Eastar Soprano Beginners Recorder Baroque fingering C Key Maple Descant Recorder Instrument for Kids Adults, 3 Piece Recorder With Hard Case, Fingering Chart, Cleaning Kit, ERS-31BM

Most of us learn to play recorder on inexpensive plastic instruments. There is nothing wrong with that. Frankly some them (such as Eastar's own) sound and play amazingly well. -Far better than the plastic instruments of not too many years ago. But that said, there is nothing like the sound and feel of a well crafted wooden recorder. -Especially when playing the lower notes which can come almost alive with a sonorous bottom and sweet overtones.The hold back for many players -- the thing that has kept them using plastic instruments -- frankly has been the cost. But to my (and I expect many player's) amazement, even that is changing. This Eastar is made from solid maple. You see it and feel it even before you hear it. And it is thing of beauty. And yet the cost is very reasonable.The Eastar ERS-31M comes in a nicely fitted case. A case that also holds a cleaning rod (provided) with a soft head and a small container of sealing and protecting lubricant for the cork used where the three parts of the recorder attach to one-another.Oh, and that brings to mind another nice feature of the Eastar... It is a three piece unit -- and its lower bout rotates allowing for custom placement of the lowest hole allowing for correct placement for those with shorter or longer little fingers. (Once set, however, the two lower parts can remain as one even when the recorder is taken apart for storage.)Tuning and pitch on my example seemed pretty close to "right on." Although that depends in part on the player's technique. And those used to plastic instruments may have to get the feel for this (and other) wooden ones to assure clear notes free of 'lisps' when playing down low.Eventually every serious player starts to feel ready to upgrade to a wooden instrument. Now with the Eastar ERS-31M cost need not be so much a factor.Highly recommended.

I had a cheapo school issued recorder back when i was still in school, it was the beginning of my enjoyment of woodwinds. However that was many years ago, and i never bothered to get another recorder since, but since then i have started playing with other types of woodwinds, and instruments. I purchased this piece as a nostalgia piece and wasn't, expecting too much from such a low price instrument.Well i have been thoroughly surprised and pleased with the performance of this piece. The packaging was nice, the carry case is nice, not the best, but still very practical.Now for the instrument, well I actually haven't been able to put it down, the sound is much better than what I remember from the high shrill of my childhood school recorder. I have been enjoying the versatility and ease of play from the instrument. The fact that the recorder can be taken down to 3 pieces for cleaning is nice as well. The wood used seems to to stabilized, giving it a plastic like feel, but the look of the natural grain and the heft of the wood, make for a better play experience than the old plastic thing I used back in the day.I would recommend this to any beginner or dabbler.

Nice finish and price on this maple soprano. In tune. No cork grease included.I will be oiling 2x's a year.

I know when you buy these cheap Chinese instruments you're taking a gamble, and for most people I would recommend a similarly priced Yahama or Aulos plastic recorder to get started on.I had recently purchased a pocket trumpet from Eastar to toy with, not expecting anything out of it, and was pleasantly surprised at how well it played, so I thought I'd take a shot with this recorder as I already have and am planning to learn on a Yamaha alto model.Surprisingly the recorder I received is well tuned. The wood feels fine and the woodworking itself is mostly quality. The inside of the recorder was a little rough with some loose woodchips that were easily brushed out but this implies there isn't a ton of quality control going on as you'd expect, so if you do decide to buy one keep in mind you might have to make a return if you get one from a bad batch.I however have been pleasantly surprised with Eastar both times I've purchased instruments for them. I only bought them for fun and while they of course would not hold up against serious instruments in a performance setting they're good enough for practice and I wouldn't be ashamed to play them casually for other people.All in all it's a very attractive wooden recorder with a nice case that plays very easily and sounds at least as good as plastic recorders in the same price range. Definitely worth the price tag which is virtually nothing for a wooden recorder. Although it has some kind of varnish on it I think it will improve with oiling.

Beautiful sound. Good fingering.