Yamaha Ecodear Alto YRA-402B Recorder. Unboxing & Review. 

I love watching your videos and Sarah’s videos as well y’all are so cool

The Ecorecorder has a lovely sound and I can tell you're advancing in your playing

Glad you enjoyed your purchase, I've just bought one too, perhaps to rediscover my youthful recorder playing days, but hopefully without those shrill school recorder tones of the '70s. I didn't buy it for the supposed eco benefits. I believe you can't go wrong with Yamaha as I know from all the Yamaha synths I've bought down the years. This isn't so much ecodear more ecocheap, it's at a very affordable price to begin my journey, box ticked. Its appearance also reminds me of white chocolate, which is no bad thing in my books! Loving all your fantastic videos, taking note of any recommrndations (no pressure) and I can't wait for more of your recorder vids; subbed and liked x

This is the first recorder I purchased and I love it.

Thank you for such a good quality and detailed review for Ecodear Tenor recorder

It has a pleasing tone I have a Treibert Alto recorder which is more difficult to play at times and not satisfied with it but I just ordered a Haka treble and I'm sure I'll be delighted

I bought the YRA-402B and am so pleased with it too.

I enjoy watching your videos and feel you are progressing nicely on your journey. You mentioned condensate building up easier with the curved and narrower windway. This is a common performance issue regardless of whether you play wood or plastic recorders. Imagine dealing with it during a performance of a sonata and you have 20 measures till the end of the movement with a few hundred people in the audience. To solve when you take a breath, start with you lips sealed on the beak and draw through the windway opening your lips immediately to finish your breath. That small amount of air backwards through the windway will dry it out. My may need to repeat to the end. I practice this when preparing for performance because you must be ready for little issues to popping up. The reason for the condensation is a cool instrument meeting your warm moist breath. Warm your recorder up before playing. If your recorder is body temperature the moisture of your breath will pass on through. Stay dry.

Great review. CONGRATULATIONS. I also enjoy playing the yamaha ecodear.😀👍🥰

I have the soprano version of this recorder and I really like it. I'm a beginner with not much money and I think these recorders are really good value. I've ordered the alto version for Christmas and can't wait to unbox it and have a go. Poor neighbours.

Thank you for a balanced review. Bio-friendly credentials aside, I really like the feel ( a tiny bit heavier) and the sound (darker, rounder) of the Ecodear alto over the 300 series Yamahas. Haven't tried the Aulos line yet, though. The Yamahas always have great intonation, which I really notice. Just got a Kung Studio Comfort tenor. So far I like it, and the keywork makes it so much easier to play than the Yamaha tenor. I couldn't afford a Denner, but I loved the sound of a Mollenhauer Canta comfort tenor I tried. The sound just sings in the upper register, but the Kung's keywork worked better from my hands.

I really like this Ecodear range of recorders, As you said, it can be unforgiving of breath pressure and thumb placement, but I find this is no worse than the Aulos Haka range. This isn't the only Ecodear alto recorder in this range, as they also make the YRA48B model. This is not a Rottenburgh copy, but Yamaha's own design based on their many years of recorder making expertise. I own all 3 of the Ecodear recorders, and the most used is the YRA48B. It is easiest to play and best sound for the music I like to play, with an ever so slightly mellower tone than the 402B model. When it comes down to it, it's all down to personal preferences and the skill of the person playing it that counts. I do wish Yamaha would make a Tenor version in this range. Until then I'll stick with my Aulos Symphony 511B Tenor and the Ecodear soprano and Alto's.

It's "green" credentials are vastly overhyped. Only 30% of the material used is plant-based. 70% is exactly the same as other recorders. Not a game-changer. But it's a very good plastic recorder!

thanks for this video! got the 312B instead for my first recorder ☺️

I ordered this based on other reviews and side by said comparisons with other plastic/resin recorders. Then I found this video. Just more confirmation that this was a sound purchase for my first "real" recorder. (My first one was a crazy cheap piece of bleep.)

Happy to sub, and well done; thats proper British English eye dew believe? My 1st ABS noise making unit will be arriving just in time four Charlie Browns Great Pumpkin airing. Very serious & my boring attempt at humor, great video! Audio, visuals, all just very fine. The additional editing and tech. options you've chosen are what makes this a excellent production. Great work! Now, since this is my first viewing on your channel I'm off to explore, many thanks I know it takes so much time and much success to you. Jesus wins. SS from MI.✝

My first alto, and my faithful workhorse! Doesn't need any pampering, unlike my diva of a Fehr palisander alto.

Me: Immediately goes to Amazon to purchase upon hearing sound described as: has a “meaty umpf”. 😂

I think it has a nicer, creamier sound than other plastic recorders but it really doesn't sound like wood.

I bought the Yamaha Eco dear in soprano and alto as well, and vastly prefer the Aulos Haka in soprano and alto. These Yamaha are great for traveling, though, and are what I'll have my children practice with at first.

What a lovely video, girl

🧡❤

Thanks for the review! How do you like it compared to the Thomann? For plastic recorders, which one would you best recommend for newer players? Thanks again!

Helo! If possible, make a comparison between the YRA-302B III model (or any of the 300 series) and say if it really sounds smoother and more harmonious than yours. Thank you very much.

Yeah

I noticed plastic gets condensation quicker too.

I have several alto recorders... and this one compared to the "classic brown/white ABS" definitly sounds colder... feels like "dead" in my hands. I would strongly recommend to try and compare before you buy one - sorry my bad english // Sie ist schwerer als die gute alte Yamaha ABS, klingt vergleichsweise kalt und flach... fühlt sich unter den Händen tot an; das Material ist zu steif... vielleicht im Diskant ein bisschen klarer... aber ihr fehlt die Wärme.

how often should u grease ur recorder?

Looks like you are able to play the highest F 🥰

I'm not fond of their recorder cream unless it doesn't seem to go together.

But…GMO corn ?

You should affiliate market for Amazon so we can click a link in the profile. :)

Nope, plant based plastics are still plastics. And the measly amount of CO2 locked in by the plant is not going to be very helpful. On the bright side, their plastic products are really good and whichever you buy, ecodear or not, a yamaha plastic recorder will prolly last you for life and you can even hand it down to reduce waste. They're good instruments and one where I'd not mind the use of plastic cause wood is just prohibitively expensive for beginners.

But ...is it a SOLID PLASTIC...???✨🤔✨

To me, this very recorder was a disappointment (the way it sounds) - but for practicing is OK Yamaha YRA-300 Series recorders are much better instruments

It is hard to take environmental credits seriously when Yamaha award them to themselves... For me, this is still plastic, it is now on this planet forever unless it is burnt which is why I wouldn't buy one. It sounds nice and seems cheap at 28 pounds.

Appalling music spoils a good review.

I don't see any point in using plastic instruments as a beginner. You can get a very good used wood instrument, e.g. Moeck Rottenburgh for the same price, so there is really no need to play that plastic crap