The new Custom Yamaha Baritone Saxophone YBS-82

I have been enjoying working with this new baritone saxophone over the last few weeks. I have played the baritone for most of my saxophone life, beginning in 1986 when I was the baritone saxophonist in Sheffield bands as a child. I love the baritone both as an instrument in chamber music (I played baritone in early quartets at music college and the Northern Saxophone Quartet) and as a soloist. Although I am not known for my jazz playing, I have played many hours in big bands on the baritone. The instrument is so versatile, it can be incredibly expressive with a delicate sound, allowing the player all the nuance they might wish to create in a musical line. But there is great depth to the sound too, with huge dynamic range and exciting articulations to choose from.

The YBS-82 baritone from Yamaha is a wonderful instrument with noticeable and substantial development from the 62 baritone which I have enjoyed playing for nearly 20 years. The baritone is different in shape, with its shorter bell. The instrument sits nicely on the harness, with a changed sling hook position. The baritone feels narrower with the key work lying comfortably under the fingers. The improvement in key layout design makes fast finger work much easier and the whole experience of playing the baritone more dexterous. The position of the low A key is improved, with less movement needed by the left thumb to reach, again ease of playing around the whole range of the saxophone at speed is enhanced.

The tone is warm, with a focused centre and wide dynamic range. I feel able to tone match across the whole range of the instrument. The harmonics seem to speak easier. With this new design there has been a change in bore length which may have contributed to this. As a result, the altissimo range is more effortless, with all altissimo fingerings responding better, giving both greater accuracy playing above the normal range, and more fingering options, which again will improve dexterity.

At the moment I am enjoying playing my 62 again, especially as it has just had a full service in the very capable hands of Tom Rodgers from Windstruments. But I am very tempted by the 82; with its warm sound, responsiveness, and comfortable feel this is a great new addition to the line up of Yamaha saxophones.