Customer Reviews

Yamaha YRA-312B Alto Recorder, Key of F

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

 

 

Excellent product; the Yamaha 300 series of recorders are the best quality and finest tone plastic recorders I've had experience with (I own the soprano, alto, tenor and bass). A very rich and solid tone in this one compared to other brands I have tried, particularly in the upper octave. I would recommend them for anyone at any level (particularly with the excellent deals you can get for them online, it is a worthwhile purchase for even a beginner). I have owned mine for ~1 and 1/2 years (my sister has owned one for ~7) and used it in a series of recorder quartets for the holidays (some of which we recorded, and the tone was more than sufficient for that). The one caveat is that the mouthpiece tends to become clogged after longer periods of playing (though this happens to some degree in all the recorders I've played, barring soprano).

simulated redwood finish is beautiful. plays smoothly with nice tone quality.

As a middle aged adult, I wanted something that I could learn to read music with. I needed an instrument that was neither some child's beginner toy, nor some pricey professional grade tool that might not get much use from me. After a few false starts, I bought this Yamaha Alto Recorder and am immensely pleased not only with how easy it's made the learning curve, but with the mellow sounds it produces. Unlike the soprano version, which I also have, that is much cheaper, the Alto version is richer, mellower and much easier to listen to whether one is practicing on it or listening to someone else practice on it. Highly recommended. Easy to learn. Easy to clean. Easy to travel with.

This recorder uses the Baroque (not German) Fingering convention widely used in most countries esp the commonwealth.

+: Produces beautiful warm sonorous tones ... reliable intonation and highly responsive - a joy to play ++ much more.
Easy to maintain - washable. Durable. High standards of manufacture guarantee consistent homogeneous quality between each instrument - you can be confident what
you are purchasing. Selection becomes a non issue. Losses can be replaced by simply purchasing another one and you will know that you will be purchasing similar
performance capability. Professional quality made affordable to the masses.

-: Does clog somewhat after extended play but the instrument can be prepped beforehand with anti-clog solution available from recorder specialist. This was provided
to me when I purchased the YRT 304B but I haven't used it yet.

I am very happy with my purchase of the Yamaha YRS, YRA 314B and 316B (yes I purchased all four) which I think is at par with branded wooden recorders 6-10 times the price. A great second instrument or spare for travelling.

I can personally attest that it is true that the simulated woodgrain finish versions YRA 314 & 316 (strangely enough) produce a superior tone to the normal ABS resin finish 302 model - perhaps this is due to the outer coating that resonates better. For not a lot more, the simulated wood-grain version IS well-worth paying for.

YRA 312B in simulated Rosewood has a rich warm reddish brown colour whilst YRA 314B in simulated Ebony is a quieter yellow brown - both with attractive printed woodgrain finish.

Yamaha did a real service to the world by making this attractive gem so affordable.

Very good sound quality. This is not a concert graded instrument but it's not priced like one either. I can hit the high notes and low notes easily and I am no expert. The previous recorder I used was my son's soprano by Angel left over from school class. (does every 4th grader has a recorder ? how many of those gets trashed after the school year ?)
Spent around 30 hours on youtube and following the finger chart the recorder is quickly becoming one of my favorite instrument.
Compliant : the air chamber gets clogged quickly, clearing the chamber is often required, making this an un-reliable instrument for concert. But for self enjoyment it's perfectly fine.

A fine tone for the price, as well as quality construction and fit. The simulated wood-grain finish is also attractive. It comes with a rugged cloth zip case, fingering chart, cleaning rod, and tiny container of recorder cream (a lubricant for fitting the recorder's three sections together). A plastic thumb rest, sold separately, is recommended to help balance the instrument while playing.

The one major downside to this recorder is that the windway clogs often and easily, a virtually nonexistent problem with my Aulos plastic sopranino and Hohner wood soprano.

I'm just a beginner musician at 55, but I have learnt enough to know a very nicely sounding recorder & my music tutor also thinks it sounds great for what it is.
I received it before the estimated time & it was more then I hoped for. I have bought from this seller before & have been happy with the product & service both times.

I have the Yamaha alto recorder that isn't rosewood looking, so I bought this one because the price isn't bad and it's fun to play duets and such. This recorder is amazing! The looks alone are worth the few extra dollars! The sound is probably the exact same as the other one, but I love how it looks and feels so much that I play better when I'm playing it. This is a must-have for any recorder enthusiast!

I don't know why this model is listed under two different entries. Please see my review under the simulated rosewood alto Yamaha 300 series recorder.