All my recorders have double holes. I find the C#/Db and D#/Eb on the C recorders (and the corresponding notes on the F recorders) difficult to finger. Penny-whistles also require half-holing (depending on what you play), and I find it to be possible, but not easy. In my opinion, as someone who hasn't been playing these instruments very long, the best solution is recorders, whistles, or flutes in general in different keys. Then one can figure out which is the best for a particular purpose. I think the limitation to C and F in commonly available recorders is a disadvantage; the situation with harmonicas is much better. There was an accordeon festival here in Germany not too long ago, called "The Accordeonale", I believe, and there was a Rumanian accordeonist who played a diatonic accordeon. She was _great_. One of these days, I'll have to try to find her name.
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