Mouthpiece is too flat and wide and rests on the nose and chin preventing the lips engaging the opening. Mouthpiece is also too thick and doesn't enhance amplification of the vibrating lips. I undertook major reshaping of the mouthpiece, thinning it greatly inside and out, and it is now - ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT - better than a beeswax piece, due to the resonant nature of wood. It will also last forever and not need replacing every few weeks like a beeswax.