Yamaha Clarinet

Advantages: Durable, responsive, affordable, good tone quality.
Disadvantages: Screws can work loose on a regular basis.

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 ...
...this model as it a very responsive instrument which complements my style of playing. With a suggested selling price of £419, it is well within the reach of those buying their first instrument, either for themselves of a child. This model is also a good alternative to the expensive wooden models for those who only play as a hobby and have not got the money to use. One problem I have encountered is that a couple of the screws work themselves loose ... Read review

Advantages: Popular, well made
Disadvantages: Short term

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 ...
...the yamaha served my purpose very well until I reached grade five. As with most instruments, the quality of sound rests largely with the player. As most of us don't start playing demi-semi quavers when we first start to learn, buying a bells and whistles state of the art model is not going to be an instant requirement. Packed tidily into a nice sturdy case, with a compartment to put the basics: cleaner, cork grease, a few spare reeds it will handle ... Read review

Advantages: nge of music, chamber to Jazz.
Disadvantages: r the high notes are a beggar!

...she bought me a little Yamaha Clarinet for £250, it was the cheapest one in 1983! Reeds cost £1.50 back then and I think they are a similiar price today, I would get a 1 1/2 reed at first (soft, easy to blow) and move on to a number 2 when you are more accomplished. I learnt to play using "A Tune A Day" books, which take you through step-by-step and note-by-note, with a 'tune' to play at each stage, I found the lower and mid octaves easy to master, ...
...being a beginner all over again, you struggle to get the notes out and the keying becomes a bit more complicated...this was the stage where I began to lose interest.......I got my Grade 4...left school and the School Band behind...but I can still play 'Stranger on the Shore'........15 years later!! ... Read review

Advantages: Good quality student clarinet
Disadvantages: expensive but worth it

...a number of alternatives. The Yamaha model stood out from the rest. Yamaha are well known for the quality of their musical instruments anyway. Having owned the Yamaha YCL 250 for a month or so, I can say that I am truely impressed. This model costs about £399, which is not expensive in comparison to other brands. It is made of black plastic like other student clarinets. This makes it easier and lighter for children to handle. A more experienced player ...
...the best sound. However, the Yamaha mouthpiece is rather good. I examined the corking and pads. These are of excellent quality and should last quite some time. The case is made of hard plastic with a velvet interior which is pretty standard. it is easy and light to carry. Yamaha instruments have another advantage. If you ever decide to get rid of your instrument for whatever reason, a Yamaha holds its money well and is easy to sell on. In short, ... Read review