24
Aug

The Yamaha YAS23 alto saxophone features a clear durable baked-on epoxy lacquer finish. Nickel plated power-forged keys provide excellent durability while the refined tone hole dimensions and placement provide superior intonation. Is it good enough for a first year of band?

Yamaha's are great horns, especially the YAS23 for beginners. I had one from 6th grade all the way until the end of my sophomore year of high school. It's a very sturdy horn and it lasts. Someone a couple posts ago told you that if you begin on a Yamaha you'll never be able to play anything else....sorry but that's bull**it. All I have ever owned are Yamaha's and just a month ago I purchased a Selmer Serie III black laquer soprano. The transition wasn't difficult at all, I just had to work on voicing for a couple weeks since corks on Selmers are shorter, and therefore require a different oral cavity to play them. I say go for the YAS23 for a great student model horn. Of course there are other makes out there....Selmer and Yamaha being at the top right now. I would suggest going down to your local music store and trying out a 23 just to make sure you like the tone and quality. It's good to give yourself options, so try out a couple different brands they suggest. Good luck!

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Category : yamaha saxophone

7 Responses to “Yamaha YAS-23 Alto Saxophone? Is it good?”


goochy April 16, 2009

hey only if u know how to play it.
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my head

John G April 16, 2009

try it!
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gal April 16, 2009

maybe
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DTB April 16, 2009

I used mine from the 7th grade all the way through High School, until it was stolen my freshman year of College. It was great. Just take care of it, and have it serviced regularly. Keep an eye on your pads.

Anything Yamaha makes is excellent.
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fatcatjack9000 April 16, 2009

Yamaha sucks. Don't do it. There is many other brands of saxophones out there. Ok, here we go.
A saxophone mouthpiece is like a board with lots of slots. Each slot, where your tounge is (tounge leveling), leaves a different note. Mouthpieces like Yamaha have too tight slots, leaving not enough room for beginners to learn with it. I fyou learn on a Yahama, you will not be able to play anything else. I know it's tough, but it's true. Now, lets deal with price ranges– you can't get a good, cheap horn. It can be all shiney and pretty, but leaks, bad pads, and even loose keys can be a problem. You have to make sure you want it alot, knowing that it's going to be alot of money. I can recommend Selmer, Jupiter, or Jim Ban. Even if you do get a not so good horn, just play your best.
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lacieunderalls April 16, 2009

Yamaha makes excellent saxophones. If you choose to switch to another horn later, like a Selmer for example, your fingers will have to adjust slightly, but it's not that difficult to do. I played my Yamaha YAS-21 (the YAS-23 came out later but is just about exactly the same horn) all through junior high and high school and college, and it was just nothing but a great horn for me.

I still have it and play it occasionally and it's still great as ever. When I take it in to have it serviced, the guys at the music shop always tell me what a great horn it is.

I wouldn't stick with the stock mouthpiece though. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a better mouthpiece. Try a few out and see what feels best to you and easiest to blow. You'll be happy you did yourself that favor. I use a Claude Lakey mouthpiece, and it made a huge difference. Totally worth the investment.

Good luck :)
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musicislife April 16, 2009

Yamaha's are great horns, especially the YAS23 for beginners. I had one from 6th grade all the way until the end of my sophomore year of high school. It's a very sturdy horn and it lasts. Someone a couple posts ago told you that if you begin on a Yamaha you'll never be able to play anything else….sorry but that's bull**it. All I have ever owned are Yamaha's and just a month ago I purchased a Selmer Serie III black laquer soprano. The transition wasn't difficult at all, I just had to work on voicing for a couple weeks since corks on Selmers are shorter, and therefore require a different oral cavity to play them. I say go for the YAS23 for a great student model horn. Of course there are other makes out there….Selmer and Yamaha being at the top right now. I would suggest going down to your local music store and trying out a 23 just to make sure you like the tone and quality. It's good to give yourself options, so try out a couple different brands they suggest. Good luck!
References :
Played saxophone for 10 years now, sophomore in college as a music education major with a concentration in saxophone