When shopping for a good, durable piccolo, the Yamaha YPC-32 should be on your list. It’s not a perfect piccolo for everyone, but no piccolo model is.
Before you give it a try or cross it off your shopping list, consider if it’s the right piccolo for you. Then, you’ll be able to purchase an instrument you’ll want to practice.
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What Is the Piccolo Yamaha YPC-32?
The Yamaha YPC-32 is an excellent student model piccolo. It features a silver-plated headjoint with a lip plate, which can help some players transition from the metal concert flute.
However, the YPC-32 has a plastic body with silver-plated keys, so it’s not as shrill as an all metal piccolo. You get a split E mechanism to help play the third octave E more easily.
While I haven’t played this model, I’ve met other people who have played it. My college had a few that some flute players used to play the piccolo in marching band, and they sounded great on it.
Compared to other plastic and metal combination piccolos, it’s a bit expensive. But Yamaha is known for making good-quality instruments, so you can use this piccolo for a long time.
If you like playing a wood Yamaha in orchestra or wind ensemble, this may be a good backup piccolo. That way, you have a piccolo that works with you that you can play outside.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Great sound
- Suitable for beginners
- Durable
- Well made
Cons
- Expensive for what it is
- Not the warmest sound
Who the Yamaha YPC-32 Is For
The Yamaha YPC-32 is a fantastic piccolo for beginners who want some sort of lip plate. I don’t think a lip plate is necessary to make playing the piccolo easier, but some musicians prefer it.
It’s one of the best piccolos for marching band, and you can play it in other outdoor settings. The model is also suitable for casual players as well as woodwind doublers who need a decent piccolo.
If you’re a more advanced or serious player, you can make your backup piccolo a Yamaha YPC-32. Then, you’ll still have a good instrument to use if you need to get maintenance done on your main piccolo.
Who the Yamaha YPC-32 Is Not For
The Yamaha YPC-32 piccolo is not for beginners on a tight budget. You’d bet better off looking at some used models or piccolos that cost less than $1,000.
On the other end of the spectrum, the piccolo isn’t the best for professionals or other serious players. It can be hard to blend the metal headjoint with the sound of other instruments.
Plus, if you’re serious about the piccolo, you may want to look into a professional or intermediate model. There are some that are pretty affordable, so you don’t have to break the bank.
Where to Buy the Yamaha YPC-32
When buying a piccolo, a Yamaha YPC-32 is almost always available at a local music store or national chain. You can also find the model at many specialty flute shops.
Another option is to look online at music stores or more general retailers. Then, you can compare prices to see if one dealer offers it at a slightly better price than another.
However, make sure to buy from a reputable dealer. I’ve heard of some instrument scams, especially with Yamahas, where the scammer will put the Yamaha logo on their cheap piccolo, and you may not know the difference.
New vs. Used
You should also consider if you want to buy a new or used piccolo. A new piccolo is almost guaranteed to be in good condition when you purchase it, so you shouldn’t have to spend a lot on repairs.
However, it will have a higher upfront cost compared to a used piccolo. If you buy a used Yamaha, it may cost less, but it might need extensive repairs that could cost more than a new model.
When buying a used piccolo, be sure to test it yourself or have a piccolo teacher test it. That way, you can make sure the piccolo is worth what the seller is asking for, and you can decide if it’s worth buying.
How It Compares to Other Yamaha Piccolos
When looking at piccolos like the Yamaha YPC-32, you may wonder about other models from the same brand. Luckily, Yamaha makes a variety of piccolos to suit different needs.
Here’s what you should know about some of the other popular Yamaha piccolo models.
Yamaha YPC-62
The Yamaha YPC-62 is an intermediate wood piccolo with a grenadilla headjoint and body. You can choose between a traditional and wave headjoint, so there’s no lip plate.
But it’s much easier to blend this piccolo with other instruments than the YPC-32. If you’re looking for a piccolo for orchestra or another indoor ensemble, this might be a better choice.
Of course, it’s more expensive, but it has a lot of the same features, such as a split E mechanism. The silver-plated keys keep the piccolo from being too expensive, and it’s more affordable than other wood models.
Yamaha YPC-81
If you’re looking for a Yamaha piccolo in the professional range, you may want to try the Yamaha YPC-81. It has a lot of the same specs as the 62, but it’s handmade.
That means there are smaller adjustments the makers did to help this piccolo play well. I’d recommend this piccolo for serious flute players who need a relatively affordable professional piccolo.
You can get a pretty good sound out of this instrument, so you can do a lot with it. Like any other wood piccolo, blending with other instruments is easy, especially with practice.
Best Piccolo: Yamaha YPC-32 FAQs
If you’re still deciding if your ideal piccolo is the Yamaha YPC-32, here are some questions and answers to help you decide.
Why Is the YPC-32 So Expensive?
The Yamaha YPC-32 is expensive for what it is, and you’ll find similar models for hundreds of dollars less. However, Yamaha uses good manufacturing processes.
This piccolo can be very durable, so you can put it through a lot before needing repairs. So you could get more use out of it compared to a cheaper piccolo with similar specs.
When Should You Get a Yamaha YPC-32?
You should look into the Yamaha YPC-32 when getting your first piccolo. It’s a good choice if you don’t want to borrow a piccolo from a teacher or your school.
Another time when you may want this model is if you started on a cheap piccolo and need some sort of upgrade. The model can also work well as a backup, so if you have a wood piccolo but no other model, you may want to buy a plastic instrument.
What If You Don’t Sound Good on the Yamaha YPC-32?
Not every piccolo will work well with every piccolo players. If possible, try a Yamaha YPC-32 before you buy one, or buy a piccolo from a store with a good return policy.
That way, you’ll be able to test the piccolo for yourself to see if it responds well to you and your embouchure. If it doesn’t work out, you can look for other piccolos to try.
Does the YPC-32 Play the Same as the Wood Yamaha Piccolos?
The YPC-32 may share some similarities with the wood Yamaha piccolos. However, the metal and plastic can sound significantly different from wood.
Also, the lip plate may affect the sound and response of the piccolo. Be sure to test out various Yamaha models to see which you like the best.
Is the Best Piccolo the Yamaha YPC-32?
When looking for the best piccolo, the Yamaha YPC-32 may come up in your search. For some players, this piccolo suits their needs better than any other model.
However, you may find that this model isn’t as good of a fit for you. Be sure to try it for yourself and compare it to other piccolos to make sure you select the right instrument.