Hello, I'm a newbie to the forum and recorder ... I just got mine from Musician's Friend ... I know you are not suppose to blow really hard into the recorder and I don't but I am having problems getting the middle C ... all holds covered ... sometimes it will play other times I get nothing but a high pitch squeal. I try to blow softer ... make sure the holds are covered, but I just get squeaking ... when I do hit the note I try it again the same way and it squeaks, and won't go for the note. What is wrong? Why can't I get middle C consistently? Thanks for reading my post ... and Happy Holidays!!!

Well sir ... looks like it was me and not the recorder with the problem ... my problem was with my fingering. If you don't have them perfectly over the holes you will get a squeaking noise ... very irritating ... I just had to keep repositioning my fingers until I got the right sound. Once I learned how my fingers are suppose to feel and look I got the consistent low C as it is called. So for all you folks out there with this problem look to your fingering, and blow gently ... although blowing wasn't my problem, but if you don't that will cause a squeaky sound too. I hope this helps other out there learning to play this instrument. Happy Holidays to one and all!!!

Yes, I was going to mention that you could play your low D - the one you could get easily enough - and then put the pinky finger down whilst still blowing and see what happens. But you seem to have solved the problem, so good for you! That low C can be pretty hard to blow, and different instruments can get it easier than others.