Leeneia,
thanks for the recorder advice. I'm probably blowing the recorder like, well, a pennywhistle! which of course doesn't take much breath at all to overblow into the next octave. I'll try the Hohner with more concentrated breath.

yes, it probably needs oiling as well. couldn't hurt. I live in the desert where the average humidity hovers around 10 percent or so.

it came with care instructions which I will check for more advice.

I'm learning a few medieval tunes on it which are really fun (and appropriate!)

But I still love my pennywhistles! Yea!

Wyllow :)