NOVICA Handcrafted Wood Andean Quena Flute with Carrying Case, Peace Flute'

What drew me immediately to this instrument was the price point. I'm always hungry to play new instruments so. needless to say, the quena popped up on my radar. I notice there is a few complaints for this instrument and I think this is coming from some people that dont realize how difficult it is to play the quena. The proper positioning for your lips and breath is a narrow window and it requires lots of patience to figure out. Slight movements will disrupt the "embouchure" required to play the correct tone. For these reasons, I dont think its a good instrument for any, but the most patient of, small children. Its a very sensitive instrument. I would say it took roughly 3 hours of practice to find the embouchure and discover the resonance of the instrument. After around 6 hours practice I was able to play a simple song. Keep in mind I play lots of different instruments so this might not be common with other players. Once you get going, It is a pleasant and haunting sound.As for the craftsmanship, the flute did begin to immediately start cracking, but I think this is just the wood settling. It has not seemed to effect the sound or playability of the instrument. It was freshly lacquered, glisteningly shiny out of the package, but much of the decorative artwork started cracking within the first few hours. I would say that if you want it for decorative purposes than I recommend not playing it at all. I'm not sure how long the flute will survive with heavy use. However, for a 50 dollar instrument this is really not expected to be a lifetime instrument.After playing it, I realize that I like the sound of a quenacho a bit better which is simply just a larger, deeper version of the quena that is tuned lower. The quena is a small flute with a high pitch, but it is quite soothing of a sound.

Christmas gift for my 4 yr old grandson. It was a hit - with kids and adults! It’s a great indoor game when the weather is bad.

I received this very beautiful piece of artistic flute just in time and I am very pleased that I ordered one because I have never seen one like this before. This work of art is very impressive. I am impressed with the story of Dionisio Quilla , a professional artist from PERU. I am very glad to be able to contribute for the benefit of the INCA empire and I am very interested in the history of this group of people. I am trying my best to be able to learn how to play this flute. I have been playing a bamboo flute from the Philippines for quite sometime, because I was born in the PHILIPPINES. However I am now an AMERICAN citizen and retired in the USA F. Thank you for asking me to review the NOVICA Quena flute. I certainly would recommend this to everyone. PERCIVAL GUERRERO PASCUA, M.D, Topeka, Kansas.

Playing music and it started cracking in less than a month

This is a flute, not a recorder in that you have to know proper mouth positioning in order to play it. I have not been able to even make a sound and it does not really come with instructions. If you cannot play a wind instrument or have someone close to teach you...don't purchase. It is beautifully made but if you can't already play a flute...make another choice. Very disappointed