holes and the low F note is much easier to get. And because I'm not struggling so hard to reach the holes I'm playing much better on the Yamaha than I did on the Aulos. So for anyone with a small hand like mine I definitely recommend the Yamaha over the Aulos.One thing in favor of the Aulos (besides the great sound)... The hole that you blow through at the top of the mouth piece is larger on the Aulos than on the Yamaha. The Aulos is ¾ inch wide and the Yamaha is ½ inch wide. That means that the breathing hole on the Aulos doesn't get clogged quite so soon as the Yamaha.

What a wonderful recorder! It has such a rich resonant sound to it in the lower registers and the higher registers are kind of whispy and lack the shrillness so many recorders have. This particular recorder has a breathy feel to it, and the notes feel softer and more rounded as opposed to sharp and sweet. It's in tune and just a joy to play. I've been playing it now for almost two years. I have several other recorders of different brands and this is the one I'm just always drawn to. I highly recommend!

This is amazing! It sounds great and is easy to play. As far as the finger holes they're barely more than an inch apart. A few maybe 1.25". I used my thumb to measure so it's only an approximation. An earlier reviewer stated he played the piano and the holes were too far apart. They're equivalent to one and a half piano keys I guess. More of a reach than the soprano for sure but not uncomfortable - at least to me. Very happy with this purchase. The bag is really nice and comes with a tiny container of grease (petroleum?) for the joints. It was also very well packed with plastic end caps. I've had a few disappointing purchases recently but this is a win. I knew if it's made in Japan it had to be good. :)

It came quick, I am a beginner player so it wasn't hard to start right away. It sounds like a plastic recorder, but the alto sound is so much nicer in my opinion. I'm pleased!

I bought this Alto (treble) recorder after my parents brought me my childhood recorder from 30+ years ago, and i have had so much fun with it! This size uses the same fingering as a soprano (descant) recorder, but plays in the key of F, rather than in C like the soprano. It's a little bit more difficult to get the lowest notes, you have to be more careful with your breath control, but it's equally as fun to play!

My first recorder and I love it. Good intonation, nice feel, and overall looks like a real instrument even though it is plastic. You can buy a cheaper recorder as a beginner, but why? This one isn't terribly expensive, and is of much better quality than the low-end toys most people start off with. It also comes with a decent bag and a fingering chart. Great buy.

I have quite a few Plastic Resin recorders, All of Yamaha Resin recorders Sopranino to Bass and every one in between Same with Aulos Everyone they make in all sizes, From Sopranino to Bass a few of each size, I have a Zen-On G1-A-440 Bressan alto, The Aulos A209 Robin, Should Not be Under estimated, as it ia very Good Sounding Quality instrument, that has Great Potential for very good sound, and can be Pushed to show very good expressive sounds, Lots of overtone potential. Really Love this Alto, for it ease of use and Playability. Cannot believe the Value for this instrument. It is equal to my Yamaha 312, 314, and my Aulos 500 symphony series, it is a great player, with Great Sound to match. I am Happy to have it to add to my collection.

nice quality but it is not an alto recorder in C. This is a transposing instrument. When you finger a note, the concert pitch is a 4th different.