We make your class sound great!
The woodwind class is a modern, motivating and effective teaching method in which pupils systematically learn to play an instrument. The content of the lessons becomes more comprehensible through active music-making. The children in a class or the participating children in a year group form an orchestra together from the very beginning. It is not necessary for the children to have any previous musical training. All children should start on their instrument without any previous knowledge so that everyone is at the same starting level.
As a rule, a woodwind class project runs for two years, after which the pupils should have the opportunity to apply and deepen what they have learned in the school orchestra, big band or another continuation of the project.
As a woodwind class incurs costs for lessons and instruments that a school cannot usually afford, the pupils usually contribute to the costs with a monthly fee.
We have been working successfully with Yamaha for a long time to set up woodwind classes. For this reason, we are also a “Yamaha Wind Class System Partner”.
We and the relevant Yamaha employees are always happy to provide you with advice and assistance in all the steps necessary to implement the idea of a woodwind class, right through to the subsequent maintenance of the instruments.
Yamaha offers a wide range of seminars for interested educators and instrumental teachers, from basic training to advanced seminars and special workshops.
The Yamaha Congress is a regular event that is used by many woodwind class teachers to exchange ideas with colleagues, to familiarize themselves with new topics in workshops, to get new ideas, to get to know new teaching literature and to obtain new information.
The “Essential Elements” is the ideal teaching book for the woodwind class. It includes individual parts for each instrument, a score and a teacher’s manual. The “Essential Elements” are the basis and guide for music lessons in schools and music clubs.
Yamaha instruments are the ideal instruments for the woodwind class. The high quality, clean intonation, easy playability and beautiful sound make these instruments the perfect companions to the class.
Yamaha instruments are covered by free instrument insurance for two years when purchased for a woodwind class.
The instrumentation of the class follows the sound of the symphonic woodwind orchestra with a balanced ratio of woodwind and brass instruments.
When choosing instruments, which is mandatory for the duration of a wind class project, the pupils are carefully advised by the instrumental teachers. The children’s instrument preferences are taken into account wherever possible. We are happy to help with the decision, either in our store or, if possible, at the school.
A balanced composition would be (with 22 instruments):
4 flutes, 5 clarinets, 2 saxophones, 3 trumpets, 2 French horns, 3 trombones, 2 euphoniums, 1 tuba. It is also possible to add percussion or other wind instruments.
There are several options here. You choose the most suitable method for your school or class.
1) The instruments can be purchased with the help of the Förderverein and/or sponsors and patrons.
2) The instruments are leased. Yamaha works with a leasing company for the financing of these instruments, which will make you a good offer. With the help of the monthly fees paid by the students, you can finance the lease payment.
3) As a Yamaha System Partner, we rent the instruments to your students for the duration of the project. At the end of the project, the instruments can be purchased or returned for a residual purchase price, taking into account the rental fees paid.
We will be happy to make you a tailor-made offer. If you see another way to finance the instruments yourself, please contact us.
Early beginner instruments are particularly suitable for children with small hands due to their design and the arrangement of the keys. As a rule, they are only needed for a limited time until the child can play a full-size instrument. If a full-size instrument is purchased at a later date, we will offset the rent paid for the child-friendly instrument up to a maximum of 130.00 euros against the sales price.
Flute
Yamaha 212
The YAMAHA standard and advanced series flutes are the best-selling flutes, unsurpassed in quality, excellent in sound and intonation. The models were revised for the 2016 model year. The flutes have a high-quality pointed lid mechanism, and the shape of the key covers ensures a comfortable, natural feel. New, optimized pads ensure even longer-lasting stability. For smaller or younger pupils, the flute can be supplemented with an additional curved headjoint
Clarinet in the German system
Clarinets in the German system are made from high-quality grenadilla wood. Equipped with the classic German bore, they offer the typical warm and intense sound with a unique overtone spectrum. The clarinets respond very easily, but still have the necessary blowing resistance to shape the sound.
Yamaha 457 II-17: entry-level model with 17 keys and four rings, ideal for school use.
Yamaha 457 II-20: the Yamaha 457 II-20 should be chosen if there is an option for the instrument to be purchased later by the student. With its 20 keys, 6 rings and GabelF/B mechanism, this clarinet is also the ideal instrument for the advanced amateur.
Boehm clarinet (French system)
Yamaha YCL 450: Clarinet made of grenadilla wood. The Yamaha 450 offers a full sound with a very easy response. The design of the bell enables a very clean intonation, especially in the low register, which is important for the wind class.
In consultation with the instrumental teacher, you’ll need to decide whether you would like to use clarinets in the German or French system for your class.
Yamaha Saxophones
Yamaha alto and tenor saxophones in the 280 series are the ideal saxophones for woodwind instrument classes. They are very comfortable to play, even with smaller hands, the response is unproblematic and the intonation is excellent. The Yamaha 280 saxophones are equipped with a mouthpiece ideal for beginners and a backpack case.
Yamaha trumpets
The current Yamaha student trumpets are equipped with a completely redesigned bell. This ensures a particularly light and quick response as well as an excellent sound from the very first note. The Yamaha 3335 and 4335 models are equipped with a backpack case.
Yamaha YTR 3335: the Yamaha YTR 3335 has a special “reversed type” main tuning slide and an additional support on the main tuning slide. This ensures an excellent playing feel as well as an easy response and a consistent, solid sound.
Yamaha YTR 4335: the bell of the Yamaha 4335 is made of gold brass, which provides a fuller and warmer tone with slightly greater blowing resistance.
French horn
French horn in Bb Yamaha YHR 320II: The French horn is often not used in wind instrument classes, often because there is no instrumental teacher available, but often also because the French horn has a reputation for being difficult to master. The Yamaha 320II disproves this prejudice. It allows effortless playing in all registers, and its lightweight and good balance make it easy to get started. The Yamaha 320II is equipped with a backpack case.
Trombone
Yamaha trombone YSL 354E: the Yamaha 354E is the ideal instrument for beginners. It is easy to play with a well-balanced response and offers optimum conditions. The slide has an excellent manufacturing quality thanks to the high-quality material and tight tolerances.
Compact trombone Yamaha 350C: the alternative for primary school brass classes. Yamaha has developed the 350C model for students who cannot stretch their arms far enough to reach all slide positions. This is achieved via the secondary valve, which means that the sixth and seventh slide positions are no longer required.
For deeper sound
Euphonium Yamaha YEP 201: this euphonium is the lightweight in the low brass range. It is a must-have in every brass class and enables even the youngest players to enter the low register with ease. It is particularly easy to play and hold, but still has a full, powerful tone and an easy response.
Tuba Yamaha YBB 105: the Yamaha Tuba 105 is the first choice for young tuba players. Its lightweight and compact design makes it the ideal instrument for the class. With clean intonation and optimum balance, the Yamaha 105 provides a solid foundation for good music.
Percussion
Yamaha offers a wide range of concert percussion instruments for use in your classes. For example, the GM2F5 drum set, the YX-135 xylophone and the YGD-250D glockenspiel are recommended.
