We have performed cw resonance and pulse‐echo measurements on magnetostatic waves in short, axially magnetized YIG rods which do, and do not, contain a turning point. The results are compared with a simple theory which includes the effects of the radial variation of the demagnetizing field. The agreement is generally satisfactory except for the magnetostatic mode spacing when the rod contains a turning point. In this latter case the agreement is only qualitative.