Eastar Soprano Beginners Recorder Baroque fingering C Key Maple Descant Recorder Instrument for Kids Adults 3 Piece Recorder

I play the recorder and a few other instruments. I oiled it with sweet almond oil before playing. I recommend googling instructions. for oiling a wooden recorder. It's really nice playing a wood recorder. Read more

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. Read more

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. Read more

UPDATE: Plays in tune and the hiss, that was once heard in the second octive is gone. I do not know how. Perhaps the wood just needed time, but this plays better than when I first bought it. I hadn't picked it up in a while and decided to give it another test run. It doesn't play sharp. All the notes are in tune. It sounds beautiful. It's not refined, but it's clean, clear, in tune, and a pleasure to play. It has good volume. I need to break it in slowly- but WOW! I enjoy playing this instrument again. Happy I kept it safe in its original protective case. 😃 ❤️ 🎶 ORIGINAL REVIEW: Now I can only give 3 stars because there is a hissing sound (like gas leaking) in the second octive, and it is a semitone sharp. You will have to adjust with softer air, (but the recorder is in tune with itself). The sound improves with regular care and oiling twice a year, depending on how often you practice. I thought this was good for me because I was not sure I was ready for the responsibility of a wooden recorder. If I messed this one up, it would not be the end of the world, and it's still in very good condition.Also it has been 3 years; perhaps there's been improvements to the instrument since my purchase. This recorder was the first instrument I have bought from the Eastar company. I have purchased 3 other instruments from Eastar since. All and all, I don't regret my purchase. It would be nice if Eastar made an alto recorder too. Read more