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Yamaha YRA-28B Alto Recorder, Key of F
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$19.99$19.99
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| Brand | Yamaha |
| Instrument Key | F |
| Material | Plastic |
| Item Weight | 0.53 Grams |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 0.8 x 11.9 x 2 inches |
About this item
- Key of F
- Baroque fingering
- Double holes
- Three piece construction
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From the manufacturer
Yamaha Alto Recorders
Alto recorders produce a rich, warm sound that's perfect as a solo instrument or with an ensemble.
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Start with great soundYamaha has been building musical instruments for more than 130 years, so we know what it takes to make a great sound. Our alto recorders produce a classic tone that's pure and in tune across the whole instrument. |
Models for every playerWhether you're experienced or a beginner, there's a model for you. The YRA-28B is intended for beginners with a design that makes it easy to produce a sound. The 300 and 400 series models give advanced players more control over their tone. |
Durable and safeYamaha plastic recorders are built to last for years of reliable use. All models are BPA-free and meet strict international safety standards. They can even be washed with regular soap and water, so keeping them clean is easy. |
Choose your finishWant the durability of plastic but the look of wood? The YRA-312B and YRA-314B have simulated wood-grain exteriors that look remarkably like real rosewood or ebony. For something different, the YRA-402B has a unique goldenrod color that really stands out. |
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| YRA-28B | YRA-302B | YRA-312B | YRA-314B | YRA-402B | |
| Finish | Natural/Ivory | Dark Brown | Simulated Rosewood | Simulated Ebony | Goldenrod |
| Key | F | F | F | F | F |
| Windway | Straight | Arched | Arched | Arched | Arched |
| Player Level | Beginner | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced |
| Bag | Zippered cotton | Zippered cotton | Zippered cotton | Zippered cotton | Zippered cotton |
| Accessories Included | Cleaning rod, recorder cream, fingering chart | Cleaning rod, recorder cream, fingering chart | Cleaning rod, recorder cream, fingering chart | Cleaning rod, recorder cream, fingering chart | Cleaning rod, recorder cream, fingering chart |
| Material | ABS plastic | ABS plastic | ABS plastic | ABS plastic | Ecodear plastic |
What's in a Windway?
The windway is the opening at the top of a recorder that you blow into. The shape of this opening is very important to the way the recorder plays and feels. Yamaha offers two different styles:
- A straight windway is easy to play with very light air, and produces a soft and pure tone. This is typically preferred for beginners, and is found on the YRA-28B.
- An arched windway gives more blowing resistance than a straight windway. This added resistance gives more experienced players better breath control which allows greater tonal expression and projection. Yamaha 300 and 400 series alto recorders use arched windways.
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Yamaha YRA-28B Alto Recorder, Key of F
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Yamaha YRS-24B Plastic Soprano Recorder, Natural
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Yamaha YRA-312B Alto Recorder, simulated Rosewood finish, Key of F
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Yamaha YRS-302B Soprano Recorder, Baroque fingering, Key of C
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Yamaha YRA-302B Alto Recorder, smooth brown finish, key of F
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Yamaha YRT-304B Tenor Recorder, Key of C , Black
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| Customer Rating | 4.7 out of 5 stars (507) | 4.7 out of 5 stars (18318) | 4.6 out of 5 stars (401) | 4.7 out of 5 stars (564) | 4.6 out of 5 stars (359) | 4.6 out of 5 stars (429) |
| Price | $19.99$19.99 | $5.99$5.99 | $36.53$36.53 | $19.48$19.48 | $31.26$31.26 | $64.88$64.88 |
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Brook Mays | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| Instrument Key | F | C | F | C | F | C |
| Item Dimensions | 0.8 x 11.9 x 2 inches | 12.88 x 1 x 1 inches | 11 x 2 x 3 inches | 0.9 x 14.5 x 2 inches | 2 x 2 x 14 inches | 2 x 2 x 14 inches |
Product description
The Yamaha YRA-28B alto recorder in the key of F has a beautiful tone that plays with a rich expressive sound throughout its registers. The straight rectangular airway makes it easy to play even for a beginner, while the 3-piece body comes apart for easy cleaning. Made from durable and safe ABS plastic, so you know it will last for many years.
Product information
| Item Weight | 0.019 ounces |
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| Product Dimensions | 0.8 x 11.9 x 2 inches |
| Domestic Shipping | Item can be shipped within U.S. |
| International Shipping | This item is not eligible for international shipping. Learn More |
| Country of Origin | Indonesia |
| ASIN | B000FJ1NWA |
| Item model number | YRA-28B |
| Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank |
#4,032 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
#20 in Recorders (Musical Instruments) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | July 16, 2004 |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Instrument Key | F |
| Proficiency Level | Beginner |
Warranty & Support
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Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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First, this is not some cheapy, thin plastic recorder. This recorder is made from the same stuff the more expensive Yamaha plastic recorders are made from (not including the Ecodear). It is heavy plastic - very solid.
This is not a child's toy. This is a quality instrument. It is top notch construction just like the others.
It looks much better than the picture, too. It is not white - it is a cream color. Very nice looking. In fact, I like the looks of it better than the brown.
It comes in a nice blue bag with a fingering chart, a cleaning rod, and some recorder grease. Don't throw the plastic covers and joiners away! Use them when you dismantle the recorder and put it back in its bag.
I do notice less air resistance in this one compared to the others. That is good. It is what I was looking for.
As to reach, it is a little hard for my small hands (no different from the other Yamahas, though). The third hole from the top is offset ever so slightly and that is good. My problem is reaching the bottom holes with the right hand. The foot of the recorder can be turned and that helps. It also helps not the have a death grip on the recorder and I will relax some soon! I also think the more I play the easier my reach with be as my hands adjust.
I am very pleased with the recorder!
By now, I have purchased enough Yamaha recorders that I can make some general observations about the differences between Yamaha's 20 line and their 300 line:
- the designs are noticeably different, both cosmetically and in terms of construction. Most differences concern the mouthpiece: its shape and its internal assembly. By contrast, all the 300 and 400 series recorders share the same design and they only differ in materials.
- the instruments in the 20 line tend to have a less polished sound, which can sometimes make them an interesting variation to the 300 series. The 300 series has a clearer, more refined sound.
- the instruments in the 20 line tend to be more demanding on the embouchure and air flow control. With the 300 line you can vary air flow with less impact on sound quality.
The YRN-28BIII comes with a fingering chart, warranty information, a plastic cleaning rod, and a small joint grease plastic container inside a thick cloth bag that is separated in 2 compartments - one for the middle joint and one for the mouthpiece and foot joint. My copy is made in Japan. The joint grease container is small, but it should last a long time. I wish I also had a cloth bag to store the recorder in assembled form, because I don't intend to travel with it and I'd like to avoid taking it apart. However, this seems to be the standard packaging of Alto recorders and it does make for a compact package. Speaking of which, when disassembled, the recorder joints are protected by 3 pieces of white plastic: you should take care not to lose those.
The 28BIII is a very nice instrument. I really like the look of its cream plastic. It doesn't show fingerprints as easily as the dark brown models and it's nice to the touch as well. It has a great sound tone too, but it requires care with the low notes, which are rather easy to overblow. The 302BIII has a brighter tone and is slightly more resistant to overblowing the low notes, but overall, I find it hard to express a preference between the two. This Alto recorder is a good example of a 20 series model that is worth owning along a 300 series one (or maybe even instead of). The 28BIII has a kind of hollower, broader sound, whereas the 302BIII has a brighter, more focused sound.
Some people are also concerned about the size of an Alto and whether they can stretch their fingers enough. I found it challenging too initially, but after buying a Tenor recorder and really stretching my hands over its holes, I now find it comfortable to switch over to the Alto. Another advantage of having several members of the recorder family to practice with! It takes a different type of finger positioning than on the smaller instruments; I find that I need to keep my thumb lower on the larger instruments, but I believe that with practice almost anyone should be able to play an Alto.
[UPDATE after > 1year]: I still think this is a great instrument and that it compares nicely against the 302B higher end model. I am also comfortable now with its size and, along with the Soprano models, I find these two to be the most comfortable versions to play. The most challenging models are the Garklein and the Tenor, at opposite ends: the holes of the Garklein are too close and those of the Tenor too far. If you're interested in exploring the recorder family beyond its Soprano member, then I recommend this Alto.
I've been playing penny whistle for fun. After getting this recorder and learning how to use it, I now find penny whistle frustratingly limiting. The range of music you can play on recorder vs penny whistle is vastly higher. All those sharps and flats, easy to reach. Play in a very large number of keys, easily, vs penny whistle typically gives you maybe two keys easily.
This particular recorder feels very solid and well made. I like the weight of it. I never notice it being too heavy nor too light as I play it - I don't even think of its weight as I play it - I simply naturally find myself enjoying the feel of it in my hands.
I very much enjoy the sound quality in the upper two thirds or so of the lower octave, and find the sound quality in the lower two thirds of the upper octave very pleasant (but the upper portion of the lower octave is the most beautiful to my ear).
Lowest notes are limiting, at least for me: It might be a fault with me as the player, or with me not having bothered to apply the lubricating grease that came with it, or perhaps somehow due to me never formally cleaning the instrument (although I look inside it from time to time, and it looks clean), but for some reason, I find the lowest notes difficult to play with pleasant tone at volume. I can play them very quietly with pleasant tone most of the time. But I was expecting rich, clear, reverberating lowest notes at decent volume, instead of very quiet to get decent tone. Again, the recorder might be well capable of it and me be at fault for this - I don't know.
I greatly enjoy playing this instrument, and have come to a deep appreciation of the recorder as a technology. The different ways you can finger to get the same note, allowing selection of most appropriate fingering for whatever note you're going to play next (or you've just played). (Contrast the penny whistle.) The clean, clear sounds (contrast the distinctive penny whistle breath-y tone, which has its own charm, but it's nice to be able to play something _without_ that breath-iness). The almost effortless production of notes and tunes that I enjoy playing and hearing myself play.
Also, I love how wonderfully well this comes packaged. There is a case (a good one), and end caps, that allow the recorder to be broken down to approx half its length for travel or storage, and protected very well while doing so. Most of the time, the recorder sits on one of my desks, and I pick it up often a dozen or more times in a day and enjoy tooting out a little tune for a minute or a few. But when I travel, I can take it with me, without its assembled length being a problem.
Top reviews from other countries
Accessories are a zipper fabric ‘protection case’ along with a fingering chart, tub of joint lube - which is obviously vaseline ! - a plastic cleaning rod, joint protection spacers and a contact list of Yamaha global head offices.
Dropped a star cos it clogs quite easily which can affect sound quality, but that’s what you have to expect with plastic and for this price range. More expensive ones are more refined and don’t clog so easily, neither do the wooden ones; but bear in mind wood is harder to clean. If it’s an issue for you and you need to play reliably for longer periods of time, then it’s best to spend double this price at least.
I’m happy enough with mine though, as it goes the distance for me before clogging (about half an hour) and serves its purpose. Comfortable for a teenager/adult to hold with an average to small handspan and easy enough to get your fingers around. I originally learned recorder in the typical key of C and this starts in F but it was surprisingly easy to make the adjustment AND I much prefer the Alto to those squeaky school Sopranos!!
Build quality is also excellent, it feels good to hold in your hands.












