Best Yamaha Clarinet Options

Reviewing the best Yamaha clarinet options can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you know what type of clarinet you need, you can easily narrow your search.

Then, you can test the Yamaha and compare it to other models to decide which is best. Soon enough, you may be able to play the clarinet and enjoy practicing.

Bottom Line Up Front: The Yamaha YCL-255 is the best clarinet for beginners, but professionals may need something more advanced. Luckily, Yamaha has a clarinet for almost anyone.

Best Yamaha Clarinet Options

When shopping for an instrument, you should consider the best Yamaha clarinet options. The company makes more clarinet models than you may expect, and most are well worth the money.

However, the right model for you depends on your playing and goals. That’s why I made sure to find and include clarinets at all levels, and I found clarinets of different sizes.

Whether you’re a beginner or want to expand your clarinet skills, there’s a Yamaha model for you. Here are some clarinets to consider.

Yamaha YCL-255

The Yamaha YCL-255 is an excellent beginner clarinet. Yamaha models it after their professional clarinets, so you can get a good sound from the start.

This model uses ABS resin, so it’s plastic and suitable for playing inside and outside. It’s also durable, so it can handle almost anything a student would put it through.

You can change the thumb rest position to make it more comfortable. The instrument comes with a hard case, and it also includes a Yamaha mouthpiece, so you just need to get some reeds to play.

Pros

• Perfect for beginners
• Affordable
• Comes with accessories
• Adjustable thumb rest
• Durable

Cons

• Not wood
• Not for professionals

Yamaha YCL-450

If you’ve played the clarinet for a while, you may want to upgrade to the Yamaha YCL-450. This clarinet features grenadilla wood, which is the standard wood for woodwinds.

The silver-plated keys look great and are comfortable to play. It’s a good clarinet for advancing students or casual players who need a good yet affordable model.

You’ll get a mouthpiece and a case with the clarinet to keep the instrument safe. Then, you can take it with you to rehearsals and concerts.

Pros

• For casual players
• Wood model
• Decent price
• Comes with accessories
• Easy to play

Cons

• Not for beginners
• Requires more maintenance

Yamaha YCL-650

The Yamaha YCL-650 is the company’s entry-level professional clarinet. It’s a grenadilla instrument with silver-plated keys, so it seems very similar to the YCL-450.

However, it’s quite free blowing, so it’s great for more advanced musicians. You’ll get a Yamaha mouthpiece, a case, and other accessories to help care for the instrument.

This model has a natural finish that makes it look and sound fantastic. It’s a great option for serious players, college students, and professionals.

Pros

• Grenadilla wood
• Well made
• Great sound
• Looks nice
• For professionals

Cons

• A bit expensive
• Not much different from the YCL-450

Yamaha YCL-CSVR

If you’re looking for the best clarinet for a professional, consider the Yamaha YCL-CSVR. This handmade instrument features an adjustable thumb rest and ergonomically-designed keys.

You’ll get a wood clarinet along with a mouthpiece, ligature, and other accessories. The pads on the keys are durable, so you can play the clarinet for a while before needing new pads.

It’s a great choice for professionals and advanced music students. However, it’s a bit expensive so not necessary for most players.

Pros

• Best for professionals
• Custom and handmade
• Comes with accessories
• Easy to play
• Ergonomic design

Cons

• Quite expensive
• Not for beginners

Yamaha YCL-CSVRA

At some point, most professionals will need to get a clarinet in A. The Yamaha YCL-CSVRA is an excellent option, especially if you own and like the same model in Bb.

It has many of the same specs, such as a grenadilla body and an adjustable thumb rest. But the clarinet plays a half step lower, which is great for many orchestral players.

Sadly, this model is quite expensive, so I’d only recommend it for serious clarinetists. Still, it’s a good instrument to add to your inventory if you play in an orchestra or simply want a clarinet in A.

Pros

• Clarinet in A
• Easy to play
• Professional design
• Custom made
• Comfortable

Cons

• Very expensive
• For serious players only

Yamaha YCL-681

The Yamaha YCL-681 is a professional clarinet in Eb, so it plays a fourth higher than the standard clarinet. It’s a wood model and features a one-piece body.

This model comes with a case, so you can protect the Eb clarinet when you aren’t playing it. Getting some sort of Eb clarinet is great for playing in an orchestra, wind ensemble, or clarinet choir.

While there are some cheaper Eb clarinets, this one is well made. It’s a great choice for serious players who want to get the best possible sound and response.

Pros

• Easy to play
• Great sound
• Nice response
• Well made
• For professionals

Cons

• Somewhat expensive
• Hard for beginners

Yamaha YCL-221II

The Yamaha YCL-221II is the entry-level bass clarinet. It has a two-piece plastic resin body, so you don’t have to worry about maintaining wood.

Meanwhile, the bell, neck, and keys are all silver-plated, which helps keep the cost reasonable. You can play down to a low Eb on this instrument, which is great for many students.

This clarinet comes with a mouthpiece and case, so you can protect your investment. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to experiment with the lower range of the clarinet.

Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to play
• Comes with accessories
• Good sound
• Suitable for students

Cons

• Not the full range
• Not for professionals

Yamaha YCL-621

If you want to focus on the bass clarinet, you can’t go wrong with the Yamaha YCL-621. The professional bass clarinet has a two-piece grenadilla wood body.

Silver plating covers the neck, bell, and keys, so the model isn’t as expensive as it could be. However, it’s still quite an investment, so it’s best for players with some experience.

Assuming you have experience, playing this clarinet should come easily. You can play as low as an Eb, which is good for most pieces, but you may not be able to use it for everything.

Pros

• Wood body
• Good sound
• Easy to play
• Nice for serious players
• High quality

Cons

• No super low notes
• Somewhat expensive

Yamaha YCL-622II

If you want to get a bass clarinet that will last you for years, the Yamaha YCL-622II is worth a try. This model is very similar to the other professional bass.

However, this clarinet can go down to a low C, so you can play basically any bass clarinet part. Those extra keys do make the clarinet quite a bit more expensive, so this is best for professionals.

It uses grenadilla wood and silver plating, which is standard for bass clarinets. You’ll also get a mouthpiece and case to use with the instrument.

Pros

• Best for professionals
• Full bass clarinet range
• Great sound
• Nice quality
• Comes with accessories

Cons

• Very expensive
• Not for beginners

Yamaha YCL-631

The Yamaha YCL-631 is an alto clarinet, so it plays an octave lower than the Eb clarinet. It’s a wooden instrument with grenadilla as the main material, and there are silver-plated keys.

You can play down to a low Eb on this instrument, and it sounds pretty good. Alto clarinets are the most popular in clarinet choirs, but they can appear in some other ensembles.

However, they’re much less common than other types of clarinets. So this instrument is really only a good investment for serious players who know they will get a lot of use out of it.

Pros

• Low Eb
• Good sound
• Easy to play
• Nice design
• Quality materials

Cons

• Expensive
• Not very popular

How to Choose the Best Yamaha Clarinet

If you want to decide between a few of the best Yamaha clarinet options, you have a lot to consider. Narrowing down the brand can help your search.

However, the brand still has quite a variety of models available. To further narrow down your list of potential clarinet models, think about the following factors.

Start With the Type

The most important thing to decide on is the type of clarinet you want. If you’re a beginner, you should start on a Bb clarinet since that’s the easiest to play and most affordable.

Once you get some experience, you can choose to upgrade your Bb clarinet. But you may want to expand your skills and learn the clarinet in A or Eb.

Knowing what type of clarinet you want may help you choose the specific model, especially if Yamaha only makes one. But it can still help you choose from two or three models.

Consider Your Level

You should also consider what your level of clarinet playing is. If you’ve never played, you’ll want to start with a beginner instrument, like the YCL-255.

Players with more experience can compare the YCL-650 and YCL-CSRV. Those professional clarinets have a lot in common, so be sure to test them carefully.

At the professional level, be sure to test the specific clarinet you want to buy. Handmade clarinets can differ enough to make one suit you better than another, even if they’re the same model.

Compare Materials

Along with the level of an instrument, think about the materials. Most beginner clarinets use some sort of plastic or resin since it’s cheap and easy to take care of.

However, as you advance, you have to decide if you want a plastic or wood model. Wood can sound warmer and fuller than plastic, but it requires more maintenance.

If you aren’t careful, your clarinet could develop cracks. So if you don’t think you’ll play the clarinet much, it’s better to get a plastic instrument that can handle temperature changes without much of an issue.

Look at the Specs

This factor applies more to low clarinets than your standard Bb clarinet. Some alto and bass clarinets go down to a low Eb, which is a half step lower than the lowest written note on Bb, A, and Eb models.

You can also find the occasional bass clarinet that goes down to a written low C. Think about the music you want to play on those instruments and if low Ds, C#s, and Cs are common.

If so, you’ll want to invest in a clarinet that can play those notes. Or you’ll need to figure out if you can play the notes up an octave or leave them out.

Set a Budget

As you look at the various Yamaha clarinets, you may see a huge variation in price. Some instruments cost less than $1,000, while others cost more than $10,000.

Once you determine your level and what type of clarinet you want, you can get a better idea of the cost. Then, you’ll use that information to set a realistic budget.

If you don’t have enough money now, you can set a savings goal. That way, you can save up enough money to cover the cost of your new instrument.

Review Used Options

It’s easy to just look at new Yamaha clarinets, but that can limit your search. Opening yourself up to used models provides a couple of benefits.

First, used clarinets tend to be much cheaper than when they’re new. Second, you may access older Yamaha clarinet models that the company no longer makes.

Those older models may work better with you and your playing. So give a few new and used clarinets a try when shopping for your next one.

Know What You’ll Get

You should take a look at what you’ll actually get with the clarinet. Most Yamaha models come with the body, bell, and barrel or neck, depending on the type.

A lot of the models also come with a Yamaha mouthpiece and a case. However, especially with used clarinets, you might not get that many accessories.

On the other hand, some clarinets will come with cork grease and other care supplies. Consider if you will need to buy those items separately, especially when budgeting for your purchase.

Test the Clarinets

If possible, you should try the Yamaha clarinet you want before buying it. This is particularly important when shopping for a professional instrument.

Testing the clarinet allows you to get a feel for how it sounds and responds. Then, you can make sure that you don’t buy a clarinet that won’t work for you.

After testing Yamaha models, you may realize you should try another brand. Buying a clarinet is such a subjective thing, so you don’t want to assume that the model you buy will suit you perfectly.

Swap Out Accessories

Maybe you like a Yamaha clarinet but don’t love it. While you can look at similar models, you can also swap out things like the mouthpiece and reed.

Some clarinets even work well with different barrels or bells. Testing different combinations can be a great way to help you find the perfect fit.

You may end up loving the Yamaha clarinet more than you initially did. Be sure to have a few reeds on hand as well as your current mouthpiece, especially when trying professional instruments.

FAQs About the Best Yamaha Clarinet Options

Final Note on the Best Yamaha Clarinet Options

The best Yamaha clarinet options can help more players find an instrument that suits them. If you’re a beginner, I’d recommend trying the YCL-255.

However, the YCL-650 or the YCL-CSVR is a better choice for professionals. Be sure to compare clarinets from other brands to make sure you choose the best model for you.

For more interesting readings check out: 

• Best Clarinet Reeds on Amazon
• Clarinet Types and Varieties Explained: [2022]
• How to Find the Best E Flat Clarinet