Yamaha YCL650 Bb (17 Silver Plated Keys)

Essential Information About the Yamaha YCL-650 Clarinet

• Rich and warm sound with excellent projection, inspired by several features of Yamaha Custom models.


• Leather pads selected to optimize sealing, reduce unwanted noise, and promote smooth sound production.


• Custom-designed bell and barrel for more efficient airflow and precise intonation, especially on the B note.


• Refined ergonomics: adjustable thumb rest, hand-fitted keywork, and extended spatulas for natural fingering.

A Yamaha Clarinet in the "Custom" Spirit

The Yamaha YCL-650 positions itself as a clarinet with a decidedly professional approach, designed to offer balanced resistance and a generous airflow. Yamaha relies here on design elements borrowed from its Custom family, renowned for manufacturing precision and the ability to produce a dense, stable, and expressive sound. The bell and barrel feature a design similar to that of the high-end models, with a clear goal: to improve the coherence of the air column and refine intonation on sensitive notes.

For Which Musician and Styles?

The YCL-650 is aimed at the advanced intermediate musician, whether at the conservatory or in intensive practice, and can perfectly accompany a clarinetist toward a pre-professional level. Its consistent response and solid projection suit both the classical repertoire (work on tuning, register homogeneity, dynamics) and contexts such as wind orchestra, brass band, or pop music, where clarity and sound presence are essential. The ergonomics (adjustable thumb rest, keys designed to reduce fatigue) also make it an excellent choice for long rehearsals.

Sound and Design

Made of grenadilla, the Yamaha YCL-650 develops a warm and rich timbre, with beautiful density in the chalumeau register and clear projection in the upper register. The leather pads were selected after testing for their impact on sound quality: they provide reliable sealing, which helps stabilize sound production, reduce unwanted mechanical noise, and achieve a more connected playing in fast passages. Yamaha also integrated a specific internal design at the bell level to improve the intonation of the B note, while maintaining a natural blowing sensation. For comfort, the hand-fitted keys and extended spatulas (E/B and C#/G#) contribute to a more secure grip, reducing the risk of slipping and fingering errors.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

The YCL-650 comes with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, a ligature, and a mouthpiece cap, allowing you to start immediately under good conditions. For routine maintenance and to preserve playing stability, a B-flat clarinet swab and cork grease are particularly useful additions.

Technical specifications

Level	Student	System	Boehm
Tone	Bb	Color	Black
Body material	Grenadilla

Key	B-flat	Spring material	blued steel
Barrel	65 mm	Pad material	leather
Keys	17	Thumb rest	adjustable with ring for a neck strap
Rings	6	Included accessories	case, Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, ligature, mouthpiece cap
Keywork	silver-plated nickel silver