Yamaha YVS-140 Tonor Venova Owner’s Manual

YAMAHA YVS-140 Tonor Venova

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Yamaha Tenor Venova™.
The Venova is a totally new type of wind instrument that offers expressiveness of single-reed instrument using a simple recorder-like fingering system. Compared to conventional wind instruments, it offers easier maintenance and greater durability. With its deeper bass sounds than the Alto Venova, the Tenor Venova lets you enjoy performing music in a wonderfully new way.
For instruction on the proper assembly of the instrument, and how to keep the instrument in optimum condition for as long as possible, we urge you to read this Owner’s Manual thoroughly. After reading it, keep it in a safe place for future reference.
* This book contains notes on caring for and handling of the Tenor Venova.
Refer to the separate booklet “Let’s play Venova™ !” for more information on how to play the instrument.

PRECAUTIONS

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING Keep this manual in a safe and handy place for future reference.

CAUTION
Always follow the basic precautions listed below to avoid the possibility of physical injury to you or others, or damage to the instrument or other property. These precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Handling caution

• Never throw the instrument at others or swing the instrument about. Doing so can injure others and may result in a lost mouthpiece or other parts. Always handle the instrument with care.
• Never sit or stand on the instrument or place heavy objects on it. Doing so can damage the instrument and injure you and others.
•  Do not swing the case. Doing so may result in accident or injury.

Yamaha cannot be held responsible for damage caused by improper use or modifications to the instrument, or data that is lost or destroyed.

Notes on Using the Instrument

Follow the points listed below to prevent instrument malfunction and damage.

Notes on Handling the Instrument

• Do not expose the instrument to extremely high temperatures such as near a heater, or direct sunlight (such as in a car during the day), and extremely low temperatures. Also, do not expose to excessive dust or vibrations. Doing so can deform and/or deteriorate the instrument hindering performance.
• Do not place objects made of vinyl, plastic, or rubber on top of the instrument. Doing so can discolor and/or alter of the instrument.
• Generally, though most chemicals should not be used for cleaning (see below), rubbing alcohol can be used, but only for lightly wiping the surface. Wipe thoroughly with a dry polishing cloth so that no solution or water remains. The remaining solution or water could result in surface discoloration or degradation of the instrument.

Notes on Caring for the Instrument

• When cleaning the instrument, use a soft and dry/slightly damp cloth.
• Never use paint thinners or other solvents, detergents, or chemically treated dust cloths to clean the instrument. Doing so could result in discoloration and/or deterioration of the instrument.
• Do not put the instrument in a dishwasher or in boiling water. Doing so could result in deformation and/or deterioration and could hinder proper performance of the instrument.

Keeping the Instrument in Good Condition

Follow the instructions on proper care and handling below, to ensure that the instrument will remain in optimum condition for a long time.

• Before assembling the instrument, use a cloth to remove any dust or foreign substance from the joint section.
• After playing, remove moisture from inside the instrument.
• Inspect and clean the instrument regularly (page 8).

Nomenclature

Accessories

Mouthpiece cap ×1

Since both the reed and the mouthpiece may be damaged easily, make sure to cover them with the mouthpiece cap when storing the instrument or any time it is not being played.

Owner’s Manual (this booklet) ×1
“Let’s play Venova™ !” (separate booklet) ×1

Removing the Instrument from the Case and Assembling

Remove the top and bottom of the body, which is secured with rubber bands inside the case.

The mouthpiece is stored in an inner pocket.
Join the upper and lower bodies. Make sure that the groove shape on the upper body and the marking on lower body are aligned.

Before Playing

Attaching the Mouthpiece

Use a cloth to remove any dust or foreign substance from the neck joint before attaching the mouthpiece.
Grasp the mouthpiece firmly, and twist it from side to side as you slide it onto the neck joint until it stops at the body.
Twist and pull the mouthpiece from side to side when you remove it. Attaching or pulling the mouthpiece straight could result in damage to the rubber of the neck joint.

Slide the ligature onto the mouth-piece from its tapered end.
Attach the reed onto the mouthpiece.
First, place the reed so that the top edge of the mouthpiece is visible over the end of the reed, and then tighten the ligature screws (2) to secure the reed.

For more detailed instructions on attaching the reed, refer to the accompanying “Let’s play Venova™ !” booklet.

About Tuning

If the instrument needs to be tuned to another pitch, it can be tuned lower by pulling the mouthpiece slightly away from the body. Since the temperature of the inside of the instrument affects the tuning (particularly when cold), blow into the instrument to warm it before tuning it.

Take care not to pull the mouthpiece too far out. Pulling too far can result in poor pitch balance and make it dif-ficult to play.
Slide this out to lower the pitch (but avoid sliding it out too far)

Laying the Instrument Down

When the instrument is not being played, place it on a flat surface as shown in the illustration below. Do not place the instru-ment on a chair, music stand, or other such unstable surfaces, as there is a risk of the instrument falling. Also, never lean the instrument up against a wall, etc.

After Playing

Instrument Maintenance after Playing

• After playing, always loosen the ligature and remove the reed from the mouthpiece then wipe dry with gauze. Remove the ligature from the mouthpiece as well.
•  Take care not to damage the end of the mouthpiece.
•  Remove the mouthpiece from the instrument and clean the inside of the mouthpiece with a soft cloth.
• Turn and pull the mouthpiece from side to side when you remove it. Attaching or pulling the mouthpiece straight could result in damage to the rubber of the neck joint.
•  Before cleaning inside the instrument, the body should be separated into two. Clean the inside the instrument with the supplied cleaning swab.
• To separate the body, twist the lower body off the upper body. If you try to separate them without twisting, the rubber parts may break.

Using the Cleaning Swab

1. For the upper body, insert the end of the ball chain from the neck joint. For the lower body, insert the end of the ball chain from the foot of the instrument.
2.  Gently shake the body so that the ball chain comes out of the opposite end.
3.  Pull-on the ball chain gently so that the cleaning swab can remove moisture and dirt from the inside of the body.
   Pulling the cleaning swab too fast can result in the swab becoming stuck in the body.
   Always keep the cleaning swab clean and dry

Use a soft cloth to wipe off the joint sections.

• Use a soft cloth to wipe the instrument surface. Take care to avoid applying excessive force on the keys.
•  Both the mouthpiece and body are washable. After washing, use a cleaning swab or a soft cloth to thoroughly remove moisture.

Putting the Instrument in the Case

First, remove the mouthpiece from the body, and then secure the body inside the case with the rubber bands at the top and bottom. The shape of the product is shown in white on the inside of the case.

Store the mouthpiece in the inner pocket (shown above).

Storage Precautions

Make sure that you wipe off any moisture, grease, or foreign substance before putting the instrument in the case. Also avoid keeping the instrument in a location where it may be exposed to extremely high or low temperatures.

About the Reed

Replace the reed supplied with the instrument with a new one if the tip becomes damaged or it no longer vibrates well. In addition to resin reeds, reeds made of cane can also be used.

Rubber parts on joints

The rubber parts on joints may become loose or broken depending on usage. If this happens, replace them with new ones.

Separately Sold Accessories

Yamaha offers a wide variety of accessories to enrich your playing experience. Here is a selection of accessories created especially for the Tenor Venova. Please give them a try.