Customer Reviews

Yamaha YRA-302B Alto Recorder Key of F

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been playing recorders for 40+ years and have recorded 2 CDs using the Yamaha 300 series recorders. I own and play all the recorders in this series - SN,S,A,T,B. These recorders respond and sound like the finest wooden recorders. They are perfectly in tune with themselves, other sized recorders in this series and other instruments. They have a lovely tone quality. The upper instruments - SN,S and A - have a reedy quality and the lower instruments - T and B - have a haunting hollow tone quality. You can't go wrong with any of the fine recorders in this series. Good luck and happy playing!

To my ears this instrument sounds almost as well as some of the pro wooden ones I've heard on recorder music CDs. I second many people's opinion that Yamaha's are the best plastic recorders out there.
My only gripe about plastic recorders in general (including this one) is that moisture droplets quickly accumulate on the surface of the windway and start distorting the sound. This is especially true for the notes in the lowest and highest parts of the range. I find it hard to practice for more that 10-15 minutes before I have to dry up the instrument. I think, periodically switching between two recorders might address this.

The windway of this instrument is quite narrow. So, saliva from your mouth will always clog it. Moreover, the breath pressure you should apply to this instrument is so marginal, so low that at begining you won't be able to produce nice sound on this recorder. Maybe try plastic Aulos, the ones I tried don't have clogging problems and they are more tolerable of regular breath pressure. Better yet buy yourserf wooden Moeck recorder.

I've had my YRA-302B for years, and find it to be hands down the best recorder for the money. True, moisture builds up quicker than with a wooden recorder, but the sound easily beats out other plastic recorders. The amount of breath control needed is considereable, but this is actually a good thing. One can get into bad habits with a recorder that allows a hard blow, and recorders that allow hard blows tend to have worse tone.

So yes, it'll take some practice to avoid shrieking on it, but trust me, the rewards will be great, because that same sensitivity allows one to do modifications of tone. The YRA-302B is a recorder that you can make talk, and it's not gaggingly expensive!

A very good value. My purpose was to provide an alternative to spare my wooden Moeck recorder when rehearsing or performing for long periods of time. The Yamaha has pretty good tone, stays on pitch, can produce both the highest and the lowest notes with ease and has wonderful endurance. Plus, it is light weight, travels well.

I am no expert but I can tell you that the instrument is spot on when it comes to tuning and intonation. The curved windway tends to clog easily but that is a minor annoyance. Sound is full and much more pleasant than a soprano recorder. Comes with cleaning rod and cream. I like it a lot!

My ten year old fell in love with the recorder so as an incentive to continue doing well - my 14 year old promised to buy him a nicer recorder. This alto recorder is wonderful and he loves it.

I ordered this item off of amazon and got it shipped to Australia. Cost me in total with shipping 35.7 AUD.
The image shown with this product is not accurate. I was actually hoping it would be different. It is actually YRA-302BIII that shipped and it has a cool Yamaha tuning fork logo on the mouth piece which looks way better than the image shown with this product. Also it is not black but very dark brown and looks cool in sunlight. Enjoy!

This Yamaha-302B Alto Recorder Key of F arrived in a timely manor, well packaged. I have yet to play this instrument, but I suspect it will be fine. Reasonably priced.

Wow!!!This thing is HUGE!! I have long fingers and even still it's a strech. If you have small fingers, don't waist your money, you won't be able to play it without a small miracle from above. But, it has a richer tone than the soprano ones.