How much easier or harder is this instrument to play than a tenor saxophone with respect of amount and force of air needed?
55100
Hi, it's a great instrument and you don't need more air force then a saxophone. Have fun! ;-)
55101
It's actually harder. The instrument is played by touching silver-like studs, which are not pushable buttons. So the feel isn't anywhere near the real thing. Honestly I wish I'd bought the more expensive model. I mean this works fine but, it certainly wasn't what I expected. If you're used to playing regular brass I wouldn't recommend this.
55102
You need much more control of your fingers. The keys are super sensitive. One thing I really enjoy is how easy it is to change octaves.
55103
I have never played a reed instrument. The best answer I can give is that I find it almost effortless in regard to force of breath and breath control.
1354048
I have short, stubby fingers, and the bass is easier for me to play than the Yamaha tenor is. I can't play the basses that you blow into to the top because my arms just aren't long enough, but I have no problem with this one. I just measured my hand span with a ruler, from the tip of my thumb to the tip of my little finger, with my hand spread, and it's 8". It seems like a little bit shorter would be ok too. Hope that helps. Good luck!
1084817
The fingering is somewhat different but the principle of lifting the fingers in sequence is similar to the recorder. It is not difficult to learn. The main problem is that it is out of tune with the recorders and with the piano. It is beautiful played by itself but don't expect to play in concert with other instruments.
1422909
The Yamaha YAS 61 was supposed to be Yamaha`s first professional model saxophone. In my opinion the Yamaha YAS 61 sounds brighter and louder, but that`s with the Bamber jazz mouthpiece. That will make a difference. The Mendini was not far behind the Yamaha YAS 61 in sound though. I give the Yamaha YAS 61 a grade A for sound quality, and the Mendini Alto Saxophone a grade B to B+ for sound quality. Switching to a jazz mouthpiece on the Mendini does make it sound brighter. I like Lavoz reeds too. I have not found the most ideal mouthpiece just yet for the Mendini Sax. I haven`t had it long enough to know. Bamber mouthpieces are not for sale anymore, that is I can`t find them on the internet. Metalite M 5 is inexpensive on amazon.com and will make the Mendini Alto Saxophone louder. It will be short shank so will fit on the cork further out than the mouthpiece that comes with the saxophone. E. Rousseau JDX 6 is another jazz mouthpiece for a little more money. Right now I have been practicing with the mouthpiece that came with the Mendini saxophone with a Lavoz reed. Maybe a homemade metal piece inserted in the mouthpiece will make this mouthpiece play brighter. I think it has a fairly good tone quality with the Mendini mouthpiece. The Mendini alto saxophone has it`s own signature sound as other saxophones have as well. The Mendini alto saxophone is a little quieter and slightly less bright than the Yamaha, and not necessarily worse. Some saxophonist don`t always want that bright of a sound. I do though. Hope that answers your question ? If you want to ask more questions please send another request. I`ll try to help
571356
I'm not sure how to attest to the loudness - what to compare it to, but comparing it to others I've had in the past, I do feel this one is louder. If you can think of something for me to compare it to, I'd be glad to do so. As to the eighth notes - yes, it does play them...as well as triplets, and others. I highly recommend this device.
1883309
The Tenor does have deeper tones. The main reason I chose a Tenor, however, was because I am a big person and I figured it would be harder to play a tiny soprano uke.
1883311
I have both. The soprano is easier to chord but I have large fingers so I like the tenor because there's more room between strings and frets. You're right though, the tenor does sound richer.
755420
Really depends on your style of playing however medium guage would be my recommendation
436834
This takes a lot of practice ...so "No", if you just want to play some musics. Recorders are much much easier to play for everyone. Hope this helps.
740320
It would be a little wider than the tenor and slightly smaller than a full size guitar. Its a fun little instrument. I suffer from Ukulele acquisition syndrome ( Buying more Uks than I really need) so I play both on a regular bases the Guilele gives you the Uk sound with a guitar feel. Hope that helps Scott
419305
alto saxophones are about 24 inches long and maybe 6 inches wide. but most important i wouldn't buy this piece of junk, i would look for a yamaha sax yas 23 for a student
1354047
You should be able to play this if you can play the alto comfortably. My concern is not so much the distance of the holes, but the size of the holes. If you have small hands you may be able to reach the holes but not cover them depending on the size of your fingertips. Be aware, also that this instrument requires a substantial amount of air so you need good lungs. The sound, though, for the price is very satisfying. We have two that we play with our ensembles - everyone else plays wooden recorders, but because of the cost of a wooden bass we've opted to use the Yamahas and haven't been disappointed. It's a good place to start. Good luck and I hope it works for you. You should be able to play this if you can play the alto comfortably. My concern is not so much the distance of the holes, but the size of the holes. If you have small hands you may be able to reach the holes but not cover them depending on the size of your fingertips. Be aware, also that this instrument requires a substantial amount of air so you need good lungs. The sound, though, for the price is very satisfying. We have two that we play with our ensembles - everyone else plays wooden recorders, but because of the cost of a wooden bass we've opted to use the Yamahas and haven't been... » Read More You should be able to play this if you can play the alto comfortably. My concern is not so much the distance of the holes, but the size of the holes. If you have small hands you may be able to reach the holes but not cover them depending on the size of your fingertips. Be aware, also that this instrument requires a substantial amount of air so you need good lungs. The sound, though, for the price is very satisfying. We have two that we play with our ensembles - everyone else plays wooden recorders, but because of the cost of a wooden bass we've opted to use the Yamahas and haven't been disappointed. It's a good place to start. Good luck and I hope it works for you. « Show Less
1784321
The recorders I'm familiar with have had the same fingering as a sax, but without the little-finger-key options for flats/sharps (leaving a higher hole open instead of depressing a levered key with the little finger). I don't think you'll have any problem with it.
339856
The keys are touch-sensitive, so the harder you strike them, the louder it will play the note. However I don't believe the keys are weighted
1547835
This is hard to answer, so I will answer it in this manner. When I first began to play the Yamaha I felt the upright at my church and the Yamaha compared favorably. I could transition between the two more easily than the electronic piano at church. Are they exactly the same? No, but close. You must realize that my perception may be different from yours. Some electronic pianos have the ability to change the sensitivity of the key board. You must realize that this is an entry level instrument and I purchased it to play for my own amusement. It good quality for that purpose. You must decide what quality you want and the purpose of the instrument. This is hard to answer, so I will answer it in this manner. When I first began to play the Yamaha I felt the upright at my church and the Yamaha compared favorably. I could transition between the two more easily than the electronic piano at church. Are they exactly the same? No, but close. You must realize that my perception may be different from yours. Some electronic pianos have the ability to change the sensitivity of the key board. You must realize that this is an entry level instrument and I purchased it to play for my own amusement. It good quality for that purpose. You must decide... » Read More This is hard to answer, so I will answer it in this manner. When I first began to play the Yamaha I felt the upright at my church and the Yamaha compared favorably. I could transition between the two more easily than the electronic piano at church. Are they exactly the same? No, but close. You must realize that my perception may be different from yours. Some electronic pianos have the ability to change the sensitivity of the key board. You must realize that this is an entry level instrument and I purchased it to play for my own amusement. It good quality for that purpose. You must decide what quality you want and the purpose of the instrument. « Show Less
912063
Well I am not really sure. It's an ok clarinet. Sometimes it can be a little hard to play. But I think it may have to do with the mouthpiece and reed choice is a big factor. I found that the lower down I moved my ligature the easier it was to play. I hope this answers your question.
2207030
As far as its ability to move air, no difference. It is very quiet. As a conversation piece, it is fascinating. I keep it on a stage and I never worry about kids being around it. No blades to catch fingers or hair.