Joining the horn section with a melodica?

[Josh Paxton]

One of the bands I play with has gone from three horns down to two trumpet and either alto or tenor, depending on the song. Most of the time this works fine, but there are a few songs where the missing part is a noticeable absence. For those I've been exploring different options for filling in for it on keys either on organ, or with a mellow sawtooth synth sound that blends in inconspicuously. But I've started wondering about the possibility of using a melodica. I've been meaning to get one anyway for unrelated reasons, so I just ordered one. But I'm wondering if anyone else has tried that, and what kind of success you had?

[mate stubb]

Never thought of trying that, should sound neat. Also, even the lamest synth horn patch would sound fine playing the 3rd part with 2 real horns.

[phattbuzz]

I use a melodica quite often when I play at a bluegrass jam. You can think of it as either a chromatic harmonica with a keyboard or half an accordion that you have to blow into. I usually have to introduce the audience to the melodica at some point. Sometimes after playing for a while you get some blues notes out of it unintentionally. If you blow a bit harder you can solve that problem. Although sometimes the blues notes just work! Of course one of the downsides is that you can't harmonize vocal-wise while playing it. Most of the time when you hear a band that has a harp player and horns they don't work as a section and accordions and horns work great for polkas. All kidding aside, you should definitely try it. Could be quite interesting especially if you're doing original material. And remember it is fully polyphonic so you can fill out the horn section nicely.

 

[marino]

I did it once, a lifetime ago. The 'horn' section was trumpet, tenor sax, and melodica... I don't even remember what instrument I was replacing - probably an alto sax. Timbrally the combination is not ideal, as the melodica has a less 'noble' sound than brass or saxes, and it sounds softer too. But in an emergency it can work... plus, I had one the most fun experiences of my entire musical life.

 

I would just make sure that the melodica is *not* playing the top part, and that it's in tune with the others.

[harmonizer]

I consider the trombone the easiest of the three common horn types (trumpet, sax, trombone) for which to find a passable synth patch, for cases where the three horns are playing ensemble parts and the trombone part is not supposed to stick out.

[El Lobo]

Consider a Roland Lucina. https://www.roland.com/us/products/lucina_ax-09/ They're discontinued and were selling for less than $200. But they have some nice horn sounds in them as well as other good Roland sounds. Then you can stand next to the 2 other horn players and play the 3rd part like a 3-piece section.

[stoken6]

even the lamest synth horn patch would sound fine playing the 3rd part with 2 real horns.

 

This. I play synth brass with a sax player, and it's OK by my standards.

 

Cheers, Mike.

[RudyS]

even the lamest synth horn patch would sound fine playing the 3rd part with 2 real horns.

 

This. I play synth brass with a sax player, and it's OK by my standards.

 

Cheers, Mike.

 

Yes, I agree. Did this as well. Also, one time I did the same with strings. Used a string section from my JV1080 and a real violin player as lead. Sounded awesome.

 

I use my Melodica in my jazzy/pop combo solo. Just as to have a different sound ones in a while. What kind did you buy? Be prepared that it comes out of tune.... (unless you spend serious $$$).

[yannis D]

I believe melodica will do the job.

 

And don't only think about the sound, think also about the visuals: It's much better audiencewise to see a guy standing next to the horns and blow his melodica, than see a guy hidden behind his keys faking trombone/sax/whatever sounds on a rompler. It gives more life to the general image. And it makes more sence IMO. Just try to play in the middle register of the melodica and have it tuned

[bourniplus]

Every time I've joined other horns with my melodica it's been a blast. With a tenor and a trumpet I'm guessing your voice should be in the middle.

As Yannis says it also looks cool on stage. I prefer the tubeless approach, I find it reacts quicker and it looks even more like a horn.

[Tusker]

I haven't played in this context, but this thread is inspiring me to have the courage to try it someday.

 

Here's a little Jon Batiste perspective on what the instrument can become ...

 

[video:youtube]x4wmh0PULws

 

 

[Josh Paxton]

And don't only think about the sound, think also about the visuals: It's much better audiencewise to see a guy standing next to the horns and blow his melodica, than see a guy hidden behind his keys faking trombone/sax/whatever sounds on a rompler.

 

I doubt I'll get to do that much, since I still have to cover the keys parts at the same time. I'll probably end up having it mounted somewhere and using the tube, so I can still play organ with the left hand.

 

I also got a little multi-effects unit to run it through, just to see what kinds of crazy sounds I can coax out of it... mua-ha-haaa! Man, those things have gotten cheap!

[yannis D]

And don't only think about the sound, think also about the visuals: It's much better audiencewise to see a guy standing next to the horns and blow his melodica, than see a guy hidden behind his keys faking trombone/sax/whatever sounds on a rompler.

 

I doubt I'll get to do that much, since I still have to cover the keys parts at the same time. I'll probably end up having it mounted somewhere and using the tube, so I can still play organ with the left hand.

 

I also got a little multi-effects unit to run it through, just to see what kinds of crazy sounds I can coax out of it... mua-ha-haaa! Man, those things have gotten cheap!

 

 

You and the audience gonna miss the fan factor... In this case better play a horn sound on your romper IMO

[David R]

Just did it the other week - the groove started and I wasn't sure what to play on keyboards so I went over and joined the horn section.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKmntG6j5hv/

 

EDIT: I also have to mention that I am a huge fan of the Charlie Hunter album Right Now Move where the horn section is trombone, tenor and harmonica. I think that also rewired my brain a certain way

[MathOfInsects]

As someone with unabashed love for melodica(s)...I don't think you ever quite get past the sonic "melodica-ness" when you play with the horns. The sound is cool, but not the locked in unit of an all-brass section. So if it's "cool and different" you're after...man, go for it. (I also leave mine static and just use the tube, so I have my LH free.) But if it's the section you're after, I think organ might punch and lock better.

 

All just MHO, of course...

[GovernorSilver]

I still want to get a melodica, though I've lowered my ambitions/expectations from that $400-something Hammond.

[Threadslayer]

I'm interested and a bit surprised that a couple of people have mentioned melodicas not being in tune. Why would this be? Isn't it basically a harmonica with keys?

[nickd]

I used to play some melodica in a soul band on a few tunes, and it always got some kind of audience response... typically people coming up afterwards saying "what is that?!"

[El Lobo]

I'm interested and a bit surprised that a couple of people have mentioned melodicas not being in tune. Why would this be? Isn't it basically a harmonica with keys?

Yes, it has metal reeds like a harmonica so like a harmonica the reeds go out of tune. But in a melodica the reeds are bigger and so go further out of tune than in a harmonica.

 

That's my version of reality, anyway ... and I'm sticking to it.

 

Turns out there are several vids on utoob and blogs about how to tune a melodica.

[WesG]

Why would you want to replace just one horn? Replace the whole orchestra!

 

[video:youtube]

 

 

 

[stillplaying]

I considered the Hammond with the pickup but went for a very affordable Hohner Student 32 instead. Just play it into a mic. It'll work with the horns fine. Join the horns, stand beside them, don't do the left hand organ thing - the audience will love it. Folk will ask you about it afterwards.

[GovernorSilver]

I'm interested and a bit surprised that a couple of people have mentioned melodicas not being in tune. Why would this be? Isn't it basically a harmonica with keys?

 

Aside from the point already made about the reeds, you have some control over intonation by how far you press a key down - the basic technique for pitch bend on a melodica.

[Josh Paxton]

Join the horns, stand beside them, don't do the left hand organ thing - the audience will love it.

 

Now that I think about it, I probably will do that for at least a couple tunes, given that this band went without keys entirely for the first 12 years of their existence!

[16251]

Why would you want to replace just one horn? Replace the whole orchestra!

 

[video:youtube]

 

 

I was just going to post this in a thread. Wow, the power of Stravinsky's music. Even on melodica, the emotion is all there.

[CEB]

I've been meaning to see stick a piezo transducer on my Melodica an see if I can use it without feedback issue. I hate being tied to a mic and vocally I use a headset mic.

[Reezekeys]

My .02: melodica might be an interesting sound to blend with horns. But, a melodica can't do some of the typical horn articulations - especially the attacks. Staccato? It would be interesting to hear melodicas doing a TOP horn section type tune, but it wouldn't sound much like what we think of as a "horn section" IMO.

 

I mean, don't let that stop you! It could lead to some different and interesting sounds but I wouldn't do it expecting to sound like a "horn."

[MathOfInsects]

I've been meaning to see stick a piezo transducer on my Melodica an see if I can use it without feedback issue. I hate being tied to a mic and vocally I use a headset mic.

 

I use a piezo. I mount it right under the mouthpiece stem--otherwise, you pick up too much key-click. (Another option is the little bit of surface area just beyond the highest note, though this takes more gain, and every time you move the melodica, you broadcast that movement over the mains.)

 

I'd imagine one of those bell-mics from brass instruments would be the best option--mount it below the bottom a couple of inches away, so you're getting sound but not key click. Of course, you can't put the melodica down if you do this, and will pick up lots of ambient sound. Other than that, awesome idea, MOI.

 

[keyman27]

What band is it? If you're allowed to tell us outside of Shameless Plugs, that is.

[Josh Paxton]

What band is it? If you're allowed to tell us outside of Shameless Plugs, that is.

 

I don't think it's against the rules, but if it is, at least I can point at you and tell the playground monitor, "He MADE me do it!" It's Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. (Not providing a link because if it is bending any rule, I don't want to bend it too far.)

[Joe Muscara]

Is this the band you're playing with on the Saturday before I'll be in town? It looks like they have a big show at Tipitina's that night (the 22nd).