I have to take back my favorable review from before. After playing this for awhile I noticed that the sound breaks often on the higher register, and the headpiece seems to clog up very easily. I think the headpiece slot is too narrow and cramped on one side and there is some wood sharding inside the headpiece, which came this way new. I have now read similar complaints form other posters (which I should have read before -- I think all the glowing reports are either from shills or total beginner recorder players who mistake the fine finish for fine musical craftsmanship). What didn't this company turn out a precision instrument to begin with? And is it made in China or Germany -- it sure plays like it was made in China. Needless to say, I am very disappointed to spend thirty dollars on what doesn't even work properly and I will seek a refund. (By the way, I have played the recorder for fifty years and have a dozen plastic and wooden ones -- this is the only one clearly defective.)