Alto Recorders

The alto recorder in F sounds lower than the soprano and often carries the middle voice in a chamber ensemble. Its larger body changes both finger spacing and the amount of air required, so check your reach to the lower holes before choosing. If you are switching from soprano, you must learn a new basic fingering system.

Baroque fingering is common on the alto

The Baroque system is most commonly used in advanced tuition and early music. Do not buy a German-fingering model merely because you know it from school; your tutor book and ensemble may require different fingerings. You can find the entire family among recorders, while the soprano recorder remains a separate higher voice.

Plastic is more forgiving for daily practice

A plastic alto withstands moisture reliably and is easy to dry, making it practical when you first move to a larger instrument. A wooden model requires gradual playing-in, breaks and care appropriate to the type of wood. With both, check that the joints are airtight and intonation is even in the lower register.

Your right little finger must not be strained

The lower notes require you to cover the more distant holes precisely. If your hand cannot reach without twisting your wrist, an ergonomic model or a key can help. After playing, take the instrument apart, swab out the moisture and let the wood dry outside the closed case.

Choose an alto according to your ensemble's fingering system, your hand span and the maintenance regime, not according to its colour or decorative finish.