Supercorder!

2-1/2 Octave Fully Keyed Alto Recorder
with Strong Sound and In-Tune Dynamic Range



(Fully keyed ...with just seven keys, no complex linkages!)
Dual B, Bb key (R. index), R.H. keys to change E to Eb & D to Db (R. 2nd & 3rd), lowest F & F# keys (R. 4th), lowest G & E keys (L. 4th)

Note: Traditionally alto recorder is pitched in F but played with untransposed music.
In the transposed terms of most wind instruments these keys translate to:
Dual F#, F key (R. index), R.H. keys to change B to Bb & A to Ab (R. 2nd & 3rd), lowest C & C# keys (R. 4th), lowest D & B keys (L. 4th)

Latest version with more flexible right hand "thumb guide" feature instead of abrupt "thumb rest" is shown.




Supercorder evolved from 5 keys to 7, making better Eb & Db played by adding middle right hand fingers to E & D.
I also did a sideline two-key "Modern Alto" version.

The windway follows the curve of the bore instead of being undercut.
The 18mm wide lip allows stronger sound.
The shape of the beak, with the hole covered by the lip,
provides fine tuning for dynamic range, and pitch vibrato.

Another view.

Note, April 13th, 2025:

  The Supercorder, which I created and developed in 2003-2007, is too fabulous an instrument to be lost into forgotten history. People love the sound and I've played it in amateur concert bands and orchestras*, often in place of oboe when there wasn't one, sometimes flute. Usually without amplification as the sound is quite strong. An oboe player claimed it was louder than her oboe. This is an exaggeration.
   Given the opportunity lots of musicians would delight to play a supercorder, so for an ambitious craftsman there's a unique opportunity to make a career or business out of making them. And then composers will start putting them into their scores. I was no craftsman when I started. It came with effort and practice.

   I have been meaning for some years to create a new website about the Supercorder after the private website where it was originally hosted (saers.com) was completely changed for the owner's evolving purposes and most of the content including mine deleted. But in the press of newer things, I seem to never get around to it. It now occurs to me to start simply by heavily editing and reposting this original web page rather than trying to make a new one from scratch.
   I've removed sales info and so on as I no longer make them. (I made about 20. Thefts of special tools and wood in 2007 caused a break, and I was already into other things.) I'm deleting most of the info about 2 and 5 key versions as the full 7 key is "the real thing". Many of the links won't be active immediately. For example I plan to post the video files to CraigCarmichael.substack.com and link to there. And I'll have to hunt down most of the sound files from the old hard drive. I plan to write more about constructing them, with dimensions of the bore reamers and hole guide. I hope to add individual updates and links as I find the time.

* I've been asked, "Why only amateur groups? Wouldn't playing a Pro group better highlight the instrument?" I have played several instruments but I am not a pro or virtuoso player of any, even my own. And of course a professional group would rarely permit a substitute instrument.
Introduction
Supercorder is a new design of F-alto recorder with exceptionally strong and even sound power throughout all the notes of its extended chromatic range.
It is made easier to play by the Bb-B key* for the right index finger alone* that replaces these two worst forked fingerings with strong, well tuned tones and simplifies note sequences in every key. The finger covers the hole lightly for B and, without any other movement, presses down to also close the key for Bb and notes below.
Other keys (F-F# and E-G) on the two fourth fingers make the entire extended low range strong and even, with simple note transitions for all chromatics. A third pair of ring keys on the fully keyed model employs the middle right hand fingers to eliminate the last weaker 'forked' fingerings, C# and Eb. All the notes from G# up to E can be fingered the same in both octaves.
The pitch control hole covered by the player's sensitive lower lip provides the tune-by-ear finer pitch control of most modern wind instruments for flexible dynamic range and a lovely, expressive vibrato.
The voicing changer lever, operated by a slight twist of the playing position, makes low notes and lower forked notes more stable and stronger. It can also be used to flatten the pitch to eliminate sharpness when blowing quite loudly. The effect is akin to shading the window with the hand.
The Baroque Supercorder recorder is (was) a Baroque fingered F-alto recorder, equivalent to other 'modern' long-bore recorders but with the additional Supercorder features other than keys: the adjustable porcelain mouthpiece with a wider, smoother windway, built in thumbrest, pitch control hole and voicing adjuster lever.


* "Today I tried the new type of key for the B and B flat ~ invented by Craig Carmichael ~ on the Tarasov alto. I was really impressed by the ease and stability with which it works. A simple idea that really improves the sound as well. It gives the development of the "21st century" recorder many new possibilities."
Karel van Steenhoven, Amsterdam Loeki Stardust [Recorder] Quartet, March 16th, 2003

 
 
Supercorder General Advantages
Designed for Strong Sound with a wide crescent windway of smooth porcelain and a deep window, and a "modern" long bore profile
Strong, Best Tuned Notes and Easier Fingerings with Keys:
* low F# & G with the F/F# key pair
* B & Bb (both octaves) with index-finger-alone B-Bb key
* low E, G# & A with G/E key pair
* C# & D# (Db & Eb) with Db/Eb key pair
The 7-key "fully keyed" Supercorder replaces All weaker forked fingerings with strong, well-tuned notes.
Smooth, easy fine-tuning, in-tune dynamics p to ƒ, and lovely pitch-vibrato with natural-feel tuning-vibrato port, activated by lip
Voicing Adjuster improves playability and strength of lowest notes
Hygenic, non-allergenic porcelain mouthpieces that can be replaced
Near 3-octaves practical pitch range (extremes: low Eb to sopranino high G, chromatic: 41 notes, or 3 octaves and a major third.) (I've found that I can get a weak low D instead of Ebby sticking a little brass tube in the Eb tone hole. That's as low as a voice flute!
Built-in thumbrest (wood turning)
Hard Case included, to keep a fine, keyed instrument safe


There's more to a Supercorder than a typical alto recorder. It does more, but if you don't like the sounds of the items in the table below, perhaps Supercorder isn't for you:
 
Supercorder Feature Player Attention
Three screws under the porcelain beak adjust the windway position. Since the player is able to replace mouthpieces and adjust the windway position for best sound, there is no need to send the instrument out for revoicing. Player should be prepared to adjust the screws when necessary with a small screwdriver and check the sound, and repeat, until good sound and response is obtained.
Except for the Baroque model (Baroque fingered), there are new (mostly easier) fingerings with stronger, optimally tuned notes. Except on the Baroque model, new fingerings must be learned.
The fine-tuning port allows play-by-ear tuning as is common with most woodwind instruments, a lovely pitch-vibrato, and fade-out end notes without drop of pitch. Learning new lip-tuning technique and to adjust tuning at different dynamics. 
Supercorders are a unique new type of instrument. As such, they are hand-made and smaller details are still evolving. Until such a time as production becomes more standardized, players should be prepared to see some variation between units, and parts that may sometimes look a bit "homemade". (Ask for photos of a unit to be emailed to you if desired before ordering.)



 
  7-key Fully Keyed Supercorder replaces all weaker forked fingerings with easier keyed fingerings via two ring keys. Eb is the same as E but with right-hand 2 also pressed, and Db is as D but with right-hand 3, the same in both octaves. F#2, which is hard to get in tune on most recorders, is played well tuned as  o xoo oxoo. Normal lowest note is E, with a weaker Eb available by bell-stopping. Some very high note fingerings change, but more 3rd octave notes are added: E as  / xxo xxoo  is sharp and an alternate is preferred (/ xox xxoo or / xoo oooo), high F is played / xox xoxo, and third octave A (/ xoo oxxo) is often a bit sharp unless 2 is part-holed (/ x/o oxxo). For C and D, the keys are no help though arguably D, E and perhaps F are marginally stronger, but when Eb or Db is wanted, they're worth their more than their weight in nickel-silver, if not gold. Have you ever thought of middle F as a weak note? Well, now all the nearby notes are at least as loud!

Wood Options: The Role of Wood in Recorder Sound

 
Supercorder Shop Manual Page
Supercorder Sound & Video Samples


(from April 18, 2008): Video Clips illustrating the features of the Supercorder

New 2015/11: Recorders and Supercorder: Some Tips and Principles: Some recorder design notes for aspiring makers, general and Supercorder specific


Nicholas Chedeville: ChedevilleSonataGm.wav
Fully keyed Supercorder & Grand Piano, live recording July 2007.
Sound Sample of this instrument
(Presented with apologies for the lack of talent and poor recording quality.
These are more recent sound samples than those below with earlier designs and voicings.
SupercorderSample3.mp3
DynamicsSample.mp3

we now return you to the remnants of the original regularly scheduled web page that needs the overhaul...

Older Sound Samples<

Here are two samples of the prototype "Supercorder" playing duets with a violin. Both instruments were approximately equally distant from the recording microphone and equally amplified.
Sound Sample1:     MerryGoRound.wav     (in F)
View Score:     MerryGoRound.html or MerryGoRoundPg1.GIF & MerryGoRoundPg2.GIF
Sound Sample 2:     NauticalAir.wav     (G Major)
For other samples of the prototype playing, find the "Superrecorder" samples on my MP3s page, CraigsSoundFiles.html, which includes the alto supercorder in all the works other than The Highwayman suite. (The Modern Alto recorder in Highwayman has some of the supercorder improvements.)
Here is a sound sample of one of my first actual supercorders: SupercorderSample1.MP3
Here is a quick preliminary sound sample of a finished supercorder: SupercorderSample2.mp3 .
Here are some samples of the same supercorder playing some of my trios with a violin and a bassoon.
SeaShanty.mp3
MarshMarch.mp3
OnTheMountainside.mp3
Here are some duet bits with the pictured Supercorder and the Bassoon.
DuetSample1.mp3<
DuetSample1.mp3
 
Playing Supercorder
Supercorder has a few fingering differences, mostly easier, with its keys on 3 fingers. All chromatic notes up to and beyond C4 (in fact, to G4 - same as sopranino - is usual) are available, without bell stopping. Second octave B to C# becomes a single finger transition. Many notes are stronger and better tuned. (Low Eb1 is available by fingering low-E and bell-stopping.)
The expressive vibrato and the ability to play softly in-tune are easily practiced. For vibrato, the flute is essentially 'shaken' up and down, making held notes attractive.
The player will also soon notice that low notes are less "fragile" - they can be tongued more sharply and blown hard with good tone and without overblowing.

Supercorder Fingerings
SYMBOLS USED
o = open hole or key
x = closed hole or key
 / = part-holed (usually thumb)
* = closed, open or part-holed: sometimes little difference, or one may work or be tuned best.
4th left finger ("8"): e = e & g key pressed (straight finger); g = g key pressed (curved finger); If "e" key is closed, "g" key is also closed.
1st right finger: b: B "pipe" tonehole lightly covered; x: press harder to close Bb key as well
4th right finger: f: F# key pressed (straight finger); x: both keys pressed (curved finger); If "f" key is closed, "f#" key is also closed.
 
    t 1238 4567    (where 8 = left 4th finger)
eg  x xxo oooo  - D

7-key Model  (alt. or trill fingerings follow usual one)

D1 x xxxe xxxx b t  (b: bell stopped on leg; t: 'low D' brass tube in low Eb tonehole)
Eb x xxxe xxxx b    (b: bell stopped on leg)
E   x xxxe xxxx

F1 x xxxg xxxx
F# x xxxg xxxf
G   x xxxg xxxo
G# x xxx  xxxo
A   x xxx  xxoo
Bb x xxx  xooo
B   x xxx  booo        (b: B "pipe" tonehole lightly covered without pressing key down)
C2 x xxx  oooo
C# x xxo  ooxo
D   x xxo  oooo
Eb  x xoo  oxoo
E    x xoo  oooo    x ox*  booo (*: trill to F)

F2  x oxo  oooo    x oxxg xxxx
F#  o xoo  oxoo   x ooo   oooo   x oxxg xxxf
G   o oxo  oooo    * xxxg  xxxo    x oxxg xxxo (alts: trill to Ab or A)
G#  * xxx  xxxo    x oxx xxxo    (*: t may be be o or /)
A    * *xx  xxoo
Bb  * xxx  xooo        (* - t o or /)
B    / xxx  booo
C3  / xxx  oooo
C#  / xxo  ooxo
D    / xxo  oooo
Eb  / xoo  oxoo
E    / xoo  xxxo    / xoo  oooo

F3   / xox  xoxo   / xox xooo
F#  / oxx  xooo
G    / oxx  oooo   / oxx  ooox
G#  / oxx  oxxo   / oxxg ooxo
A    / xoo  oxxo
Bb  / xxo  xxox
B    / xox  boox  (Notes above about here start getting quite noisy, unreliable and touchy - not to say "unplayable")
C4  / xoxg ooxo   / xoxg oooo   / xox boxo
C#  / xox  ooxx
D    / x/xe oxof
Eb   / /x/e oxox
E    / x/xe ooxf

F4  / x/xe ooof
F#  / x//g oxox
G4  / x//e xxox

These fingerings do not entirely exhaust the possibilities.

While the notes are fairly strong and even, there are a few combinations by covering low right hand holes which further increase the volume of some for when maximum output is wanted. (I often used them in concert band on held notes.)

C1  x xxx ooox
C# x xxo ooxx
D   x xxog oooo   / x xxo ooox
E   x xoog ooox
F   x oxog ooox



Carmichael Music - Index Page
November 20th, 2003.
Last Updated: June 20th, 2005
Sept 22 2005: tables, photos, wood
Sept 28 2005: added fingerings & caveat table.
April 13th 2025: big revision, reposted to TurquoiseEnergy.neocities.com