Yamaha Clarinet

The YCL-250S is a superb model that provides excellent tone quality and is easy to play. With an ABS body, the 250 is durable (making it very suitable for beginners and younger children who may not have the knowledge to care for a wooden instrument). The plastic construction is also useful for those who do not want or do not have the time to spend on care of a wooden instrument. The ABS body comes with a wood-effect satin finish. I am taking my grade 8 exam this summer (2007) and will be using this model as it a very responsive instrument which complements my style of playing. With a suggested ... more

Buying a yamaha clarinet as a starter model has the distinct advantage of having a well-known brand name which has stood the test of time. Choosing an instrument is costly at the best of times, but you want to pick a clarinet that fulfils the basic functions of music-making, while also being the kind of sought after instrument, that if your child decides to chuck it in after two terms, you can sell it on with relative ease. I have been playing the clarinet since I was eight (am 25 now) and the yamaha served my purpose very well until I reached grade five. As with most instruments, the quality ... more

I began playing the clarinet when I was 11 years old..my school music dept had weekly half hour lessons, 2 people at each session. If you decide to go for it I would reccomend at least an hours individual tuition in order to make any significant progress. It can be a very tricky instrument to master, especially to get any sound out at all initially until you strengthen your embouchure (mouth muscles), and you will find that the first sounds you make are horrendous screechings, and these will pop into any playing you do! At first I had a school 'loan' instrument, but when I had convinced my ... more

I am normally a flautist, but have been learning the clarinet as a second instrument. I recently decided to upgrade from a slightly battered 2nd hand instrument to something a bit "nicer". The local music shop had a huge selection of different brands of clarinet. the student ones vary tremendously in price and quality, so I tried them all. My original choice was a well known european brand. Unfortunately, it was pretty awful. the trim on the bottom was loose and the key-work was bent in the wrong places. Needless to say, I took it back to the shop for an exchange. They offered me a number of ... more