Ed's Music Articles | The Yamaha Saxophone – Alto or Tenor?

The Yamaha Saxophone – Alto or Tenor?

Nowadays Yamaha is associated with the manufacture of everything from robots to motor bikes, what most people don’t actually know is that the company was set up primarily as a manufacturer of musical instruments way back in 1887. If you’re considering purchasing a Yamaha Saxophone then this article will tell you everything you need to know about the different models and what they’re each suited for.

As with most instruments in their extensive catalogue, Yamaha saxophones are notorious for providing great quality at affordable prices. Although the Yamaha saxophone wasn’t initially considered a superb quality instrument, the manufacturer has done much over the years to solidify its position as one for the foremost manufacturers of the instrument.

Before buying a saxophone you will need to work out which type of instrument you need. One of the most commonly played varieties is the Alto saxophone; this is a medium sized instrument and is generally noted for being really comfortable to play. Generally these types of saxophone are regarded as the best instruments to start on because of their size and shape, which facilitate the learning process.

If you’re after a Yamaha Alto saxophone I would recommend the JP041 model. This is an excellent model to begin with because they are capable of producing some beautiful tones and yet they have a rather modest price tag which makes them ideal for beginner’s not wishing to invest too much money in their first instrument. If you are consider buying this Yamaha Alto saxophone I would recommend changing the mouthpiece when you have the opportunity, the piece which currently comes with this model may not allow the player to harness the full potential of the instrument. Fortunately a Yamaha saxophone mouthpiece can be rather inexpensive and lift the performance of the instrument dramatically. The JP041 Alto Yamaha saxophone retails for around £233 ($350) which makes it perfect for musicians on a budget.

Tenor saxophones are generally much larger than the latter models; these instruments are usually associated with Jazz music although they can be put to equally good use playing more classical pieces. The Tenor is one of the more popular varieties of saxophone, its long rods and large tone hole allow the player to produce some rather large sounds. If you’re looking for a Yamaha Tenor saxophone then the Custom then you’re probably best off with the YTS275 model, despite being an entry range Tenor sax this will still set you back around £963 ($1500). The steep price tag doesn’t make them as popular amongst beginners but these ranges are also suitable for more intermediate and advanced players. This Yamaha Tenor saxophone has a gold lacquer finish and is in the key of high F#, it comes with a great Yamaha saxophone mouthpiece.

If you’re a beginner looking for a Yamaha saxophone I would definitely recommend choosing either a Tenor or Alto model, these are by far the easiest to get to grips with and more convenient to use. If you’re a more experienced players and have a sound knowledge of what kind of sound your after then you might want to consider a Baritone or C Tenor Yamaha Saxophone, the decision will obviously depend on your playing style and individual preferences. Yamaha saxophones offer great quality at superb prices and should definitely be considered by anyone considering picking up the sax.

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